Ficus: A Potent Genus in the Green Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract

Field of nanotechnology is alluring the attraction of the scientific field due to its wide range of application in various fields. India being one among the part of biodiversity-rich areas of the world, exploring its diversity for scientific research is most important. Scientific literature, as well as tradition, open doors to the importance of the genus Ficus L. due to the specific phytochemical contents and various bioactivities. Metal nanoparticle synthesis has different methods including physicochemical mode of nanoparticle synthesis.  Green synthesis using an ecofriendly method which, reduces hazardous chemicals can only be possible by biosynthesis from plants or other life forms like bacteria, fungus, algae etc. In comparison with microorganisms different plant parts like leaf, bark, fruits, and flowers with various phytochemicals are more suitable due to easiness in their availability and cultivation. For novel innovations, combining these specific phytochemicals to the field of nanotechnology for green synthesis of metal nanoparticles had become a need of time. Previous literature from the genus Ficus enumerates the potential of specific phytochemicals of these genera in various fields. Combining this information in the production of metal nanoparticles will be very useful due to the scarcity of researches in the field of nano biotechnology from the genus. This is a mini-review with the available literature on the genus Ficus in the field of nanotechnology.