Mangrove synthesized bio-nanomaterial and its applications: A review
Supriya Vaish, Bhawana Pathak
Abstract
Mangroves are a transitional ecosystem between terrestrial and marine environments, hosting a rich diversity of flora and fauna that adapt to both environments and are considered biodiversity hotspots. These groups of salt-tolerant flora are found on protected shorelines. Mangroves minimize environmental disasters, including cyclones and tsunamis, from damaging the coastline. Between the shorelines and the intertidal zone, mangroves act as CO2 sinks. Mangroves are threatened by various anthropogenic pressures and pollution due to industrial effluents discharged near coastal ecosystems, affecting microorganisms' taxonomic and functional diversity and the mangrove ecosystem stability. Mangrove microorganisms and plant enzymatic activities have the potential for various biotechnological and environmental applications. Mangrove resources are promising for synthesizing bio-nanomaterials using bioactive compounds and can be helpful for environmental and biomedical applications. Bio-nanomaterials synthesized from mangroves are highly efficient in biomedical applications and environmental decontamination. Bio-nanomaterials are synthesized using mangrove and several biomolecules derived from mangrove plants as precursors for nanoparticle synthesis. Due to high surface area, biocompatibility, and low toxicity, bio-nanomaterials synthesized from biomolecules have advantages for the sustainable utilization of mangroves. The present review paper highlights the potential application of mangroves as a natural resource for synthesizing bio-nanomaterials towards a greener approach for various environmental applications.