Organic Waste as Reducing and Capping Agents for Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Various Applications

Currently, the large amount of organic waste produced represents one of the leading environmental problems. According to United Nations, every year a third of all food produced ends up rotting and, therefore, becoming waste. Its use and revalorization represent an attractive alternative in the search for solutions to this situation. In this context, these residues can be used to obtain extracts beneficial for nanotechnology, acting as a reducing and stabilizing agent to produce metal nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles by green synthesis, an ecofriendly and nontoxic method. Silver nanoparticles have been applied in applications as antibacterial, antifungal, and catalytic agents, as well as antioxidants, biosensors, and treatment of various diseases. Thus, this review contributes to fostering and promoting a sustainable environmental awareness through the reuse and revalorization of organic waste, which allows the sustainable biosynthesis of functional silver nanoparticles to be widely applied successfully in various fields of application.