Biological synthesis of copper nanoparticles using plants, microorganisms and other natural resources

Abstract

This article summarizes current approaches to the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using various biological systems.The study materials consisted of scientific publications indexed in international scientometric databases. The methodology was based on the systematization, comparative analysis, and generalization of research findings related to the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles. Articles published between 2020 and 2025 were used for the preparation of this review.It was established that various biological systems (extracts of plants, food products and food waste, algae, mushrooms, microorganisms, and their metabolic products) contain a wide range of biologically active compounds, including polyphenols, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes, and organic acids, which can simultaneously act as reducing and stabilizing agents during the formation of copper nanoparticles. It was shown that the choice of biological system and biosynthesis parameters, including medium pH, temperature, concentration and chemical nature of the precursor, biosynthesis duration, and component ratio, significantly affect the size, morphology, degree of aggregation, colloidal stability, and properties of the synthesized copper nanoparticles. Particular attention was paid to the mechanisms of copper ion bioreduction, as well as the formation and stabilization of nanoparticles when different biological systems are used for their biosynthesis. The analyzed data indicate that aqueous extracts of plants, food products, and food waste are promising materials for the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles due to their availability, low cost, and high content of natural reducing compounds. The use of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and yeast) for nanoparticle biosynthesis provides better control over the formation of nanostructures with desired sizes and properties. The generalization of current research results confirms the significant potential of biosynthesized copper nanoparticles for the development of functional nanomaterials that can be applied in the food industry, agriculture, and environmental technologies. At the same time, despite significant advances in the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles, further studies are required to facilitate the transition of these technologies from laboratory-scale investigations to industrial applications.The results of this review can be used for the further development of effective biotechnological approaches to nanomaterial synthesis in the context of sustainable development.