Marine microbes: Invisible nanofactories

Biological synthesis of nanoparticles has emerged as rapidly developing research area in nanotechnology across the globe with various biological entities being employed in production of nanoparticles constantly forming an impute alternative for conventional methods. Simple prokaryotes to complex eukaryotic organisms including higher plants are used for the fabrication of nanoparticles. One area of untapped potential is marine microorganism as nanofactories to fabricate nanoparticles. Marine microorganisms are known to interact with metal ions as marine ecosystems are constantly exposed to high metal salt concentration. These microorganisms may reduce the metallic ions rapidly for the formation of nanoparticles of desired shape and controlled size. The present review unearths marine microbial flora in synthesis of nanoparticles.