Title : Turning waste into nanomaterials: A green synthesis approach using organic waste and mushroom extracts for applications in drug delivery, wound healing, and environmental cleanup

One of the recurring problems in nanotechnology is that most conventional methods for making nanoparticles rely on harsh chemicals, high temperatures, and expensive reagents — approaches that are difficult to scale and leave behind toxic waste. This study started from a different angle: rather than purchasing precursors, we used organic waste materials readily available from kitchens, farms, and gardens as natural reducing and stabilizing agents for nanoparticle synthesis. Alongside this, we explored mushroom-based biosynthesis as a complementary route, since mushrooms can be grown on kitchen or garden waste with no specialized equipment, and their extracts are naturally rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, and enzymes suited for this purpose. Using both approaches, we synthesized silver (AgNPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), copper oxide (CuO NPs), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and iron oxide nanoparticles, confirmed through UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX analyses.

The synthesized nanoparticles were then evaluated for drug delivery potential and cytotoxicity. In drug delivery studies, they showed reasonable biocompatibility and controlled release behavior in animal models. Cytotoxicity testing against selected cell lines revealed dose-dependent effects, with selective toxicity toward cancerous cells and acceptable margins in normal cells.

Future work will extend this research into wound healing formulations and environmental remediation, including water and soil pollution treatment. The broader aim is straightforward: waste that currently serves no purpose can be turned into materials with real therapeutic and environmental value, at a fraction of the cost of conventional approaches.

Ms. Aqsa Zafar works as a Visiting Lecturer at Kohsar University Murree, Pakistan. She holds an MS degree in Biosciences with a focus on Nanobiotechnology. Her research largely revolves around producing nanoparticles through green and biogenic routes and then testing them for biomedical and environmental uses. To date, she has published eight research articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Inorganic Chemistry Communications and BioNanoScience, covering topics such as nanoparticle synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and toxicological assessment.