To attain sustainability, green nanotechnology uses nanomaterials in conjunction with the biosynthesis of nanomaterials from naturally occurring bioactive agents, such as plant extracts, microorganisms, agricultural wastes, eggshells, vegetable peels, fruit peels and other biowaste. The large number of applications of metal nanoparticles in biological sciences and their broad utilisations across different fields, has sparked a wide field of interest. In order to conjugate these materials with antibodies, ligands and drugs of interest, they can be fabricated and modified with different chemical functional groups. This indicates a large number of future uses in different fields, such as biotechnology, magnetic separation, the pre‑concentration of target analytes, the targeted confinement of drugs, and vehicles for gene and drug delivery, although most importantly, diagnostic imaging. In the present review, applications of different metal nanoparticles, such as silver, gold, palladium, platinum, iron, selenium and copper synthesised using green methods are discussed. The present review also discusses the current challenges and future prospects of green synthesised metal nanoparticles. It is hoped that this information will prove to be helpful for promoting a sustainable environment. This will assist in the application of metal nanoparticles in different fields.
