Magnetic nanobeads: Synthesis and application in biomedicine

Nanobiotechnology appears to be an emerging science which leads to new developments in the field of medicine. Importance of the magnetic nanomaterials in biomedical science cannot be overlooked. The most commonly used chemical methods to synthesize drugable magnetic nanobeads are co-precipitation, thermal decomposition and microemulsion. However monodispersion, selection of an appropriate coating material for in vivo application, stability and unique physical properties like size, shape and composition of nanobeads remain unsettled challenge. The use of hazardous reagents during chemical synthesis is another impediment for in vivo application of the magnetic nanobeads. The current minireview put forth the pros and cons of chemical and biological synthesis of magnetic nanobeads. We critically focus on chemical and biological methods of synthesis of the magnetic nanobeads along with their biomedical applications and subsequently suggest a suitable synthetic approach for potential biocompatible nanobeads. Biogenic synthesis is proposed to be the best option which generates biocompatible nanobeads. Reducing enzymes present in plants, plant materials or microbes reduce precursor inorganic salts to nano sized materials. These nanomaterials exhibit biomolecules on their surface. The use of biologically synthesized magnetic nanobeads in diagnostics and therapeutics would be safe for human and ecosystem.