Reduction of chalcogen oxyanions and biogenesis of nanoparticles by Ochrobactrum sp. MPV1

Metal nanoparticles have been produced using chemical and physical methods for many years. However, the exploitation of strong reducing agents may lead to undesired toxicity issues. It is, therefore, important to develop alternative and ecofriendly methods . Recently biosynthetic methods employing microorganisms have emerged as simple and viable alternative to produce metal/metalloid nanoparticles. In particular, the chalcogens selenium and tellurium in their elemental forms exhibited interesting antimicrobi al activity. Moreover, nanoparticles produced with these elements show intriguing optoelectronic and semiconducting properties.