Department of Biotechnology, Uttaranchal College of Applied and Lifesciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun

In recent past significant amount of research has been conducted pertaining to synthesis of nanoparticles and their utility owing to their widespread application.  Alongwith their application in healthcare and medicine mainly as drug carriers, potential to act as potent catalyst, role in bioremediation etc there has been a simultaneous concern related to their effect on environment upon their release. Studies conducted have implicated both positive effect as well as negative effect of nanoparticles on environment. The present review summarizes as to how the release of nanoparticles synthesized from different sources will influence the ecosystem and their potential impact on living organism once they enter into foodchain. Plant and soil microbes represent crucial component of ecosystem and effect of any chemical compound, biotic or abiotic factor on the same is of utmost importance. Hence with ongoing research so as to figure out the applications of nanoparticles simultaneous studies are required to assess their impact especially on plants, water and microbes.