US Patent 9637807 Synthesis of metal nanoparticles using an extract of terfeziaceae

A method of preparing metal nanoparticles using an extract of desert truffles (Terfeziaceae) includes providing an aqueous solution including a metal salt; and combining an extract of Terfeziaceae with the aqueous metal salt solution to produce the metal nanoparticles. The metal salt can be silver nitrate (AgNO3) and the metal nanoparticles can be silver nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles can have a mean diameter in the range of from about 5 nm to about 100 nm. The silver nanoparticles can be used as an antimicrobial agent and/or an anti-parasitic agent.