  The present era has witnessed a new dawn in technology innovations with the
entry and use of nanomaterials in the industries and in the products used and
to be used in day-to-day life creating a huge possibility of ending up in the
food chain. Several studies in the past has highlighted toxicity of
nanomaterials due to their size. However, we cannot stop technological
advancements provided by the nanomaterials fulfilling human needs but can find
a solution to the toxicity of the nanomaterials for a better future and safe
environment. In this study, we propose capping of nanomaterials to reduce the
toxicity without compromising their functionality. Capping of the nanomaterials
is used to passivate nanomaterials but the same capping also helps in the
reduction of surface reactivity leading to low toxicity. We studied
phytotoxicity in the presence of one of the most extensively used metal
nanoparticles (copper nanoparticles) on Eleusine corcana G. (finger millet) and
Paspalum scrobiculatum L. (Kodo millet). Copper nanoparticles were synthesized
by the hydrometallurgical methods. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was
used to cap the nanoparticles during the synthesis. In vitro studies results
showed that the toxicity of copper nanoparticles is significantly reduced after
capping. Anti-bacterial activity studies showed no change in efficacy of copper
nanoparticles after capping. This study highlights the use of capping to reduce
the toxicity of nanomaterials without sacrificing their required applicability.
