Novel catalytically active Pd/Ru bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized by Bacillus benzeovorans

Theranostic aspects of palladium-based bimetallic nanoparticles in biomedical field: A state-of-the-art

The exploration of newer antibacterial strategies is driven by antibiotic-resistant microbes that cause serious public health issues. In recent years, nanoscale materials have developed as an alternative method to fight infections. Despite the fact that many nanomaterials have been discovered to be harmful, numerous researchers have shown a keen interest in nanoparticles (NPs) made of noble metals like silver, gold and platinum. To make environmentally safe NPs from plants, green chemistry and nanotechnology have been combined to address the issue of toxicity. The study of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) has increased tremendously in the past 10 years. The production of BNPs mediated by natural extracts is straightforward, low cost and environmentally friendly. Due to their low toxicity, safety and biological stability, noble BNPs with silver, gold, platinum and palladium have the potential to be used in biomedical applications. They have a significant impact on human health and are used in medicine and pharmacy due to their biological characteristics, which include catalytic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective and regenerative activity.

A novel functionalized CuTi hybrid nanocomposites: facile one-pot mycosynthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antifouling and wastewater disinfection performance

BACKGROUND

The continuous progress in nanotechnology is rapid and extensive with overwhelming futuristic aspects. Through modernizing inventive synthesis protocols, a paradigm leapfrogging in novelties and findings are channeled toward fostering human health and sustaining the surrounding environment. Owing to the overpricing and jeopardy of physicochemical synthesizing approaches, the quest for ecologically adequate schemes is incontestable. By developing environmentally friendly strategies, mycosynthesis of nanocomposites has been alluring.

RESULTS

Herein, a novel architecture of binary CuO and TiO2 in nanocomposites form was fabricated using bionanofactory Candida sp., for the first time. For accentuating the structural properties of CuTi nanocomposites (CuTiNCs), various characterization techniques were employed. UV-Vis spectroscopy detected SPR at 350 nm, and XRD ascertained the crystalline nature of a hybrid system. However, absorption peaks at 8, 4.5, and 0.5 keV confirmed the presence of Cu, Ti and oxygen, respectively, in an undefined assemblage of polygonal-spheres of 15-75 nm aggregated in the fungal matrix of biomolecules as revealed by EDX, SEM and TEM. However, FTIR, ζ-potential and TGA reflected long-term stability (- 27.7 mV) of self-functionalized CuTiNCs. Interestingly, a considerable and significant biocide performance was detected at 50 µg/mL of CuTiNCs against some human and plant pathogens, compared to monometallic counterparts. Further, CuTiNCs (200 µg/mL) ceased significantly the development of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans biofilms by 80.3 ± 1.4, 68.7 ± 3.0 and 55.7 ± 3.0%, respectively. Whereas, 64.63 ± 3.5 and 89.82 ± 4.3% antimicrofouling potentiality was recorded for 100 and 200 µg/ml of CuTiNCs, respectively; highlighting their destructive effect against marine microfoulers cells and decaying of their extracellular polymeric skeleton as visualized by SEM. Moreover, CuTiNCs (100 and 200 µg/ml) exerted significantly outstanding disinfection potency within 2 h by reducing the microbial load (i.e., total plate count, mold & yeast, total coliforms and faecal Streptococcus) in domestic and agricultural effluents reached >50%.

CONCLUSION

The synergistic efficiency provided by CuNPs and TiNPs in mycofunctionalized CuTiNCs boosted its recruitment as antiphytopathogenic, antibiofilm, antimicrofouling and disinfectant agent in various realms.

The potential role of biofilms in promoting fouling formation in radioactive discharge pipelines

Nuclear facility discharge pipelines accumulate inorganic and microbial fouling and radioactive contamination, however, research investigating the mechanisms that lead to their accumulation is limited. Using the Sellafield discharge pipeline as a model system, this study utilised modified Robbins devices to investigate the potential interplay between inorganic and biological processes in supporting fouling formation and radionuclide uptake. Initial experiments showed polyelectrolytes (present in pipeline effluents), had minimal effects on fouling formation. Biofilms were, however, found to be the key component promoting fouling, leading to increased uptake of inorganic particulates and metal contaminants (Cs, Sr, Co, Eu and Ru) compared to a non-biofilm control system. Biologically-mediated uptake mechanisms were implicated in Co and Ru accumulation, with a potential bioreduced Ru species identified on the biofilm system. This research emphasised the key role of biofilms in promoting fouling in discharge pipelines, advocating for the use of biocide treatments methods.

Anticancer activity of lactoferrin-coated biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles for combating different human cancer cells via mediating apoptotic effects

The present study aims to develop a novel nanocombination with high selectivity against several invasive cancer cells, sparing normal cells and tissues. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) has recently captured the interest of numerous medical fields owing to its biological activities and well-known immunomodulatory effects. BLF is an ideal protein to be encapsulated or adsorbed into selenium nanocomposites (Se NPs) in order to produce stable nanocombinations with potent anticancer effects and improved immunological functions. The biosynthesis of the functionalized Se NPs was achieved using Rhodotorula sp. strain MZ312359 via a simultaneous bio-reduction approach to selenium sodium salts. The physicochemical properties of Se NPs using SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV Vis, XRD, and EDX confirmed the formation of uniform agglomerated spheres with a size of 18-40 nm. Se NPs were successfully embedded in apo-LF (ALF), forming a novel nanocombination of ALF-Se NPs with a spherical shape and an average nanosize of less than 200 nm. The developed ALF-Se NPs significantly displayed an effective anti-proliferation efficiency against many cancer cells, including MCF-7, HepG-2, and Caco-2 cell lines, as compared to Se NPs and ALF in free forms. ALF-Se NPs showed a significant selectivity impact (> 64) against all treated cancer cells at IC₅₀ 63.10 ≤ μg/mL, as well as the strongest upregulation of p53 and suppression of Bcl-2, MMP-9, and VEGF genes. Besides, ALF-Se NPs were able to show the maximum activation of transcrition of key redox mediator (Nrf2) with suppression in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels inside all treated cancer cells. This study demonstrates that this novel nanocombination of ALF-Se NPs has superior selectivity and apoptosis-mediating anticancer activity over free ALF or individual form of Se NPs.

Electrochemically assisted production of biogenic palladium nanoparticles for the catalytic removal of micropollutants in wastewater treatment plants effluent

Biogenic palladium nanoparticles (bio-Pd NPs) are used for the reductive transformation and/or dehalogenation of persistent micropollutants. In this work, H₂ (electron donor) was produced in situ by an electrochemical cell, permitting steered production of differently sized bio-Pd NPs. The catalytic activity was first assessed by the degradation of methyl orange. The NPs showing the highest catalytic activity were selected for the removal of micropollutants from secondary treated municipal wastewater. The synthesis at different H₂ flow rates (0.310 L/hr or 0.646 L/hr) influenced the bio-Pd NPs size. The NPs produced over 6 hr at a low H₂ flow rate had a larger size (D50 = 39.0 nm) than those produced in 3 hr at a high H₂ flow rate (D50 = 23.2 nm). Removal of 92.1% and 44.3% of methyl orange was obtained after 30 min for the NPs with sizes of 39.0 nm and 23.2 nm, respectively. Bio-Pd NPs of 39.0 nm were used to treat micropollutants present in secondary treated municipal wastewater at concentrations ranging from µg/L to ng/L. Effective removal of 8 compounds was observed: ibuprofen (69.5%) < sulfamethoxazole (80.6%) < naproxen (81.4%) < furosemide (89.7%) < citalopram (91.7%) < diclofenac (91.9%) < atorvastatin (> 94.3%) < lorazepam (97.2%). Removal of fluorinated antibiotics occurred at > 90% efficiency. Overall, these data indicate that the size, and thus the catalytic activity of the NPs can be steered and that the removal of challenging micropollutants at environmentally relevant concentrations can be achieved through the use of bio-Pd NPs.

Synthesis methods and applications of palladium nanoparticles: A review

Palladium (Pd) is a key component of many catalysts. Nanoparticles (NPs) offer a larger surface area than bulk materials, and with Pd cost increasing 5-fold in the last 10 years, Pd NPs are in increasing demand. Due to novel or enhanced physicochemical properties that Pd NPs exhibit at the nanoscale, Pd NPs have a wide range of applications not only in chemical catalysis, but also for example in hydrogen sensing and storage, and in medicine in photothermal, antibacterial, and anticancer therapies. Pd NPs, on the industrial scale, are currently synthesized using various chemical and physical methods. The physical methods require energy-intensive processes that include maintaining high temperatures and/or pressure. The chemical methods usually involve harmful solvents, hazardous reducing or stabilizing agents, or produce toxic pollutants and by-products. Lately, more environmentally friendly approaches for the synthesis of Pd NPs have emerged. These new approaches are based on the use of the reducing ability of phytochemicals and other biomolecules to chemically reduce Pd ions and form NPs. In this review, we describe the common physical and chemical methods used for the synthesis of Pd NPs and compare them to the plant- and bacteria-mediated biogenic synthesis methods. As size and shape determine many of the unique properties of Pd NPs on the nanoscale, special emphasis is given to the control of these parameters, clarifying how they impact current and future applications of this exciting nanomaterial.

Augmenting apoptosis-mediated anticancer activity of lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin by nanocombination with copper and iron hybrid nanometals

There is an urgent need in the medicinal fields to discover biocompatible nanoformulations with low cytotoxicity, which provide new strategies for promising therapies for several types of tumors. Bovine lactoperoxidase (LP) and lactoferrin (LF) have recently attracted attention in medicine for their antitumor activities with recognized safety pattern. Both LP and LF are suitable proteins to be coated or adsorbed to Cu and Fe nanometals for developing stable nanoformulations that boost immunity and strong anticancer effects. New nanometals of Cu and Fe NPs embedded in LP and LF forming novel nanocombinations of LP-CNPs and LF-FNPs had a spherical shape with an average nanosize of about 21 nm. The combination of LP-CNPs and LF-FNPs significantly exhibited the highest growth inhibitory efficacy, in terms of effectively lowering the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values, against Caco-2, HepG2 and MCF7 cells comparing to nanometals, LP, LF and individual nanoproteins (LP-CNPs or LF-FNPs). The highest apoptotic effect of this nanocombination (LP-CNPs and LF-FNPs) was confirmed by the highest percentages of annexin-stained apoptotic cells and G0 population with the strongest alteration in the expression of two well-characterized apoptosis guards (p53 and Bcl-2) and the maximum suppression in the proliferation marker (Ki-67). Also, the in silico analysis predicted that LP-CNPs and LF-FNPs enhanced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK, p53 activator) activity and inhibited cancer migration-related proteases (cathepsin B and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9). Our results offer for the first time that these novel nanocombinations of LP and LF were superior in their selectivity and apoptosis-mediating anticancer activity to Cu and Fe nanometals as well as the free form of these proteins or their individual nanoforms.

Coupled Biohydrogen Production and Bio-Nanocatalysis for Dual Energy from Cellulose: Towards Cellulosic Waste Up-Conversion into Biofuels

Hydrogen, an emergent alternative energy vector to fossil fuels, can be produced sustainably by fermentation of cellulose following hydrolysis. Fermentation feedstock was produced hydrolytically using hot compressed water. The addition of CO2 enhanced hydrolysis by ~26% between 240 and 260 °C with comparable hydrolysis products as obtained under N2 but at a 10 °C lower temperature. Co-production of inhibitory 5-hydromethyl furfural was mitigated via activated carbon sorption, facilitating fermentative biohydrogen production from the hydrolysate by Escherichia coli. Post-fermentation E. coli cells were recycled to biomanufacture supported Pd/Ru nanocatalyst to up-convert liquid-extracted 5-HMF to 2,5-dimethyl furan, a precursor of ‘drop in’ liquid fuel, in a one-pot reaction. This side stream up-valorisation mitigates against the high ‘parasitic’ energy demand of cellulose bioenergy, potentially increasing process viability via the coupled generation of two biofuels. This is discussed with respect to example data obtained via a hydrogen biotechnology with catalytic side stream up-conversion from cellulose feedstock.

Biotechnological synthesis of Pd-based nanoparticle catalysts

Palladium metal nanoparticles are excellent catalysts used industrially for reactions such as hydrogenation and Heck and Suzuki C-C coupling reactions. However, the global demand for Pd far exceeds global supply, therefore the sustainable use and recycling of Pd is vital. Conventional chemical synthesis routes of Pd metal nanoparticles do not meet sustainability targets due to the use of toxic chemicals, such as organic solvents and capping agents. Microbes are capable of bioreducing soluble high oxidation state metal ions to form metal nanoparticles at ambient temperature and pressure, without the need for toxic chemicals. Microbes can also reduce metal from waste solutions, revalorising these waste streams and allowing the reuse of precious metals. Pd nanoparticles supported on microbial cells (bio-Pd) can catalyse a wide array of reactions, even outperforming commercial heterogeneous Pd catalysts in several studies. However, to be considered a viable commercial option, the intrinsic activity and selectivity of bio-Pd must be enhanced. Many types of microorganisms can produce bio-Pd, although most studies so far have been performed using bacteria, with metal reduction mediated by hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase enzymes. Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) possess additional enzymes adapted for extracellular electron transport that potentially offer greater control over the properties of the nanoparticles produced. A recent and important addition to the field are bio-bimetallic nanoparticles, which significantly enhance the catalytic properties of bio-Pd. In addition, systems biology can integrate bio-Pd into biocatalytic processes, and processing techniques may enhance the catalytic properties further, such as incorporating additional functional nanomaterials. This review aims to highlight aspects of enzymatic metal reduction processes that can be bioengineered to control the size, shape, and cellular location of bio-Pd in order to optimise its catalytic properties.

Biotechnological synthesis of Pd/Ag and Pd/Au nanoparticles for enhanced Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling activity

Bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts have attracted considerable attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties. The ability of metal-reducing bacteria to produce highly catalytically active monometallic nanoparticles is well known; however, the properties and catalytic activity of bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized with these organisms is not well understood. Here, we report the one-pot biosynthesis of Pd/Ag (bio-Pd/Ag) and Pd/Au (bio-Pd/Au) nanoparticles using the metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis, under mild conditions. Energy dispersive X-ray analyses performed using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed the presence of both metals (Pd/Ag or Pd/Au) in the biosynthesized nanoparticles. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) suggested a significant contribution from Pd(0) and Pd(II) in both bio-Pd/Ag and bio-Pd/Au, with Ag and Au existing predominately as their metallic forms. Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) supported the presence of multiple Pd species in bio-Pd/Ag and bio-Pd/Au, as inferred from Pd-Pd, Pd-O and Pd-S shells. Both bio-Pd/Ag and bio-Pd/Au demonstrated greatly enhanced catalytic activity towards Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling compared to a monometallic Pd catalyst, with bio-Pd/Ag significantly outperforming the others. The catalysts were very versatile, tolerating a wide range of substituents. This work demonstrates a green synthesis method for novel bimetallic nanoparticles that display significantly enhanced catalytic activity compared to their monometallic counterparts.

Unveiling the role of novel biogenic functionalized CuFe hybrid nanocomposites in boosting anticancer, antimicrobial and biosorption activities

The quest for eco-friendly and biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) is an urgent issue in the agenda of the scientific community and applied technology, which compressing synthesis routes. For the first time, a simple route for the biosynthesis of functionalized CuFe-hybrid nanocomposites (FCFNCs) was achieved using Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus through a simultaneous bioreduction strategy of Cu and Fe salts. The suitability of FCFNCs was evaluated medically and environmentally as an anticancer agent, antimicrobial agent and dye bio-sorbent. The physicochemical characteristics of FCFNCs using XRD, EDX, elemental mapping, FTIR, UV-Vis., TEM and ζ-potential confirmed the formation of spheres agglomerated into chains (37 ± 2.2 nm), self-functionalized nanocomposite by proteinaceous moieties with considerable stability (- 26.2 mV). As an anticancer agent, FCFNCs displayed the highest apoptotic impact (> 77.7%) on Caco-2, HepG-2, MCF-7 and PC-3 cancer cells at IC50 ≤ 17.21 μg/mL with the maximum up regulation of p53 and caspase 3 expression and the lowest Ki-67 level, relative to both functionalized CuNPs (FCNPs) and FeNPs (FFNPs). Meanwhile, it maintained the viability of normal human cells by EC100 up to 1999.7 μg/mL. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, FCFNCs offered > 70% growth reduction among wide spectrum prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens. Additionally, the synergistic feature of FCFNCs disintegrated the pre-established biofilm and algal growth in a dose-dependent manner. However, as a bio-sorbent, FCFNCs decolorized > 68% of malachite green and congo red dyes (200 mg/L), reflecting considerable remediation efficiency, confirmed by FTIR of FCFNCs- adsorbed dyes and microtoxicity/cytotoxicity of solutions after remediation. This study offers new insights into promising CuFe-hybrid nanocomposites for recruitment in several applications.

Construction of stable bio-Pd catalysts for environmental pollutant remediation

It has been reported that Pd nanoparticles were a little weak to bind to the dried microbial (yeast) surface, leading to the poor stability of the bio-supported catalysts. The objectives of the study are to construct stable Pd nanocatalysts supported on the dried yeast surface with the help of a tiny amount (<0.1 wt%) of reduced graphene oxide (Pd/yeast/rGO) and apply the catalysts in environmental pollutant remediation. The characterizations of the as-obtained Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts showed that reduced GO could cover Pd/yeast materials and prepare 15–21 nm Pd nanoparticles under acid and base media. The catalytic performance of the Pd/yeast/rGO catalyst was compared with that of control Pd/yeast catalysts without GO. The results revealed the kinetic constant K_app in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol of Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts could reach 3.6 × 10⁻² s⁻¹ without stirring during the reaction, which was 2.4 times higher than that of Pd/yeast catalysts, and the Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts kept a good stability even after being reused in seven cycles. Furthermore, the catalysts also showed quite good catalytic activities on CO oxidation and decolorization of dye methylene blue (MB). Thus, Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts were proven to be highly active and stable for environmental remediation and have the advantage that they can prevent the loss of noble metals and be prepared conveniently from discarded microorganisms.

Stable bio-supported Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts were prepared by covering with a tiny amount (<0.1 wt%) of GO based on a non-enzyme reduction method.

Synthesis, Properties, and Biological Applications of Metallic Alloy Nanoparticles

Metallic alloy nanoparticles are synthesized by combining two or more different metals. Bimetallic or trimetallic nanoparticles are considered more effective than monometallic nanoparticles because of their synergistic characteristics. In this review, we outline the structure, synthesis method, properties, and biological applications of metallic alloy nanoparticles based on their plasmonic, catalytic, and magnetic characteristics.

Ecofriendly ruthenium-containing nanomaterials: synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, bioactivity and catalysis

Among transition metals, ruthenium being an in-demand element along with its complexes with multidimensional applications in biology, catalysis (especially photocatalysis), and several other aspects of industrial materials, is lacking regards for the potential aspect of its nanoparticles. In the modern synthetic scenario, green synthesis of novel ruthenium nanoparticles for the development of novel materials with potential applications has become a focus. Ru-containing nanomaterials (Ru-cNMs) combined with metals like platinum and palladium or with non-metals like phosphorus and oxygen have shown applications as an anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant agents along with wide-ranging catalytic applications. Reduction of Ru salts using biomaterials including plants etc. has emerged enabling the synthesis of Ru-cNMs. In this context, authors realize that poor availability of literature in this area of research seems to be one of the major handicaps that perhaps could be limiting its attractiveness to researchers. Therefore, it was thought worthwhile to present a review article to encourage, guide, and facilitate scientific researches in green ruthenium nanochemistry embodying synthesis, characterization and biological as well as catalytic applications.

Enhanced reductive removal of ciprofloxacin in pharmaceutical wastewater using biogenic palladium nanoparticles by bubbling H2

To treat waste with waste and efficiently remove the organic pollutant, waste palladiums(ii) were adsorbed and reduced on microorganism surface to catalyze the reductive removal of ciprofloxacin in pharmaceutical wastewater. By optimizing conditions such as pH and temperature, the amount of biogenic palladium adsorbed and reduced on E. coli reached 139.48 mg g⁻¹ (Pd/microorganisms). Moreover, most of the Pd(ii) was reduced to nanometer-sized Pd(0) as characterized by TEM and SEM with EDXA. Using the obtained biogenic palladium, the reductive removal of ciprofloxacin is up to 87.70% at 25 °C, 3.03 folds of that achieved in the absence of H₂. The results show that waste E. coli microorganisms can efficiently adsorb and remove waste Pd(ii) and produce Bio-Pd nanoparticle catalysts in the presence of H₂. This biogenic palladium presents high catalytic activity and great advantages in the reductive degradation of ciprofloxacin. Our method can also be applied to other waste metal ions to prepare the biogenic metals, facilitate their recovery and reuse in degrading organic pollutants in wastewater to achieve “treating waste using waste”.

A solution has been successfully introduced to three key challenges from the wastewater containing waste microorganisms, metal and ciprofloxacin, respectively.

Ag-AgCl Nanoparticles Fixation on Electrospun PVA Fibres: Technological Concept and Progress

Polymer-metal based material with unique 3D structure is an attractive substrate for the development of biomedical applications. A novel preparation of the composite from polymer fibres and silver nanoparticles has been designed through: (1) preparation of silver nanoparticles by phytosynthesis and (2) incorporation of these nanoparticles in a fibrous membrane prepared by electrospinning. The nanoparticle biosynthesis was performed in a pure environmental-friendly, easy, static, bottom-up in vitro regime using Tilia sp. leachate. TEM and XRD depict the formation, stabilisation and encapsulation of crystalline silver (14 ± 9 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) in one simple step with low tendency to aggregate. We achieved successful incorporation in the uniform electrospun 221 ± 24 nm poly(vinylalcohol) fibres, and this confirms the possibility of its use in the biomedical field. Both SEM with EDX and TEM analysis determined fibre uniformity with the presence of silver NPs, and ICP-AES confirmed the relatively similar metal concentration throughout the triplicate measurement of fibre structures on the 2 × 2 cm area in the following manner: 0.303 ± 0.018 wt. %, 0.282 ± 0.017 wt. %, and 0.281 ± 0.017 wt. %. Our hypothesis is based on previously verified preparation of active silver NPs and the easily prepared PVA electrospun fibres which act as a water soluble matrix. The simple methodology of incorporating biosynthetically prepared NPs in the PVA fibers highlights the effectiveness of this material, with simple release from water-soluble PVA and final activation of the prepared NPs.

Synthesis of Pd/Ru Bimetallic Nanoparticles by Escherichia coli and Potential as a Catalyst for Upgrading 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural Into Liquid Fuel Precursors

Escherichia coli cells support the nucleation and growth of ruthenium and ruthenium-palladium nanoparticles (Bio-Ru and Bio-Pd/Ru NPs). We report a method for the synthesis of these monometallic and bimetallic NPs and their application in the catalytic upgrading of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF) to 2,5 dimethylfuran (DMF). Examination using high resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and high angle annular dark field (HAADF) showed Ru NPs located mainly at the cell surface using Ru(III) alone but small intracellular Ru-NPs (size ∼1-2 nm) were visible only in cells that had been pre-"seeded" with Pd(0) (5 wt%) and loaded with equimolar Ru. Pd(0) NPs were distributed between the cytoplasm and cell surface. Cells bearing 5% Pd/5% Ru showed some co-localization of Pd and Ru but chance associations were not ruled out. Cells loaded to 5 wt% Pd/20 wt% Ru showed evidence of core-shell structures (Ru core, Pd shell). Examination of this cell surface material using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed Pd(0) and Pd(II) and Ru(IV) and Ru(III), with confirmation by analysis of bulk material using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses. Both Bio-Ru NPs and Bio-Pd/Ru NPs were active in the conversion of 5-HMF into 2,5-DMF but commercial Ru on carbon catalyst outperformed 5 wt% bio-Ru by fourfold. While 5 wt% Pd/20 wt% Ru achieved 20% yield of DMF the performance of the 5 wt% Pd/5 wt% Ru bio-catalyst was higher and comparable to the commercial 5 wt% Ru/C catalyst in a test reaction using commercial 5-HMF (>50% selectivity). 5-HMF was prepared by thermochemical hydrolysis of starch and cellulose with solvent extraction of 5-HMF into methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF). Here, with MTHF as the reaction solvent the commercial Ru/C catalyst had little activity (100% conversion, negligible selectivity to DMF) whereas the 5 wt% Pd/5 wt% Ru bio-bimetallic gave 100% conversion and 14% selectivity to DMF from material extracted from hydrolyzates. The results indicate a potential green method for realizing increased energy potential from biomass wastes as well as showing a bio-based pathway to manufacturing a scarcely described bimetallic material.