Nanoparticles are desirable in the medical community because their smaller-than-cell size and malleable surface makes them useful in both the active and passive targeting of cancer cells. One method of active targeting utilizes the over-expression of the folate receptor on the targeting cell, and gold nanoparticles can be used to facilitate this. Conventional metallic nanoparticle synthesis methods require high energy conditions and/or include toxic reagents that produce hazardous by products. The phytoconstituents (i.e. flavonoids, phenolic acids) found in plant extracts, however, work synergistically to act as the reducing and stabilizing agents for the fabrication of nanoparticles, and provide a promising green alternative to conventional synthesis. In this research, Spinacia oleracea (spinach) leaf extract is used as a greener alternative for the reducing agent in the one-step wet synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The utility of this method and the optimal conditions for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using chloroauric acid (HAuCl43H2O) and spinach leaf extract is explored. Upon the successful synthesis of the gold nanoparticles, the progression of the gold nanoparticle conjugated with folic acid via folate linker, 4-aminothiphenol, was examined.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using spinach leaf extract

2019 Spring National Meeting

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