Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
13:42
Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis
Published on: July 10, 2021
Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using chloroplasts
Yi Xia Zhang1, Jun Zheng, Guo Gao
1Department of Bio-Nano-Science and Engineering, National Key Laboratory of Nano/Micro Fabrication Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|December 14, 2011
Summary
This study presents a novel green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using chloroplasts. These biocompatible GNPs demonstrate excellent surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) capabilities for ultrasensitive detection.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have diverse applications but their synthesis often involves toxic chemicals.
- Developing eco-friendly and biocompatible methods for GNP synthesis is crucial for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel one-pot biosynthesizing method for gold nanoparticles (GNPs) utilizing chloroplasts.
- To characterize the synthesized GNPs and evaluate their cytotoxicity and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) properties.
Main Methods:
- One-pot biosynthesizing of GNPs using chloroplasts as reductants and stabilizers.
- Characterization using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and FTIR spectroscopy.
- Cytotoxicity assessment via MTT assay and SERS analysis using Rhodamine 6G.
Main Results:
- Spherical GNPs of approximately 20 nm diameter were synthesized.
- Characterization confirmed GNP crystallinity and the presence of N-H groups, indicating successful stabilization.
- The synthesized GNPs exhibited no cytotoxicity and a high SERS enhancement factor of ~10^10.
Conclusions:
- Chloroplasts can be effectively used for the green synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles.
- The synthesized GNPs possess excellent SERS activity, making them suitable for ultrasensitive detection.
- These biogenetic GNPs hold significant potential for in vitro and in vivo biomarker detection.
Related Concept Videos
01:08The Anatomy of Chloroplasts
Green algae and plants, including green stems and unripe fruit, harbor specialized organelles called chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis. They coordinate both stages of photosynthesis — the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions use sunlight to release oxygen and produce chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, and the light-independent reactions capture CO2 and use ATP and NADPH to produce sugar.
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...
01:07Anatomy of Chloroplasts
Green algae and plants, including green stems and unripe fruit, harbor chloroplasts—the vital organelles where photosynthesis takes place. In plants, the highest density of chloroplasts is found in the mesophyll cells of leaves.
01:24Protein Transport to the Stroma
Chloroplasts are triple membrane structures with an outer membrane, an inner membrane, and a thylakoid membrane, each containing distinct metabolite transporters, membrane translocons, and enzymes. Appropriate sorting and translocating these proteins to their correct membrane systems is essential for chloroplast function.
Protein complexes called the translocon of the outer chloroplast membrane or TOC complex, and the translocon of the inner chloroplast membrane or TIC complex mediate the...
Protein complexes called the translocon of the outer chloroplast membrane or TOC complex, and the translocon of the inner chloroplast membrane or TIC complex mediate the...
01:26Oxygenic Photosynthesis
Oxygenic photosynthesis is a fundamental process in which light energy is harnessed to drive the oxidation of water, leading to the production of molecular oxygen (O₂), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This process is essential for sustaining aerobic life on Earth and is primarily carried out by cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The core of oxygenic photosynthesis lies in the thylakoid membranes, where chlorophyll pigments facilitate light...
01:11Protein Transport to the Outer Chloroplast Membrane
Chloroplast outer membrane proteins encoded by the nucleus are synthesized in the cytosol. Soon after synthesis, they bind cytosolic factors such as 14-3-3 protein and the Hsp70 chaperones that keep these precursors in an unfolded state until their translocation.
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
02:19Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes
A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...