Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)
with controllable particle
size and stable dispersion through green chemistry without using toxic
regents is crucial for biomedical applications. In this study, spherical
AuNPs with controllable particle size in the range of 8 to 18 nm were
synthesized by the reduction of HAuCl4 using only fruit
juices/extract without adding any other chemicals. By controlling
the chemical reaction steps and adjusting the pH of the solution at
a later stage of the reaction, the sizes of the spherical AuNPs were
fine tuned to 4.5 ± 2.0 nm, 5.9 ± 2.5 nm, and 6.0 ±
1.5 nm with fruit juices/extract of A. deliciosa, P. persica, and M. domestica, respectively.
For the first time, spherical ultrasmall AuNPs of 2.6 ± 1.1 nm
with uniform distribution were successfully achieved using M. Acuminate extract at pH 10 and 11. The ultrasmall and
small AuNPs were imaged again by transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) after 4 months stored at the room temperature and 72 h incubation
in 1 mM NaCl, which is typically found in biological media. No aggregation
was observed in the above AuNP solutions after four months and incubation
for 72 h in NaCl. These results indicate that highly stable AuNPs
synthesized through green chemistry can be used in cells or embryos
and hold great promise in biological applications.