Phytobiosynthesis of gold nano-particles and comparison of two plant species (Canola and Alfalfa)

Abstract

Different varieties of two plant species, Canola and Alfalfa were grown at exactly same laboratory conditions and bio-reduction of Au (III) to Au (0) was studied. Subsequently, production of gold nano-particles of various morphologies and sizes were characterized. Plant seeds were grown in a culture medium that contained gold ions from KAuCl₄. Gold nano-particle formation was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that the plants pull up gold ions from KAuCl₄ and form gold particles in nano sizes due to chemical behaviour of the gold. Significant differences in the nature of nano-particles were observed when particles synthesized by these two plant species were compared. The size range of gold nano-particles synthesized by Canola was 20-128 nm, while it was 8-48 nm by Alfalfa.