Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles from Dunaliella salina, its characterization and in vitro anticancer activity on breast cancer cell line

Abstract

An ecofriendly and efficient method (photoinduced) has been used for green synthesis of stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using aqueous extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent, derived from halotolerant microalga Dunaliella salina. Synthesis of AuNPs was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy showing sharp SPR band at 560 nm after 30 min exposure of sunlight. The synthesis was optimized further as exposure(75min) to sunlight, aqueous extract of Dunaliella (AED) inoculum dose(30%) and HAuCl4.xH2O (1 mM). The presence of nearly spherical shape of AuNPs with average size of 22.4 nm and crystalline nature were confirmed by TEM, SAED and XRD analysis. The XPS analysis of AuNPs showed presence of two individual peaks at 85.17 and 88.94eV that attributed to Au 4f7/2 and Au 4f5/2 respectively. Phycochemical analysis of AED demonstrated presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannin and proteins. AED when subjected to SDS-PAGE showed protein bands of 92 and 66 KDa. AuNPs were tested for anticancer activity on MCF7 (cancer) and MCF 10A (normal) cell lines, keeping commercial drug cisplatin as positive control. AuNPs selectively killed cancer cells and were not detrimental to the normal cell line whereas cisplatin killed normal cells also at 48 h exposure, therefore, such AuNPs may be used as an anticancer agent.