Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles in Natural Matrices by Liquid-Phase Plasma: Effects on Cytotoxic Activity against Normal and Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Wrapping of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a biocompatible matrix, to gain AuNP colloids, is a general strategy to synthesize the AuNPs for biomedical purposes. This work reports the synthesis of AuNP colloids in the aqueous solution of several natural matrices using a liquid-phase plasma process. Two classes of natural substances used are sugars (including: glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and biopolymers (including: carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, and gelatin). All are negatively charged water-soluble substances that are claimed to be sources of energy for cells to grow and have a high potential to be compatible with them. The study has emerged since one question arises: “Do these matrices also promote the growth of cancer cells?” The synthesis is performed by generating plasma across a pair of electrodes immersed in an aqueous solution of a natural matrix containing a gold precursor (HAuCl4·3H2O). Two concentrations of the matrices (0.5 and 1.0% w/v) are used, and the plasma treatment times a...