Green Synthesis and characterization of gold Nanoparticles using Green Alga Ulva Lactuca and evaluation of their Catalytric Role
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Date
2016
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Nanoparticles synthesized using typical chemical procedures have associated environmental risks
because of the use of hazardous chemicals. With the ever-increasing potential application for
nanomaterials, there is a growing need to develop new synthetic procedures for nanomaterials
which are non-toxic and eco-friendly. This study presents, as a first step, the screening of the aqueous extracts of several seaweeds in
order to assess their ability to produce gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Eleven aqueous extracts were
screened for the synthesis of AuNPs and where AuNPs were formed, these were further
characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy and HRTEM primarily. Three of the eleven aqueous
extracts shown to produce AuNPs were extracts obtained from brown algae. The total antioxidant
and total reducing power contents, as well as the DPPH radical scavenging abilities for these
extracts were determined and related to their ability to produce the NPs. The AuNPs were found
to be of various shapes and sizes including spheres, rods and triangles, with sizes ranging from 20
nm to 200 nm.
Description
Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology)