Title: Synthesis and characterisation of gold nanoparticles using Mentha piperita leaf extract: a green, non-toxic and rapid method

Authors: Germán Ayala Valencia; Luci Cristina De Oliveira Vercik; Leticcia Gavião Ferreira; Jaiber Humberto Rodríguez Llanos; Andrés Vercik

Addresses: Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Food Science Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Basic Sciences Department ZAB/FZEA, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil ' Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Basic Sciences Department ZAB/FZEA, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil ' Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Basic Sciences Department ZAB/FZEA, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil ' Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Basic Sciences Department ZAB/FZEA, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil ' Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Basic Sciences Department ZAB/FZEA, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil

Abstract: Eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Mentha piperita leaf extract was addressed in this work. Different extract concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% w/v) were used for the synthesis of AuNPs. Reaction rate increased with temperature and leaf extract concentration; however, prolonged heating might affect negatively the AuNPs synthesis. AuNPs in colloid state were synthesised in acid pH (between 2.5 and 3.1), with potentials for charged surface between -21.8 and -24.1 mV, these colloids were highly stable for a storage time of four weeks. Bioreduction has generated AuNPs with spherical and triangular shape and size range between 3-26 nm for all concentrations of leaf extract, indicating a weak dependence of the nanoparticle size on extract concentrations. The present work, thus, offers a simple, rapid and non-toxic process for the synthesis of AuNPs that would potentially be used in different areas such as foods, cosmetic, medicine, electronics and polymer science.

Keywords: bioreduction; nanomaterials; green synthesis; gold nanoparticles; Mentha piperita; nanotechnology; leaf extract; eco-friendly synthesis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNBM.2014.066905

International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, 2014 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.181 - 192

Received: 03 May 2014
Accepted: 14 Sep 2014
Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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