Sunlight-driven photocatalytic and anticancer properties of biogenic synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) employing Polygala elongata

Abstract

The current study uses an economical and eco friendly method to produce gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) using Polygala elongata leaf (PEL) extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized materials were characterized using a range of methods, including as BET analysis, TEM-SAED, FT-IR, UV–Vis, and XRD. Biogenic AuNPs' spherical form was shown by SEM and TEM investigations, which also showed that the particles' size range was 10–20 nm, their distribution was homogeneous, and there observed minimal aggregation. The production of biogenic AuNPs was confirmed by the observation of a surface plasmon resonance peak in the absorption spectra, which was detected at 540 nm. Additionally, studies were conducted on the catalytic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anticancer characteristics of biogenic AuNPs. The biogenic AuNPs exhibited adaptable applications as a heterogeneous catalyst, achieving percentage degradations of 73 % and 88 % under UV light irradiation, particularly in catalyzing the reduction of Methylene Blue (MeB). Furthermore, the antioxidant properties were evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay in regarding rutin, a widely used antioxidant. With a cytotoxicity value of 500 µg/ml, the produced AuNPs had a strong dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the development of the lung cancer cell line (A549). Therefore, biogenic AuNPs hold potential applications across various research domains, spanning biological and industrial sectors, as well as in the removal of harmful contaminants in water purification.

Keywords

• AuNPs
• PEL extract
• Ultrasonic
• Antioxidant
• Cytotoxicity
• Photo catalytic