Dissolved organic matter-mediated reduction of ionic Au(III) to elemental Au nanoparticles and their growth to visible granules

The biogeochemical transformation of gold (Au), i.e. its dissolution and re-precipitation, is critical in supergene transport of Au and formation of Au granules. Besides biogenic reduction, the formation Au granules can also be driven by chemical processes. Previous studies have showed the formation of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) from ionic Au(III) can be mediated by dissolved organic matter under sunlight. In this letter, we further demonstrated that these AuNPs can further slowly (in years) grow into visible Au granules. Different sized nano-flower and fractal dendrite-like branched gold structures (from tens of nanometres to over 100 μm) were observed in the Au granule sample. This growth of AuNPs into visible Au granules may play a critical role in the supergene mineralization and enrichment of secondary Au and drive the biogeochemical cycle of Au.     

Multiple Photoluminescent Processes from Pyrene Derivatives with Aggregation‐ and Mechano‐Induced Excimer Emission

Two novel pyrene‐based isocyanide gold(I) complexes have been designed and synthesized. The different structures lead to distinct and diverse photophysical properties both in solution and in the aggregate state. Multiple photoluminescence, involving monomer emission, locally excited emission and excimer emission, are observed. Notably, an excimer is formed by aggregation in solution and external mechanical stimulation in the solid state, showing aggregation‐ and mechano‐induced excimer emission.     

Effect of size and shape controlled biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their mode of interactions against food borne bacterial pathogens

In this study, size and shape controlled biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity against food borne bacterial pathogens were investigated. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles was carried out using two medicinally important plants Cucurbita pepo and Malva crispa and the size and shape of the nanoparticles were controlled by altering various parameters in the reaction medium. Results obtained from UV–Vis, FE-SEM, EDS and HR-TEM analyses supported the nanoparticles formation. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of biomolecules in the plant leaves extracts responsible for reducing and capping agents. Interestingly, the plant extract synthesized gold nanoparticles showed effective inhibition zone against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of synthesized gold nanoparticles at 400 μg/ml concentration showed effective inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Conductivity of the medium continuously increased during the nanoparticles treatment with food borne bacterial pathogens resulting in indirect indication of the disruption of bacterial cell membranes. In addition, mode of interactions of gold nanoparticles against food borne bacterial pathogens was demonstrated using Bio-TEM analysis which is clear evident for the disruption of bacterial cell membranes.     

Ultrasensitive aptamer-based bio bar code immunomagnetic separation and electrochemiluminescence method for the detection of protein

An ultrasensitive aptamer-based bio bar code immunomagnetic separation and electrochemiluminescence (IM-ECL) method for the detection of protein is developed. The target protein is captured by biotin-labeled aptamer (biotin probe) and [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (TBR)-Au bio bar code-labeled aptamer (ECL nanoprobe), to form a double aptamer–protein sandwich complex. The complex is then immobilized on the streptavidin microbeads through biotin–streptavidin linkage and detected by ECL assay. The ECL signal of the target protein is amplified by the TBR-bio bar code DNAs. As an example, platelet-derived growth factor B-chain homodimer (PDGF-BB) was detected by the method. Experimental results show that the detection limit of the assay is 1 pM of PDGF-BB. A calibration curve with a linearity range from 1 pM to 10 nM is established, thus, make quantitative analysis possible. The method has been used to detect PDGF-BB in fetal calf serum with minimum background interference. Due to the wide availability of aptamer for numerous proteins, this aptamer-based bio bar code IM-ECL method holds great promise in protein detection.     

Amperometric Immunosensor for Prostate Specific Antigen Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Ionic Liquid/Chitosan Hybrid Film

The hybrid film of gold nanoparticles/ionic liquid-chitosan (GNP/IL-Ch) was first prepared by a simple one-step synthesis and used as an efficient immobilization matrix to fabricate an immunosensor. The GNP/IL-Ch film not only prevents the leakage of the IL units, but also produces a well-defined voltammetric signal due to the synergistic effects of the IL units and GNPs. By immobilizing an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-labeled antibody in GNP/IL-Ch film, a sensitive amperometric immunosensor has been developed for prostate specific antigen (PSA). Under the optimized conditions, the immunosensor exhibits a linear range from 1.0 to 80 ng mL^?1 of PSA.     

基于纳米金与纳米银簇间表面等离子增强能量转移效应特异性检测microRNA

microRNAs(miRNAs)的灵敏检测对临床诊断具有十分重要的意义.本研究采用偶联DNA聚合酶和核酸内切酶介导的恒温扩增反应实现靶标循环再生的策略,利用纳米金(AuNPs)与纳米银簇(AgNCs)间表面等离子增强能量转移效应,开发了一种miRNA定量检测方法.在AuNPs表面组装两种探针(Probe a和Probe b)制备响应元件Probe b-Probe a-AuNP,其中Probe a通过3′端巯基共价偶联到AuNPs表面,此外具有靶标miRNA互补序列、核酸内切酶酶切序列和Probe b互补序列,Probe b为荧光AgNCs合成模板.靶标miRNA存在时,启动酶级联恒温扩增反应,导致Probe b脱离AuNPs表面,抑制了Probe b为模板合成的AgNCs与AuNPs间表面等离子增强能量转移效应,使得反应体系荧光信号增强.本方法的检出限为2.5×10-11 mol/L,与miRNAs商业化检测试剂盒相比,避免了逆转录反应,而且操作简单,检测成本低,可应用于生物样本中miRNAs分析.