by Playfuls Staff |
27th February 2007
U.S. scientists say a plant extract used to stabilize foods such as Big Macs can also stabilize gold [more] nanoparticles used to detect cancers.
Professor Kattesh Katti, director of the University of Missouri Cancer Nanotechnology Platform, and colleagues tested plant extracts for their ability as non-toxic vehicles to stabilize and deliver nanoparticles for in vivo nanomedicinal applications.
The researchers determined gum arabic, used to stabilize foods such as yogurt, Big Macs and soda, can absorb and assimilate metals, creating a "coating" that makes gold nanoparticles stable and non-toxic.
"We found that gum arabic can effectively 'lock' gold nanoparticles to produce non-toxic, nanoparticulate constructs that can be used for potential applications in nanomedicine," Katti said. "We have developed a new class of hybrid gold nanoparticles that are stable and can be administered either orally or through intravenous injection within the biological system."
Professor Mansoor Amiji, co-director of the Nanomedicine Education and Research Consortium at Northeastern University in Boston, said the breakthrough represents a major scientific discovery that will initiate a new generation of biocompatible gold nanoparticles.
A paper describing the research appears in the February issue of the journal Small.
© 2007 UPI
