Synthesis of plant-mediated gold nanoparticles and catalytic role of biomatrix-embedded nanomaterials

Growth of Sesbania seedlings in chloroaurate solution resulted in the accumulation of gold with the formation of stable gold nanoparticles in plant tissues. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the intracellular distribution of monodisperse nanospheres, possibly due to reduction of the metal ions by secondary metabolites present in cells. X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure demonstrated a high degree of efficiency for the biotransformation of Au(III) into Au(0) by plant tissues. The catalytic function of the nanoparticle-rich biomass was substantiated by the reduction of aqueous 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). This is the first report of gold nanoparticle-bearing biomatrix directly reducing a toxic pollutant, 4-NP.