Discovery of nano-sized gold particles in natural plant tissues

作者：Luo, Xiaoen; Cao, Jianjin^*

来源：Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2018, 16(4): 1441-1448.

DOI：10.1007/s10311-018-0749-0

• Au nanoparticles
• Plant tissues
• TEM study
• Characteristic
• Absorption mechanism
• Environment

Biological effects of nanoparticles have attracted widespread attention. However, the interaction between plants and nanoparticles remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of nano-sized metal particles in two representative plant species, Erigeron canadensis and Boehmeria nivea, in theGuangdong Province, China. The stems of the plants were sliced and placed on Ni-C grids for field-emission transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The metal-bearing nanoparticles were further analysed for their size, shape, composition, content and other characteristics using X-ray energy spectrum analysis, scanning TEM and selected-area electron diffraction pattern. The results revealed that the plants contain nano-sized Au-bearing particles with a diameter of 5-50nm, ellipsoid, spherical and bone-rod shapes orirregular morphologywith smooth edges. These nanoparticles primarily consisted of Au, Cu, O and Cl. The discovery of Au-bearing nanoparticles in natural plant tissues is of great significance for biological nanoscience. Here, we discuss the function and absorption mechanism of Au-bearing nanoparticles in plants and present the influence of the discovery of Au-bearing nanoparticles in natural plants.

• 出版日期2018-12
• 单位中山大学