Issue

Vol. 38 No. 6 (2026): Vol. 38 Issue No 6, 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Ramesh Babu Konakala, Nirmala Rajkumar, Kiran Kumar Koduri, Navamathavan Rangaswamy, Jaisankar Viswanathan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Biowaste-Derived Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis Optimisation, Characterisation and Biomedical Potential

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2026.35704
Ramesh Babu Konakala
PG and Research Department of Biotechnology, Hindustan College of Arts and Science (Affiliated to University of Madras), Padur, Chennai-603103, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1286-2319
Nirmala Rajkumar
PG and Research Department of Biotechnology, Hindustan College of Arts and Science (Affiliated to University of Madras), Padur, Chennai-603103, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7984-8247
Kiran Kumar Koduri
PG and Research Department of Biotechnology, Hindustan College of Arts and Science (Affiliated to University of Madras), Padur, Chennai-603103, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0091-0685
Rangaswamy Navamathavan
Department of Physics, School of Advanced Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Chennai-600127, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9185-6837
Jaisankar Viswanathan
Department of Chemistry, Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai-600005, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0894-4703

Corresponding Author(s) : Nirmala Rajkumar

drrnirmala@hcaschennai.edu.in

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 38 No. 6 (2026): Vol. 38 Issue No 6, 2026

Abstract

Biowaste-derived gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) provide a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial substitute for conventional chemical synthesis methods. In this study, Au NPs were synthesised using biowaste fruit peel extracts rich in bioactive compounds, serving as reducing and stabilizing agents. Around six peel extracts from various fruits (Malus pumila, Musa paradisiaca, Citrus sinensis, Vitis vinifera, Punica granatum and Persea americana) were screened for synthesis processes. Among these, M. pumila (apple) peel extract was selected for further study due to its superior nanoparticles formation efficiency. The synthesised Au NPs were characterised to confirm their structural, morphological and optical properties. The optimisation of synthesis parameters, including pH, temperature, precursor concentration and volume of peel extract was conducted to achieve monodispersed and stable Au NPs. The synthesised Au NPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as assessed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, demonstrating their potential in scavenging free radicals. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of Au NPs was evaluated against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line using MTT assay revealing the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. Mp-Au NPs dramatically increased the production of ROS, caused necrosis and nuclear damage and sensitised the mitochondrial membrane, which in turn set off the apoptotic cascade. The results highlight the potential of biowaste-derived Au NPs as promising candidates for biomedical applications, particularly in antioxidant therapy and cancer treatment.

Keywords

Biowaste Malus pumila Au NPs DPPH assay Cytotoxicity
(1)
Konakala, R. B.; Rajkumar, N.; Koduri, K. K.; Navamathavan, R.; Viswanathan, J. Biowaste-Derived Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis Optimisation, Characterisation and Biomedical Potential. ajc 2026, 38, 1641-1651.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. S. Falsini and U. Bardi, Green Chem., 20, 3897 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1039/C8GC01248B
  2. S. Alex and A. Tiwari, J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol., 15, 1869 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2015.9718
  3. R. Chen, F. Chen, M. Sun, R. Zhang, S. Wu and C. Meng, Inorganic and Nano-Metal Chemistry, 52, 1345 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1080/24701556.2021.1952242
  4. M. Aili, K. Zhou, J. Zhan, H. Zheng and F. Luo, J. Mater. Chem. B, 11, 8605 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01023F
  5. M. Sharifi-Rad, Y. Kishore Mohanta, P. Pohl, D. Nayak and M. Messaoudi, J. Photochem. Photobiol. Chem., 446, 115150 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2023.115150
  6. V. Budhwar, J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 8, 259 (2016).
  7. H. Singh, M.F. Desimone, S. Pandya, S. Jasani, N. George, M. Adnan, A. Aldarhami, A.S. Bazaid and S.A. Alderhami, Int. J. Nanomedicine, 18, 4727 (2023); https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S419369
  8. M.S. Samuel, M. Ravikumar, E. Selvarajan, H. Patel, P.S. Chander, A. John, J. Soundarya, S. Vuppala, R. Balaji and N. Chandrasekar, Catalysts, 12, (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12050459
  9. K. Bhardwaj and A.K. Singh, Chem. Eng. J. Adv., 16, 100536 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2023.100536
  10. G. Gnanajobitha, K. Paulkumar, M. Vanaja, S. Rajeshkumar, C. Malarkodi, G. Annadurai and C. Kannan., J. Nanostructure Chem., 3, 67 (2013); https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-8865-3-67
  11. E. Kowsalya, Food Packag. Shelf Life, 21, 100379 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2019.100379
  12. E. Kowsalya, J. Food Process Eng., 44, e13641 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpe.13641
  13. S. Vigneswari, T.S.M. Amelia, M.H. Hazwan, G.K. Mouriya, K. Bhubalan, A.A. Amirul and S. Ramakrishna, Antibiotics, 10, 229 (2021); https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10030229
  14. V.S. Parkhe, T.P. Patil and A.P. Tiwari, Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng., 8, 1067 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-023-00342-9
  15. D. Bharathi, J. Lee, P. Karthiga, R. Mythili, S. Devanesan and M.S. AlSalhi, Waste Biomass Valoriz., 15, 1859 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-023-02328-9
  16. C.G. Yuan, C. Huo, B. Gui and W.P. Cao, IET Nanobiotechnol., 11, 523 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-nbt.2016.0183
  17. S.K. Madhumithra, P. Balashanmugam, K. Mosachristas, A. Tamil Selvi and R. Subashini, Int. J. Appl. Pharm., 10, 162 (2018); https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2018v10i4.27154
  18. K.X. Lee, K. Shameli, M. Miyake, N. Kuwano, N.B.B.A. Khairudin, S.E.B. Mohamad and Y.P. Yew, J. Nanomaterials, 2016, 8489094 (2016); https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8489094
  19. E. Alzahrani and A.T. Alkhudidy, Int. J. Anal. Chem., 719, 2868 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7192868
  20. E. Kowsalya, K. Mosa-Christas, C.R.I. Jaquline, P. Balashanmugam, and T. Devasena, Appl. Organomet. Chem., 35, e6071 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1002/aoc.6071
  21. E. Iqbal, K.A. Salim and L.B.L. Lim, J. King Saud Univ. Sci., 27, 224 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2015.02.003
  22. T. Mosmann, J. Immunol. Methods, 65, 55 (1983); https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1759(83)90303-4
  23. M. Uzma, N. Sunayana, V.B. Raghavendra, R. Shanmuganathan, C.S. Madhu, and K. Brindhadevi, Process Biochem., 92, 269 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2020.01.019
  24. V. Ramalingam, S. Revathidevi, T.S. Shanmuganayagam, R. Rajaram and L. Muthulakshmi, Gold Bull., 50, 177 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1007/s13404-017-0208-x
  25. L. Wang, J. Xu, Y. Yan, H. Liu and F. Li, Artif. Cells Nanomed. Biotechnol., 47, 1216 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1080/21691401.2019.1593852
  26. L. Jiang, H. Yu, C. Wang, F. He, Z. Shi, H. Tu, N. Ning, S. Duan and Y. Zhao, Pharmaceuticals, 15, 1271 (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101271
  27. P. Balashanmugam, P. Durai, M.D. Balakumaran and P.T. Kalaichelvan, J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, 165, 163 (2016); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.10.013
  28. Y. Wang, X. He, K. Wang, X. Zhang and W. Tan, Colloid. Surf. B, 73, 75 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.04.027
  29. B.S. Srinath and R.V. Rai, J. Cluster Sci., 26, 1483 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-014-0835-9
  30. A.K. Mittal, Y. Chisti and U.C. Banerjee, Biotechnol. Adv., 31, 346 (2013); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.01.003
  31. N. Jara, N.S. Milán, A. Rahman, L. Mouheb, D.C. Boffito, C. Jeffryes and S.A. Dahoumane, Molecules, 26, 4585 (2021); https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154585.
  32. A.K. Singh and O.N. Srivastava, Nanoscale Res. Lett., 10, 1055 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-015-1055-4
  33. R.E. Darienzo, O. Chen, M. Sullivan, T. Mironava and R. Tannenbaum, Mater. Chem. Phys., 240, 122143 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.122143
  34. R. Mansoori, F. Hataminia, S.M. Sadraei, S. Kharrazi and H. Ghanbari, Nanomed. Res J., 8, 383 (2023); https://doi.org/10.22034/nmrj.2023.04.007
  35. Y. Wang, X. He, K. Wang, X. Zhang and W. Tan, Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces, 73, 75 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.04.027
  36. M. Akhbari, R. Hajiaghaee, R. Ghafarzadegan, S. Hamedi and M. Yaghoobi, IEE Nanobiotechnol., 17, 100301 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-nbt.2018.5040
  37. R.T. Ariski, K.K. Lee, Y. Kimc and C.-S. Lee, RSC Adv., 14, 14582 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA00614C
  38. X. Li, T. Ni and R. Xu, J. Mol. Struct., 1294, 136413 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.136413
  39. P.B. Santhosh, J. Genova and H. Chamati, Chemistry, 4, 345 (2022); https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry4020026
  40. A.A. Belew, S.H. Gebre, M.A. Assege, D.S. Meshesha and M.T. Ayana, Results Chem., 18, 102859 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2025.102859
  41. Y.S. Mostafa, S.A. Alamri, S.A. Alrumman, M. Hashem and Z.A. Baka. Plants, 10, 2363 (2021); https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112363
  42. S. Jain, M. S. Mehata, Sci. Rep. 7, 15867 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15724-8
  43. L. Rastogi, A.J. Kora and J. Arunachalam, Mater. Sci. Eng. C, 32, 1571 (2012); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2012.04.044
  44. A. Zuorro, A. Iannone, R. Lavecchia and S. Natali, Chem. Eng. Trans., 81, 1393 (2020); https://doi.org/10.3303/CET2081233
  45. J. Anuradha, T. Abbasi and S.A. Abbasi, J. Adv. Res., 6, 711 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2014.03.006
  46. P. AshaRani, M.P. Hande and S. Valiyaveettil, BMC Cell Biol., 10, 65 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2121-10-65
  47. V.A. Patel, A. Longacre, K. Hsiao, H. Fan, F. Meng, J.E. Mitchell, J. Rauch, D.S. Ucker and J.S. Levine, J. Biol. Chem., 281, 4663 (2005); https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M508342200
  48. C. Zhang and X. Shi, Nanomedicine, 15, 1455 (2020); https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2020-0142
  49. K. Rizwan, M. Zubair, N. Rasool, M. Riaz, M. Zia-Ul-Haq and V. De Feo, Int. J. Mol. Sci., 13, 6440 (2012); https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms13056440
  50. K.W. Jung, Y.J. Won, C.M. Oh, H.J. Kong, D.H. Lee and K.H. Lee, Cancer Res. Treat., 49, 292 (2017); https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2017.118
  51. V. Kumar and S.K. Yadav, J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 84, 151 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.2023
  52. C.H. Lee, Y. Choi, H. Cho, I.H. Bang, L. Hao, S.O. Lee, R. Jeon, E.J. Bae and B.H. Park, Biochem. Pharmacol., 183, 114312 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114312
  53. H. Chang, Q. Wang, X. Meng, X. Chen, Y. Deng, L. Li, Y. Yang, G. Song and H. Jia, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 35, 1435 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00402
  54. M. Pradeep, D. Kruszka, P. Kachlicki, D. Mondal and G. Franklin, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 10, 562 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c06960
Read More
Author biographies is not available.
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 31 Download : 27
PlumX