(NaturalNews) Gold nanoparticles, so brilliantly tiny they can not be seen by the bare eye, are used in electronics, healthcare products and as pharmaceuticals in some cancer treatments. Regrettably, the positive applications of gold nanoparticles come with a downside -- producing the nanoparticles requires very poisonous chemicals and harmful acids. And, because the nanotechnology industry is expected to produce giant quantities of nanoparticles in the immediate future, serious concerns are being raised over the environmental impact of the global nanotechnological revolution and its current need for poisonous materials.
But now University of Missouri (UM) scientists have found a way to make "green" nanotechnology by replacing all of the poisonous chemicals necessary to make gold nanoparticles. How can this be accomplished? By using a spice present in most kitchens -- cinnamon.
There is another benefit, . "Our gold nanoparticles are not only ecologically and biologically benign, they are also biologically active against cancer cells," Dr. Katti announced in a statement to the media.
For their study, which was recently published in the journal Pharmaceutical Research, MU scientist Kattesh Katti, professor of radiology and physics in the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Science, senior research scientist at the University of Missouri Research Reactor and director of the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform, and his research team combined gold salts with cinnamon and stirred the mixture in water to synthesize gold nanoparticles. This new method not only makes use of no poisonous materials, but it doesn't need any electricity, either.
While conducting their research, the scientists discovered that natural phytochemicals in cinnamon are released when the nanoparticles are created -- and these phytochemicals combined with gold nanoparticles form a promising treatment for cancer. That is because the phytochemicals are carried by the gold nanoparticles in to cancer cells and assist in the destruction or imaging of malignancies.
"From our work in green nanotechnology, it is clear that cinnamon -- and other species such as herbs, leaves and seeds -- will serve as a reservoir of phytochemicals and has the capability to convert metals in to nanoparticles," Dr. Katti said in a statement to the media. "Therefore, our approach to 'green' nanotechnology creates a renaissance symbolizing the indispensable role of Father Nature in all future nanotechnological developments."
Dr. Katti, who is the editor of The International Journal of Green Nanotechnology, added that as more makes use of for nanotechnology are created, it is crucial that scientists find ways to establish a workable connection between nanotechnology and green science.
But now University of Missouri (UM) scientists have found a way to make "green" nanotechnology by replacing all of the poisonous chemicals necessary to make gold nanoparticles. How can this be accomplished? By using a spice present in most kitchens -- cinnamon.
There is another benefit, . "Our gold nanoparticles are not only ecologically and biologically benign, they are also biologically active against cancer cells," Dr. Katti announced in a statement to the media.
For their study, which was recently published in the journal Pharmaceutical Research, MU scientist Kattesh Katti, professor of radiology and physics in the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Science, senior research scientist at the University of Missouri Research Reactor and director of the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform, and his research team combined gold salts with cinnamon and stirred the mixture in water to synthesize gold nanoparticles. This new method not only makes use of no poisonous materials, but it doesn't need any electricity, either.
While conducting their research, the scientists discovered that natural phytochemicals in cinnamon are released when the nanoparticles are created -- and these phytochemicals combined with gold nanoparticles form a promising treatment for cancer. That is because the phytochemicals are carried by the gold nanoparticles in to cancer cells and assist in the destruction or imaging of malignancies.
"From our work in green nanotechnology, it is clear that cinnamon -- and other species such as herbs, leaves and seeds -- will serve as a reservoir of phytochemicals and has the capability to convert metals in to nanoparticles," Dr. Katti said in a statement to the media. "Therefore, our approach to 'green' nanotechnology creates a renaissance symbolizing the indispensable role of Father Nature in all future nanotechnological developments."
Dr. Katti, who is the editor of The International Journal of Green Nanotechnology, added that as more makes use of for nanotechnology are created, it is crucial that scientists find ways to establish a workable connection between nanotechnology and green science.
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