A humble spice found in nearly every kitchen could yield a safer, simpler way to produce gold nanoparticles, according to a new study. Researchers say the cinnamon-infused particles can even be used to fight cancer.
Gold nanoparticles are heralded for their potential to detect tumors, search for oil, light the streets and cure diseases, but their production requires dangerous toxic chemicals. There are several ways to produce gold particles, but most involve dissolving chloroauric acid, also called gold salts, in liquid and adding chemicals to precipitate gold atoms. Common mixtures include sodium citrates, sodium borohydride (also used to bleach wood pulp) and ammonium compounds, all of which can be toxic to humans and the environment.
Hoping to promote green nanotechnology, researchers at the University of Missouri mixed gold salts with cinnamon instead and stirred the mixture in water. The combination produced gold nanoparticles and phytochemicals, an active chemical in cinnamon. When combined with the nanoparticles, the phytochemicals can enter cancer cells and destroy them or help image them for more accurate medical procedures.“Our gold nanoparticles are not only ecologically and biologically benign, they also are biologically active against cancer cells,” said Kattesh Katti, a professor of radiology and physics at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
The process uses no electricity and no chemicals, other than the initial gold salts. The researchers reported their work in the journal Pharmaceutical Research.
Katti said cinnamon and other seeds, leaves and herbs could be used to convert metals into nanoparticles without using harsh chemicals.
“Our approach to ‘green’ nanotechnology creates a renaissance symbolizing the indispensable role of Mother Nature in all future nanotechnological developments,” he said.
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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It's like witch's brews may have been on to something but then we wrote them off for being witches!
lol i don't understand that process at all. The way the author of the article explains it, you just stir it up and ''pouff'', gold nanoparticle come out. Is there a way to see this more thoroughly?
neat trick, cinnamon ftw! :D
>Mathieu.LeBlanc - The source of the article is at the bottom, and also via "cinnamon-infused particles" in the first sentence of the article. .though Eurekalert seems to be sparse on the specifics of the experiment, google is (usually) helpful with finding more information on things like this.
Basically the gist of it is that - What certain toxic and/or harmful chemicals can do with gold salt to produce gold nanoparticles... cinnamon can also accomplish, possibly in a better way (since it also produces additional helpful compounds at the same time).
It sounds promising, but I wonder how efficient cinnamon is at facilitating the production of gold nanoparticles, compared to some of the less desirable chemicals?
I know that a lot of you are not going to like to hear this, but the Bible says, "if there are any among you who are sick, let them turn to the fields for their healing." I think this article proves this just fine.
no kidding.
I don't understand why you are quoting me @terapeutica
popsci reports on new stuff...read the science papers if you want specifics on how things work
@JamesDavis Do you have a reference because I don't believe that is a real Bible verse
Well my mom is dying of lung cancer, and I would be willing for her to try anything at this point. Where can I get the gold salt,and how much do you mix, and how often would she take it???