Hydroponic Cultivation of  Centella asiatica  Tubers for the Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles

Bao Thy Vuong; Vo Thanh Beo; Khoa Anh Ton; Tran Huu Thanh Huy; Bich Hanh Bui Thi; Thi-Kim-Dung Hoang; Bui The Vinh

doi:10.22146/ijc.118973

Hydroponic Cultivation of Centella asiatica Tubers for the Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles

https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.118973

Bao Thy Vuong⁽¹⁾, Vo Thanh Beo⁽²⁾, Khoa Anh Ton^(3*), Tran Huu Thanh Huy⁽⁴⁾, Bich Hanh Bui Thi⁽⁵⁾, Thi-Kim-Dung Hoang⁽⁶⁾, Bui The Vinh⁽⁷⁾

(1) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(2) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(3) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(4) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(5) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(6) Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
(7) Faculty of Health Sciences, Mekong University, Vinh Long Province 85000, Vietnam
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study describes a green, one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) tubers, which were hydroponically cultivated in southern Vietnam for the national food security project. The synthesized AuNPs were optimized by varying the reaction time, volume of 1 M NaOH, and amount of 25 mM HAuCl₄. Physicochemical characterization included UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, zeta potential analysis, XRD, HR-TEM, temperature-dependent stability, and bioactivity assays. A surface plasmon resonance was observed at 534 nm, indicating the successful formation of AuNPs with the presence of functional groups as reducing and capping agents. In addition, the HR-TEM images revealed AuNPs ranging from 7 to 23 nm in size, with a zeta potential of −27.1 mV. The nanoparticles remained stable up to one month after storage at 4 °C, but not at room temperature, as indicated by changes in SPR signals and zeta potential values. Besides, the AuNPs have no antioxidant activity but express cytotoxicity to the HGC-27 cell line, reaching an IC₅₀ of 338.94 µg/mL by MTT assay after 48 h. Although AuNPs demonstrate promise in cancer treatment, further studies should be conducted to improve cytotoxic efficacy and reveal the biological mechanisms.

Keywords

gold nanoparticles; C. asiatica tuber; anticancer; hydroponic; antioxidation

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.118973