Synthesis of Finely Controllable Sizes of Au Nanoparticles on a Silica Template and Their Nanozyme Properties

The precise synthesis of fine-sized nanoparticles is critical for realizing the advantages of nanoparticles for various applications. We developed a technique for preparing finely controllable sizes of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on a silica template, using the seed-mediated growth and interval dropping methods. These Au NPs, embedded on silica nanospheres (SiO2@Au NPs), possess peroxidase-like activity as nanozymes and have several advantages over other nanoparticle-based nanozymes. We confirmed their peroxidase activity; in addition, factors affecting the activity were investigated by varying the reaction conditions, such as concentrations of tetramethyl benzidine and H2O2, pH, particle amount, reaction time, and termination time. We found that SiO2@Au NPs are highly stable under long-term storage and reusable for five cycles. Our study, therefore, provides a novel method for controlling the properties of nanoparticles and for developing nanoparticle-based nanozymes.

Synthesis of Finely Controllable Sizes of Au Nanoparticles on a Silica Template and Their Nanozyme Properties

The precise synthesis of fine-sized nanoparticles is critical for realizing the advantages of nanoparticles for various applications. We developed a technique for preparing finely controllable sizes of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on a silica template using the seed-mediated growth and interval dropping methods. These Au NPs, embedded on silica nanospheres (SiO2@Au NPs), possess peroxidase-like activity as nanozymes and have several advantages over other nanoparticle-based nanozymes. We confirmed their peroxidase activity; in addition, factors affecting the activity were investigated by varying the reaction conditions such as concentrations of tetramethyl benzidine and H2O2, pH, particle amount, reaction time, and termination time. We found that SiO2@Au NPs are highly stable under long-term storage and reusable for five cycles. Our study, therefore, provides a novel method for controlling the properties of nanoparticles and for developing nanoparticle-based nanozymes.

Use of the peroxidase mimetic activity of erythrocyte-like Cu1.8S nanoparticles in the colorimetric determination of glutathione

Erythrocyte-like Cu1.8S nanoparticles exhibited excellent peroxidase mimetic properties and were able to catalyse tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) to its blue oxidized product in the presence of H2O2 following the Fenton reaction. The catalytic process was inhibited by glutathione (GSH) and this phenomenon was used to construct an efficient sensing platform for the colorimetric determination of glutathione.

Colorimetric detection of hypochlorite in tap water based on the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl benzidine

A simple method for the colorimetric detection of hypochlorite in tap water with good selectivity and sensitivity has been developed by utilization of the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine.

Biosynthesis and Degradation of H2O2 by Vaginal Lactobacilli

ABSTRACT Hydrogen peroxide production by vaginal lactobacilli represents one of the most important defense mechanisms against vaginal colonization by undesirable microorganisms. To quantify the ability of a collection of 45 vaginal Lactobacillus strains to generate H2O2, we first compared three published colorimetric methods. It was found that the use of DA-64 as a substrate rendered the highest sensitivity, while tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB) maintained its linearity from nanomolar to millimolar H2O2 concentrations. Generation of H2O2 was found to be especially common and strong for L. jensenii strains, while it was variable among L. crispatus and L. gasseri strains. Biosynthesis of H2O2 only occurred upon agitation of the cultures, but the H2O2-producing machinery was already present in them before aeration started. Calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc ions did not affect H2O2 production, while Cu2+ inhibited the growth of Lactobacillus jensenii CECT 4306, which was chosen as a model strain. Cultures with Fe3+, hemin, and hemoglobin did not accumulate H2O2. Fe3+ activated an extracellular peroxidase that destroyed the H2O2 being produced by the cultures. This protected the lactobacilli against its antimicrobial effect. The production of the enzyme appears to be constitutive, the Fe3+ ions being a necessary cofactor of the reaction.