Optimization and characterization of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles by Oenothera biennis seed extract using taguchi method

Background: The process of producing nanomaterials involves the procurement of ingredients, the production of nanomaterials on commercial scale, and their use in many fields of medicine, health, agriculture, pharmacy, chemistry, and so on. Objective: Economical and green production of gold nanoparticles with sizes less than 20 nm by evening primrose seed extract under the influence of effective and optimized environmental factors is one of the main objectives of this study. Methods: Extract of evening primrose seeds were prepared by Ultrasonic-assisted extraction. HAuCl4 solution was prepared in 1 mM and after adding to the extract plant with a specific concentration ratio and pH adjustment, the samples were incubated for a specified period. From the prepared samples, 16 samples were selected and used according to the Taguchi orthogonal array and using Minitab18 software. Results: The results show that among the 16 proposed recommendations based on the Taguchi method, the concentration of 200: 400 μL of gold chloride to the plant extract, pH=10, temperature of 50 °C and 24 hours are the optimum levels of each factor. The optimal sample for spectral and microscopic analysis of the Fourier Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential (ZP) and transient electron microscopy (TEM) was investigated. The results of TEM shows that the size of synthesized nanoparticles by are between 2-10 nm. Conclusion: biosynthesis of GNPs by EP seed extract using Taguchi method is cost effective, less time-consuming and successful.