Green Synthesis, Characterization of Gold Nanomaterials using Gundelia tournefortii Leaf Extract, and Determination of Their Nanomedicinal (Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Cytotoxic) Potential

Introduction. Fighting against cancer and antibiotic resistance are important challenges of healthcare systems, and developing new treatment methods has become the most concentrated area of researchers. Method and Materials. Green synthesis, characterization, and some biological activities of gold nanomaterials (AuNPs) obtained with Gundelia tournefortii (kenger) leaf extract were investigated in this study. Fourier scanning electron microscope, UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, and Zetasizer instrument data were used to elucidate the structures of nanoparticles. Results. The maximum surface plasmon resonance was observed at 532.15 nm after 1 hour. With the powder XRD model, the mean cubic crystallite size was determined as 23.53 nm. It was observed that the shapes of the obtained AuNPs were spherical, and the dimensions were 5-40 nm and hexagonal. Surface charges (-27 mV) and average size (365.3 nm) of gold nanoparticles were measured with a zeta analyzer. Conclusion. The suppressive effects of AuNPs on the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and healthy and cancer cell lines were determined using the MIC and MTT methods, respectively.