The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition comprising a gold (111) chlorite-cyanide coordination compound, a composition comprising the gold (111) compound obtainable by this process, as well as the afore-mentioned composition for use in therapy, more particularly for use in the treatment of cancer.

The present invention relates to the field of nanotechnology, more specifically to the production of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from plant extracts derived from leaves, stems, seeds, flowers, fruits or latex from plant species such as Colliguaja salicifolia, Pittosporum Undulatum, Acca sellowiana, Ugni molinae and Colliguaja integerrima, in which naturally occurring biocatalysts are possessed by these plants. The invention also relates to the gold nanoparticles obtained from said plants as well as to said natural biocatalysts.

The present invention relates to the field of nanotechnology, more specifically to the production of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from plant extracts derived from leaves, stems, seeds, flowers, fruits or latex from plant species such as Colliguaja salicifolia, Pittosporum Undulatum, Acca sellowiana, Ugni molinae and Colliguaja integerrima, in which naturally occurring biocatalysts are possessed by these plants. The invention also relates to the gold nanoparticles obtained from said plants as well as to said natural biocatalysts.

Recovery of noble metals (including the recovery of gold and/or silver from gold and/or silver containing material) is generally described. The gold and/or silver can be recovered selectively, in some cases, such that gold and/or silver are at least partially separated from non-silver and/or non-gold material. Gold and/or silver may be recovered from material using mixtures of acids, in some instances. In some cases, the mixture can comprise nitric acid and at least one supplemental acid, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or a sulfonic acid. The amount of nitric acid within the mixture can be, in some instances, relatively small compared to the amount of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid within the mixture. In some cases, the recovery of gold and/or silver using the acid mixtures can be enhanced by transporting an electric current between an electrode and the gold and/or silver of the material. In some cases, acid mixtures can be used to recover silver from particular types of materials, such as material comprising silver metal and cadmium oxide and/or material comprising silver metal and tungsten metal.

Recovery of noble metals (including the recovery of gold and/or silver from gold and/or silver containing material) is generally described. The gold and/or silver can be recovered selectively, in some cases, such that gold and/or silver are at least partially separated from non-silver and/or non-gold material. Gold and/or silver may be recovered from material using mixtures of acids, in some instances. In some cases, the mixture can comprise nitric acid and at least one supplemental acid, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or a sulfonic acid. The amount of nitric acid within the mixture can be, in some instances, relatively small compared to the amount of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid within the mixture. In some cases, the recovery of gold and/or silver using the acid mixtures can be enhanced by transporting an electric current between an electrode and the gold and/or silver of the material. In some cases, acid mixtures can be used to recover silver from particular types of materials, such as material comprising silver metal and cadmium oxide and/or material comprising silver metal and tungsten metal.

Provided is a method of preparing composite nanoparticles, which includes: a) preparing a metal nanocore having a nano-star shape from a first reaction solution in which a first metal precursor is mixed with a first buffer solution; b) fixing a Raman reporter in the metal nanocore; and c) forming a metal shell, which surrounds the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, from a second reaction solution in which the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, and a second metal precursor are mixed with a second buffer solution.

Provided is a method of preparing composite nanoparticles, which includes: a) preparing a metal nanocore having a nano-star shape from a first reaction solution in which a first metal precursor is mixed with a first buffer solution; b) fixing a Raman reporter in the metal nanocore; and c) forming a metal shell, which surrounds the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, from a second reaction solution in which the nanocore in which the Raman reporter is fixed, and a second metal precursor are mixed with a second buffer solution.

An activated carbon regeneration method of the present invention is for eluting gold from activated carbon on which the gold has been adsorbed and thereafter recycling, in adsorption of the gold, the used activated carbon from which the gold has been eluted, the method including: washing the used activated carbon with an acidic washing liquid, alkaline washing liquid or neutral washing liquid; and when the used activated carbon is washed with the acidic washing liquid, keeping the acidic washing liquid after the washing in an acidic region, or when the used activated carbon is washed with the alkaline washing liquid or neutral washing liquid, keeping the alkaline washing liquid or neutral washing liquid after the washing in an alkaline region or neutral region.

Disclosed is a method for detecting toxic metal ions in a sample. The method includes: a) preparing a solution of organic acid-bound gold nanoparticles; b) adding a sample containing toxic metal ions to the solution prepared in a) to allow the gold nanoparticles to aggregate; c) dropping the reaction solution obtained in b) onto a silicon substrate and drying the reaction solution such that the gold nanoparticle aggregates are immobilized on the silicon substrate; and d) analyzing the characteristics of the gold nanoparticles immobilized on the silicon substrate. The method enables the detection of even a trace amount of toxic metal ions in a sample with high sensitivity. Therefore, the method can be applied to the management of water quality in food service providers and hospitals, the measurement of contaminants in water supply and drainage systems, and the management of industrial wastewater. Furthermore, the method is expected to be widely applicable to water purifiers and the food and beverage industry in the future.

Disclosed is a method for detecting toxic metal ions in a sample. The method includes: a) preparing a solution of organic acid-bound gold nanoparticles; b) adding a sample containing toxic metal ions to the solution prepared in a) to allow the gold nanoparticles to aggregate; c) dropping the reaction solution obtained in b) onto a silicon substrate and drying the reaction solution such that the gold nanoparticle aggregates are immobilized on the silicon substrate; and d) analyzing the characteristics of the gold nanoparticles immobilized on the silicon substrate. The method enables the detection of even a trace amount of toxic metal ions in a sample with high sensitivity. Therefore, the method can be applied to the management of water quality in food service providers and hospitals, the measurement of contaminants in water supply and drainage systems, and the management of industrial wastewater. Furthermore, the method is expected to be widely applicable to water purifiers and the food and beverage industry in the future.