Direct isolation of flavonoids from plants using ultra‐small anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. (29th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kurepa, Jasmina; Nakabayashi, Ryo; Paunesku, Tatjana; Suzuki, Makoto; Saito, Kazuki; Woloschak, Gayle E.; Smalle, Jan A.
• Is Part Of: Plant journal. Volume 77:Number 3(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2013-11-29
• Subjects: Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7412

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tpj12361-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Surface functionalization of nanoparticles has become an important tool for <italic>in vivo</italic> delivery of bioactive agents to their target sites. Here we describe the reverse strategy, nanoharvesting, in which nanoparticles are used as a tool to isolate bioactive compounds from living cells. Anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles smaller than 20 nm form strong bonds with molecules bearing enediol and especially catechol groups. We show that these nanoparticles enter plant cells, conjugate enediol and catechol group‐rich flavonoids <italic>in situ</italic>, and exit plant cells as flavonoid‐nanoparticle conjugates. The source plant tissues remain viable after treatment. As predicted by the surface chemistry of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles, quercetin‐based flavonoids were enriched amongst the nanoharvested flavonoid species. Nanoharvesting eliminates the use of organic solvents, allows spectral identification of the isolated compounds, and opens new avenues for use of nanomaterials for coupled isolation and testing of bioactive properties of plant‐synthesized compounds.</p> </abstract>