New Synthesis of Gold- and Silver-Based Nano-Tetracycline Composites.

A new synthetic methodology of water-soluble gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs@TC and AgNPs@TC), using the antibiotic tetracycline (TC) as co-reducing and stabilizing agent, is reported. Both colloids exhibit high water stability. The average sizes obtained were 25±10 and 15±5 nm, respectively. Both composites were tested against TC-resistant bacteria, presenting an increasing antibacterial effect in the case of AgNPs@TC. The sensing towards metal ions was also explored. An interesting and reversible affinity of AuNPs@TC towards AlIII cations in an aqueous system was also observed.