Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Averrhoa Bilimbi for Chromium Detection in Wastewater

Heavy metal chromium (Cr) is one of the substances that can cause water pollution. Although chromium is highly useful in various aspects of life, including in the industrial sector, its excessive use also generates waste that has the potential to damage the environment and pose risks to human health. The analysis of chromium (Cr) presence in water was conducted using the biosynthesis method of gold nanoparticles with Averrhoa bilimbi as a bioreductant. Chromium, as one of the heavy metals, has many industrial applications; however, its excessive use can pollute the environment and endanger human health. The method used in this study is colorimetry, which is known to be simple, effective, economical, and accurate. The analysis results showed that gold nanoparticles synthesized from Averrhoa bilimbi could detect chromium at a concentration of 10 mM under optimal conditions at pH 5, temperature 75°C, and incubation time of 5 minutes. The synthesized gold nanoparticles proved to be selective and sensitive in detecting the presence of chromium, thus offering a potential solution for monitoring chromium pollution in aquatic environments.