Cataractous Eye Protein Isolate Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles\nPrevent Their Ethanol-Induced Aggregation

Due\nto their distinctive optical, electrical, and catalytic characteristics,\ngold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found increasing use for a wide range\nof applications, including biomedicine and catalysis. Inherent agglomeration\npropensities impair their functional qualities, stability, and biocompatibility.\nThis work investigates the potential applications of the cataractous\neye protein isolate (CEPI), a waste product rich in proteins from\ncataract surgery, as a novel AuNP stabilizing agent. It was found\nthat CEPI can successfully stabilize AuNPs under a variety of situations,\npreventing ethanol-induced aggregation and preserving their structural\nintegrity. Using spectroscopic and analytical techniques, including\nUV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular\ndichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and fluorescence quenching studies, we\nconfirmed the successful binding of CEPI to AuNPs and the enhanced\nstability of the conjugates. A shift in the localized surface plasmon\nresonance (LSPR) peak and modifications to the secondary structure\nof the CEPI were indicative of strong binding and protective effects\nbetween CEPI and AuNPs. These findings suggest that CEPI, an underutilized\nbiomaterial, can serve as an effective and biocompatible stabilizer\nfor AuNPs, with potential applications in biomedical and therapeutic\nfields.