The gold nanoparticels were modified by biological active saccharides, and the properties of gold nanoparticle including protein recognition abilities were investigated.
First, the gold nanoparticle with a diameter of about 8 nm was modified by lactose-substituted mercapto oligoethylene. The gold nanoparticle was water soluble, and aggregated by addition of the specific recognition lectin.
Then, the gold nanoparticle with a diameter of 40 nm was prepared by glycopolymer cattying α-mannoside. The gold nanoparticle with mannose was readily water soluble, and showed pink colour. The UV-adsorption of the gold nanoparticle was increased by addition of the specific recognition lectin of Concanavalin A though other protein didn't change the UV spectra.