Background and Objectives: Endemic plants are integral part of the ecosystem that provide innumerable benefits. Thus, emerging studies and applications using these endemic plants continue to increase globally. In this study, the preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been carried out by using the aqueous leaves extract of Dillenia philippinensis Rolfe. (Katmon) as the bioreductants. Methodology: After the synthesis of AuNPs, the process was further subjected to optimization to assure the production of AuNPs with the best parameters. Synthesized and optimized AuNPs were characterized using FTIR, XRD, DLS, Zeta Potential, and TEM. Results: Optimization results that provide the desired properties for AuNPs were a volume ratio of 1:2 (HAuCl₄: leaves extract), no significant difference (p>0.05) with the sequence of addition and reaction time, and acidic pH. The synthesized AuNPs' particles were found to contain hydroxyl and amine groups, had broad, amorphous, and spherical particles that have a mean diameter of 60.6nm, a PDI of 0.563, and a repulsion force of -13.720mV. The optimized and characterized AuNPs were then further used as a colorimetric sensing material, showing the potential applicability of AuNPs in the heavy metal analysis. Conclusion Gold nanoparticles were able to be synthesized with the use of bioreductants that are present in the aqueous leaves extract of Katmon. This concludes that endemic plants in the Philippines can be used for the synthesis of AuNPs and can be applied in the field of phytonanotechnology and other applied sciences.
Surface Plasmon Resonance