Photo-activated synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles from Punica granatum L. seed oil: An assessment on antioxidant and anticancer properties for functional yoghurt nutraceuticals.

Yoghurt is a fermenting milk-based dairy product that has high nutritional benefits. It exhibits not only protection against osteoporosis but also enhances gut microbiota and aids digestion. In order to improve health beneficial aspects of yoghurt, this study was aimed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using seeds oil of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and to formulate functional yoghurt for its antioxidant and anticancer properties. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR, XRD, EDX, SEM, DLS, and Zeta potential analyzer. The photo-induced synthesis of AuNPs showed particle size and zeta potential of 70 nm and +34 mV, respectively, with unique peak at 525 nm as observed using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The FT-IR spectrum of AuNPs showed shifts in the functional groups from 3632.27 to 541.899 cm^-1, thereby indicating the presence of various functional groups in pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and PSO-capped AuNPs. The AuNPs were observed to be smooth, elongated, and rectangular in shape. The PSO-capped AuNPs based formulation of functional yoghurt revealed DPPH degradation (23.6 ± 1.5 to 62.5 ± 1.8%) and H₂O₂ scavenging traits (21.6 ± 1.3 to 62.8 ± 1.8%) at varied concentrations. In addition, the PSO-capped AuNPs depicted strong anticancer attributes against lung and colon cancer with the cell viability ranging from 80.3 to 25% and 83.3 to 28.4.2%, respectively. Results concluded that the antioxidative components of PSO might have reduced and formulated AuNPs-based functional yoghurt. This functional yoghurt may reveal pivotal applications in food, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, especially as antioxidant and anticancer agents.