The News
Nanoparticles and Big Macs: good combo
COLUMBIA, Mo., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say a plant extract used to stabilize foods such as Big Macs can also stabilize gold nanoparticles used to detect cancers.
Professor Kattesh Katti, director of the University of Missouri Cancer Nanotechnology Platform, and colleagues tested plant extracts for their ability as non-toxic vehicles to stabilize and deliver nanoparticles for in vivo nanomedicinal applications.
The researchers determined gum arabic, used to stabilize foods such as yogurt, Big Macs and soda, can absorb and assimilate metals, creating a "coating" that makes gold nanoparticles stable and non-toxic.

The Research
Read the research behind this story in the journal Small.