In vivo fluorescence studies of whole blood after chitosan bio-functionalized gold nanorods administration

Gold nanorods (GNR) have been prepared by a seed mediated method and then functionalized with chitosan, in order to increase their biocompatibility. The interaction of GNR with whole blood has been assessed by means of fluorescence spectroscopy. The whole blood gives rise to a fluorescence emission peak with the maximum centered at 475 nm when a 410 nm excitation wavelength has been used. In vivo assessment of the existence of nanorods in the bloodstream is proven by the increase of the whole blood fluorescence due to metal enhanced fluorescence phenomenon, which leads to an increase of fluorescence emission in the close vicinity of noble metal anisotropic nanostructures.