Abstract: Disclosed are monodisperse gold nanoparticles (GNPs) manufactured by a facile, environmentally favorable process. Such a “green” synthesis process according to an embodiment of the invention effects the production of highly monodisperse, stable, catalytically active, and water-soluble GNPs in a considerable size range and advantageous yields. The production is accomplished inter alia through a single-step/single-phase method using dextrose as a reducing agent and as a capping agent in a buffered aqueous solution at moderate temperature. Disclosed also is a process for the direct embedment/integration of GNPs into biological systems such as the Escherichia coli bacterium without additional capping ligand or surface modification processes.