Silver nanoclusters are probably better and cheaper protecting agents for protein from UVC radiation compared to gold nanoclusters.

It has been shown experimentally that the albumin proteins can be significantly protected by silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) from the adverse effects of UVC radiation. The parameters have been compared with the effects of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) under similar circumstances. The protection depends on the absorptive power of the metal cluster. Since serum albumin is found in blood and lysozyme in tears, saliva, sweat, and other body fluids, hence these are often vulnerable to attack by the exposure to UV radiation. It is also shown that, the AgNCs provide greater benefits over the application of AuNCs by being more biocompatible and cheap. Au being an expensive material, a cheaper protective option is always viable as the protective mechanism depends on the radiation absorption capability of the metal core. Moreover, it has also been shown that glucose helps in protecting the proteins attached to the AgNCs.