Currently I have observed a new "phenomenon":
On previous batches of formulating colloidal gold using the chemical method, I used cinnamon xtrct, and sodium carbonate as my pH buffer to reach the desired pH for ruby red microspheres. This formula worked great, yet I had witnessed a lot of mold growth in many batches after a few weeks, even in the fridge. The mold growth happened with colloidal silver as well. The mold I speak of looks like floating balls of "fuzz". The reason I believe this is mold is because I once made a highly concentrated "cold brew" of jasmine tea, kept it in the fridge, and after a week, saw the same fuzzy visitors within that vessel.
With my newer batches, I have switched my electrolyte to sodium hydroxide, with no signs of growth of mold. I have had a sample sitting here for almost a year, and it finally dawned on me that I needed to try this electrolyte again.
What I postulate is that sodium carbonate has an affinity for this mold growth. Does this fall under the laws of organic chemistry? It baffles me why one electrolyte is different than the other in regards to spoilage, even when the pH remains the same between the two.