Abstract
Fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) were fabricated from Anogeissus latifolia (Gum ghatti) gum extract using direct microwave pyrolysis method. The C-dots are fine-tuned concerning three parameters, viz., NaOH addition (presence and absence), microwave power, and irradiation time. C-dots optical properties were investigated through UV–visible (UV–Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman Spectroscopy, physiochemical properties of synthesized C-dots were inspected. The average size of C-dots was estimated to be 4.8 ± 2 nm and is amorphous. These C-dots displayed high solubility in an aqueous medium due to oxygen functionality, and showed good fluorescence stability to high-ionic concentration and varied pH. The fluorescence spectra outcomes specified that C-dots exhibited excitation-dependent emission behavior. Furthermore, the C-dots biological function was tested for cell biocompatibility and bioimaging. The cytotoxicity studies were performed on Vero cell lines and compared with THP-1 human monocyte cell lines at different concentrations. The results revealed good biocompatibility app. 80 and 90% for Vero and THP-1 cell lines even after 24 h incubation with the C-dots. Finally, by employing C-dots as the fluorescent tool, THP-1 cells were imaged successfully via a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) in a concentration-dependent manner.
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Acknowledgements
Author Anithadevi sincerely thank Dr. L. Sujatha and Dr. Suresh, MEMS Department, Raja Lakshmi Engineering College for providing analytical facility. We honor Madras Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu for providing the facilities. We acknowledge our Principal Dr. P. Wilson and Head of Chemistry Department Dr. E. Iyyappan, for their encouragement.
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All the authors have contributed to the structural formation of this work. Anithadevi Sekar designed and participated in all experimental procedures, performed data analysis, and drafted the manuscript. Ganesh Munuswamy-Ramanujam provided help in performing biological studies. Rakhi Yadav and Pandian Kannaiyan supervised the study and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Sekar, A., Yadav, R., Kannaiyan, P. et al. Evaluation of biopolymer-derived carbon dots as cancer diagnostic biomarkers for human monocyte cell lines (THP-1). 3 Biotech 11, 31 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02568-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02568-9