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Sensing of Fe3+ ions and fluorescent bioimaging probes utilizing calabura fruit-derived carbon nanoparticles

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Abstract

The calabura fruit (Muntingia calabura L.), one of the Neotropical trees with a high carbonate content, has been overlooked as an abundant fruit in Vietnam. In order to employ it as a reproducible raw resource with a credible application, an eco-friendly approach needs to be considerably developed for its use to be effective. Here, using a one-pot hydrothermal process, M. calabura was transformed into attractive fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). The optical and structural properties of the synthesized CNPs were analyzed using UV–Vis absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, TEM, Raman, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). According to the analysis, CNPs have an average diameter of ~ 25.9 nm. Interestingly, selective quenching of CNPs’ fluorescence by Fe3+ occurred in the range of 27 to 200 µM, with a detection limit of 43.7 µM. Furthermore, a probe of calabura fruit-derived CNPs in bioimaging was successfully applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Based on the findings, it would be beneficial to focus on creating CNPs structures with improved quality for sensing and biological applications.

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Acknowledgments

We very much appreciate the preparation of the biological sample by Vo Thi Phuoc at the Biology Department of University of Sciences, Hue University. The author is grateful to Le Vu Truong Son at Da Nang University for optical measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Hue City, Vietnam

    Ngo Khoa Quang

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  1. Ngo Khoa Quang
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The author confirms sole responsibility for the following: study conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation.

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Correspondence to Ngo Khoa Quang.

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This research used the available biological material and followed the law and the national ethical guidelines of Vietnam (Vietnam Ministry of Health, number 4259/QĐ-BYT).

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Quang, N.K. Sensing of Fe3+ ions and fluorescent bioimaging probes utilizing calabura fruit-derived carbon nanoparticles. MRS Advances (2024). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-024-00781-9

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