Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dot Nanoparticles Derived from Byproducts in Bio-Refinery Process for Cell Imaging and In Vivo Bioimaging

Abstract

The carbon quantum dot (CQD), a fluorescent carbon nanoparticle, has attracted considerable interest due to its photoluminescent property and promising applications in cell imaging and bioimaging. In this work, biocompatible, photostable, and sustainably sourced CQDs were synthesized from byproducts derived from a biorefinery process using one-pot hydrothermal treatment. The main components of byproducts were the degradation products (autohydrolyzate) of biomass pretreated by autohydrolysis. The as-synthesized CQDs had a size distribution from 2.0–6.0 nm and had high percentage of sp2 and sp3 carbon groups. The CQDs showed blue-green fluorescence with a quantum yield of ~13%, and the fluorescence behaviors were found to be stable with strong resistance to photobleaching and temperature change. In addition, it is found that the as-synthesized CQDs could be used for imaging of cells and tumors, which show potential applications in bioimaging and related fields such as phototherapy and imaging.

Simultaneous and Efficient Production of Furfural and Subsequent Glucose in MTHF/H2O Biphasic System via Parameter Regulation

“…Therefore, the removal of hemicelluloses was beneficial to improve the glucose yield, and the results of enzymatic hydrolysis also confirmed this conclusion. The bands about aromatic skeletal vibrations and the C−H deformation were distinctly observed at 1608, 1512, and 1427 cm −1 in all the spectra of the resulting residues [37,38]. This suggested that the enhancement of the process severities during the MTHF/H 2 O system had no evident influence on the structure and content of the lignin.…”

Green synthesis, biomedical and biotechnological applications of carbon and graphene quantum dots. A review

“…Optical images of the carbon quantum dot-wheat straw distributions in the tumor-bearing mouse over increasing times, as well as optical images of fluorescence intensities within the harvested organs can be observed in Fig. 7 (Huang et al 2019a).…”

“…Carbon quantum dots (~ 2.0-6.0 nm) with good biocompatibility, photostability, and sustainability attributes were prepared from by-products derived from a biorefinery procedure using one-pot hydrothermal treatment ( Fig. 4) (Huang et al 2019a). The significant components of by-products were the degradation products (autohydrolyzate) of biomass pretreated by autohydrolysis.…”

“…The carbon quantum dots 1 3 Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots from biorefinery by-products, as the precursor, with good biocompatibility, photostability and sustainability attributes. Reprinted with permission from Huang et al (2019a) showed blue-green fluorescence with a quantum yield of about 13%, and the fluorescence behaviors were reported to be stable with remarkable resistance to photobleaching and temperature alterations (Huang et al 2019a).…”

“…Carbon quantum dots possess excellent drug/gene loading capability in view of their biocompatibility, non-toxicity and photoluminescence properties, where their small size and Fig. 7 a In vivo fluorescence imaging of nude mice after intravenous injection of carbon quantum dot-wheat straw solution; b representative fluorescence images of dissected organs of a mouse after intravenous injection of carbon quantum dot-wheat straw solution for 24 h. Reprinted with permission from Huang et al (2019a) large surface area allow rapid cellular uptake with limited influence on drug activity (Gogoi and Chowdhury 2014;Karthik et al 2013). Lee et al (2014) confirmed the delivery of doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo using carbon dots; doxorubicin was loaded on carbon dots via electrostatic interactions with 95% loading efficiency and induced death of HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cells as well as tumor in mice.…”