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Green synthesis of multipurpose carbon quantum dots from red cabbage and estimation of their antioxidant potential and bio-labeling activity

  • Environmental biotechnology
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Abstract

We present a green synthesis of fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) by using red cabbage (rc) and a one-step hydrothermal approach. The rcCQDs were characterized by various techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesized rcCQDs exhibited an average size of 3 nm, measured by TEM, blue fluorescence, and a quantum yield of 8.3%. The highest emission band was observed at approximately 402 nm when excited at 330 nm. The rcCQDs exhibited strong antioxidant activities by scavenging 61, 56, and 91% against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and potassium permanganate radicals, respectively. The scavenging activity of rcCQDs was comparable with that of standard antioxidant L-ascorbic acid. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)–8 assay depicted superior bio-compatibility and negligible cytotoxicity of rcCQDs on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. They were used as a fluorescent probe for bio-labeling of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The viabilities of the labeled bacterial cells were analyzed by AFM and UV-visible spectroscopy. Furthermore, the rcCQDs were utilized as a fluorescent ink, an alternative to pens, and maybe suitable for paints and varnish agents. This study provides detailed mechanistic insights into the antioxidant activity of as-synthesized rcCQDs, which suggest the practical applicability of CQDs for bio-medical applications.

Key points

• Carbon quantum dots were prepared from red cabbage using the hydrothermal method.

• The scavenging activity of rcCQDs was evaluated for DPPH, OH, and KMnO4 radicals.

• The rcCQDs were used for the labeling of foodborne bacteria.

• The rcCQDs could be utilized as fluorescent ink.

Schematic representation of CQDs prepared from red cabbage (rc) with multifunctional applications

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Acknowledgments

The bacterial cultures used in the study were kindly provided by Probiotics laboratory, Gachon University, South Korea.

Funding

This work was supported by the Gachon University research funds of 2019 (GCU-2019-0704). This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea Government (2017R1A2B4004700).

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KY conceived and designed research. NS and GSD conducted experiments. NS contributed new material for analysis. NS analyzed data. NS wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kyusik Yun.

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Sharma, N., Das, G.S. & Yun, K. Green synthesis of multipurpose carbon quantum dots from red cabbage and estimation of their antioxidant potential and bio-labeling activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 104, 7187–7200 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-10726-5

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