Bactericidal activity of Cannabis sativa phytochemicals from leaf extract and their derived Carbon Dots and Ag@Carbon Dots

The present was the first report on the synthesis of Carbon dots (CDs) using the acetone leaf extract of Cannabis sativa, an abundant weed plant as a sole carbon precursor. The obtained similar to 5 nm spherical CD particles (exhibiting 13% absolute quantum yield) were further employed to synthesize silver@CDs (Ag@CDs). CDs and Ag@CDs characterization revealed characteristic functional groups attributing to the aromatic, carboxylated and hydroxylated moieties. Ether and acetone leaf extracts of C sativa exhibited strong antibacterial activity against dental microflora. Statistical analysis indicated 42 mu g/mL as the significant MIC of Ag@CDs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (rho < 0.0001). The results suggested weed abundance as an excellent natural carbon reserve and the biosynthesized Ag@CDs carry a great potential for the antibacterial application. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.