Curaua-derived carbon dots: Fluorescent probes for effective Fe(III) ion detection, cellular labeling and bioimaging

This study reports the generation of curau ' a-derived carbon dots (C-dots) and their suitability for Fe(III) detection, bioimaging and FACS analysis. C-dots were generated from curau ' a (Ananas erectifolius) fibers by a facile one-step hydrothermal approach. They exhibited graphite-like structure with a mean diameter of 2.4 nm, high water solubility, high levels of carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups, excitation-dependent multicolor fluorescence emission (in the range 450 nm 560 nm) and superior photostability. C-dots were highly selective and effective for the detection of ferric Fe(III) ion in an aqueous medium with a detection limit of 0.77 mu M in the linear range of 0-30 mu M, a value much lower than the guideline limits proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). In biological cell systems, C-dots were very well tolerated by B16F1 mouse melanoma and J774.A1 mouse macrophages cell lines, both of which effectively internalized C-dots in their cytoplasmic compartment. Finally, C dots were effective probes for long-term live cell imaging experiments and multi-channel flow cytometry analysis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that curau ' a-derived C-dots serve as versatile and effective natural products for Fe(III) ion sensing, labeling and bioimaging of various cell types. This study adds novel C-dots to the library of carbon-based probes and paves the way towards a sustainable conversion of a most abundant biomass waste into value-added products.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the generation of carbon dots (C-dots) derived from curau ' a fruit and their application in Fe(III) detection, bioimaging, and FACS analysis. C-dots exhibit high water solubility, excitation-dependent multicolor fluorescence emission, and superior photostability, making them effective for Fe(III) ion detection in aqueous medium. In biological cell systems, C-dots are well tolerated and effectively internalized, serving as versatile probes for long-term live cell imaging experiments and multi-channel flow cytometry analysis. Overall, curau ' a-derived C-dots show promise as natural products for sensing, labeling, and bioimaging various cell types.