Characteristics of Mussels-Derived Carbon Dots and Their Applications in Bio-Imaging and Detection of Riboflavin

Abstract

A simple and green strategy has been demonstrated for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) from mussels. The chemical structure and optical properties of mussels-derived CDs prepared at different reaction temperatures (140, 160, and 180 °C) were evaluated. The average size of synthesized fluorescent CDs decreased from 2.06 to 1.30 nm as reaction temperatures increased from 140 to 180 °C. The fluorescence quantum yield of CDs could reach up to 15.20%. The surface of CDs was rich in functional groups such as -OH, -NH2, and -COOH, providing CDs with good water solubility and biocompatibility. Furthermore, the mussel-derived CDs have been successfully applied in bio-imaging for onion endothelium cells, HepG2 cells, and zebrafish. In addition, CDs could be employed as a biosensor for riboflavin detection. Therefore, mussels are a promising carbon resource for preparing N-doped CDs for bio-imaging and monitoring riboflavin.

An overview on animal/human biomass-derived carbon dots for optical sensing and bioimaging applications

“…151 A similar temperature effect on s av and QY was also noticed for N-CDs derived from chicken, 158 pork, 164 and mussel seafood. 188 Furthermore, it was observed that the decay curves of animal/human biosource-derived CDs exactly tted either mono-exponential or bi-/tri-exponential decay kinetics (Table S1 †). Multiple s means the involvement of different energy levels, defect states, and surface uorophores, resulting in diverse recombination states of excitons.…”

“…Marine crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, prawn, and crayfish are highly consumed seafood worldwide, and also recognized as natural sources for the synthesis of animal biomass-derived CDs. Heteroatom-doped CDs were successfully synthesized from shrimp egg, 173 prawn shells, 174–176 dried shrimp, 177 crab shells, 178–181 shrimp shells, 182–184 crayfish shells, 185–187 and mussel seafood 188 using different synthetic protocols (Table 1). The applicability of the ultrasonication method in the synthesis of N-CDs from crab shells is shown in Fig.…”

“…196 Subsequently, a biosensor was developed based on mussel seafood-derived N-CDs for the detection of riboavin (through FRET) with an LOD as low as 6.06 nM. 188 7.1.2.2 Anion sensor. Prawn shell-derived N-CDs were used for the uorometric detection of nitrite ion (NO 2 − ) in water.…”

“…Moreover, a linear dependence was also observed in some animal-derived doped CDs, 127,139,180 which is crucial for pH sensor application. The pH-dependent PL features of doped CDs derived from various animal/human sources such as egg white, 133 Bombyx mori silk, 138 cocoon silk, 139 spider silk, 142 roasted duck, 156 bee pollen, 172 prawn shell, 174 crayfish shell, 185–187 mussel seafood, 188 cow milk, 191,199 hen feathers, 207 pig skin collagen, 211 pigeon manure, 221 fish scales, 223,227 carp roe, 233 human hair, 239,240 human urine, 245 and human fingernails 247 were often explained by the protonation–deprotonation of the functional groups present on their surface. The protonation–deprotonation mechanism of doped CDs under different pH conditions were also endorsed by the changes in their zeta potential.…”

“…196 Subsequently, a biosensor was developed based on mussel seafood-derived N-CDs for the detection of riboflavin (through FRET) with an LOD as low as 6.06 nM. 188…”