Hydrothermal synthesis of gelatin quantum dots for high-performance biological imaging applications

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2020-11, Vol.212, p.112014, Article 112014
• Main Authors: Paul, Saikat, Banerjee, Sovan Lal, Khamrai, Moumita, Samanta, Sarthik, Singh, Shreya, Kundu, Patit Paban, Ghosh, Anup K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Cell imaging; E coli; Fluorescent; Fluoroscopic imaging; Fourier transforms; Fungi; Gelatin; Infrared spectroscopy; Luminescence; Mycelia; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Photoluminescence; Photons; Quantum dots; Synthesis; Transmission electron microscopy; Tumor cell lines; Yeasts
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.112014

In the present study, we are reporting a one-pot synthesis of gelatin quantum dots (GeQDs) by the hydrothermal process. The synthesized GeQDs were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques, and also by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The GeQDs showed a high level of photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) with significantly higher stability for up to 6 months and presented similar fluorescent intensity as the initial PLQY without any precipitation and aggregation at ambient condition. The cell imaging ability of synthesized GeQDs was examined using cells belonging to diverse clinical backgrounds like bacterial cells including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, yeast cells including Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis, mycelial fungi including Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus cells, cancer cell lines A549, HEK293 and L929. The results demonstrated that the GeQDs illuminates the cells and can be utilized as potential cell labeling non-toxic biomarkers. In conclusion, it can be said that the gelatin stabilized QDs are a promising candidate for stable and long-term fluorescent imaging of different types of cells. [Display omitted] •Non-toxic gelatin quantum dots (GeQDs) have been synthesized via hydrothermal method.•The GeQDs were used for the cell imaging of bacterial cells including E. coli and S. aureus.•The GeQDs were used for the cell imaging of yeast cells including C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis•The GeQDs were used for the cell imaging of mycelial fungi including A. flavus and A. fumigatus cells.•The GeQDs were used for the cell imaging of A549, HEK293, L929 cell lines.