One-step colloidal synthesis of biocompatible water-soluble ZnS quantum dot/chitosan nanoconjugates

Screen-printed electrode designed with MXene/doped-polyindole and MWCNT/doped-polyindole for chronoamperometric enzymatic glucose sensor

The enzymatic glucose sensors as modified by MXene-dPIn and MWCNT-dPIn on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) were investigated. Herein, MXene was molybdenum carbide (Mo3C2) which has never been utilized and reported for glucose sensors. The biopolymer type to support the enzyme immobilization was examined and compared between chitosan (CHI) and κ-carrageenan (κC). MWCNT-dPIn obviously showed a larger electroactive surface area, lower charge transfer resistance and higher redox current than Mo3C2-dPIn, indicating that MWCNT-dPIn is superior to Mo3C2-dPIn. For the chitosan-based sensors, the sensitivity value of CHI-GOD/Mo3C2-dPIn is 3.53 μA mM-1 cm-2 in the linear range of 2.5-10 mM with the calculated LOD of 1.57 mM. The sensitivity value of CHI-GOD/MWCNT-dPIn is 18.85 μA mM-1 cm-2 in the linear range of 0.5-25 mM with the calculated LOD of 0.115 mM. For the κ-carrageenan based sensors, κC-GOD/MWCNT-dPIn exhibits the sensitivity of 15.80 μA mM-1 cm-2 and the widest linear range from 0.1 to 50 mM with the calculated LOD of 0.03 mM. The presently fabricated sensors exhibit excellent reproducibility, good selectivity, high stability, and disposal use. The fabricated glucose sensors are potential as practical glucose sensors as the detectable glucose ranges well cover the glucose levels found in blood, urine, and sweat for both healthy people and diabetic patients.

Nanoplexes of ZnS quantum dot-poly-l-lysine/iron oxide nanoparticle-carboxymethylcellulose for photocatalytic degradation of dyes and antibacterial activity in wastewater treatment

The contamination and pollution of wastewater with a wide diversity of chemical, microbiological, and hazardous substances is a field of raising environmental concern. In this study, we developed, for the first time, new hybrid multifunctional nanoplexes composed of ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (ZnS QDs) chemically biofunctionalized with epsilon-poly-l-lysine (ɛPL) and coupled with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MION, Fe₃O₄) stabilized by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) for the photodegradation (ZnS) of organic molecules and antibacterial activity (ɛPL) with a potential of recovery by an external magnetic field (Fe₃O₄). These nanosystems, which were synthesized entirely through a green aqueous process, were comprehensively characterized regarding their physicochemical properties combined with spectroscopic and morphological features. The results demonstrated that supramolecular colloidal nanoplexes were formed owing to the strong cationic/anionic electrostatic interactions between the biomacromolecule capping ligands of the two nanoconjugates (i.e., polypeptide in ZnS@ɛPL and polysaccharide in Fe₃O₄@CMC). Moreover, these nanosystems showed photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) used as a model dye pollutant in water. Besides MB, methyl orange, congo red, and rhodamine dyes were also tested for selectivity investigation of the photodegradation by the nanoplexes. The antibacterial activity ascribed to the ɛPL biomolecule was confirmed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including drug-resistance field strains. Hence, it is envisioned that these novel green nanoplexes offer a new avenue of alternatives to be employed for reducing organic pollutants and inactivating pathogenic bacteria in water and wastewater treatment, benefiting from easy magnetic recovery.

Maillard reaction products-based encapsulant system formed between chitosan and corn syrup solids: Influence of solution pH on formation kinetic and antioxidant activity

Maillard reaction products (MRPs) between chitosan and various sugars with enhanced antioxidant activity were previously produced. However, few reports address the chitosan and corn syrup solids system that has been successfully used to encapsulate nutraceutical oils. Maillard reaction is pH-responsive, the influence of solution pH on the formation kinetic and antioxidant activity of MRPs was therefore evaluated in this work. FT-IR and zeta-potential results confirmed the formation of MRPs between chitosan and corn syrup solids. Possible Amadori compounds signals were observed clearly in the ¹H NMR spectrum. Brown color development depended on initial solution pH, following a zero-order kinetic regression. Antioxidant activity of reaction products was higher than the native system and increased with an increase in the initial pH of the solution. Developed MRPs with a dual function as antioxidant and encapsulant can possibly be used to protect emulsified oil from oxidation.

Aqueous-phase synthesized CdTe quantum dots: an insight into nanoparticle architecture-quantum yield relationship, characterization, and computational study of small clusters

Aqueous-phase synthesis of highly luminescent CdTe QDs, insight on the influence of core composition, ligand type, molar ratio, reaction time, and shell type over QY, and computational study of small non-stoichiometric clusters.

Keratin-Chitosan Microcapsules via Membrane Emulsification and Interfacial Complexation

The continuous fabrication via membrane emulsification of stable microcapsules using renewable, biodegradable biopolymer wall materials keratin and chitosan is reported here for the first time. Microcapsule formation was based on opposite charge interactions between keratin and chitosan, which formed polyelectrolyte complexes when solutions were mixed at pH 5.5. Interfacial complexation was induced by transfer of keratin-stabilized primary emulsion droplets to chitosan solution, where the deposition of chitosan around droplets formed a core-shell structure. Capsule formation was demonstrated both in batch and continuous systems, with the latter showing a productivity up to 4.5 million capsules per minute. Keratin-chitosan microcapsules (in the 30-120 μm range) released less encapsulated nile red than the keratin-only emulsion, whereas microcapsules cross-linked with glutaraldehyde were stable for at least 6 months, and a greater amount of cross-linker was associated with enhanced dye release under the application of force due to increased shell brittleness. In light of recent bans involving microplastics in cosmetics, applications may be found in skin-pH formulas for the protection of oils or oil-soluble compounds, with a possible mechanical rupture release mechanism (e.g., rubbing on skin).

Aqueous Modification of Chitosan with Itaconic Acid to Produce Strong Oxygen Barrier Film

In this study, the chemical modification of chitosan using itaconic acid as a natural-based unsaturated dicarboxylic acid was investigated. In an aqueous environment, the amine group of chitosan reacts with itaconic acid to produce a chitosan derivative with pyrrolidone-4-carboxylic acid group. On the basis of the elemental analysis, 15% of the amine groups of chitosan reacted, thus creating modified chitosan with amine and carboxylic acid functionalities. Due to the presence of amine and carboxylic acid groups, the surface charge properties of the chitosan were notably altered after itaconic acid modification. In an aqueous solution, the modified chitosan exhibited zwitterionic properties, being cationic at low pH and turning anionic when the pH was increased over 6.5, whereas the original chitosan remained cationic until pH 9. Furthermore, it was demostrated that the modified chitosan was suitable for the preparation of a self-standing film with similarly high transparency but notably higher mechanical strength and oxygen barrier properties compared to a film made from the original chitosan. In addition, the thermal stability of the modified chitosan film was higher than that of the original chitosan film, and the modified chitosan exhibited flame-retardant properties.

Mn2+ ions incorporated into ZnS x Se1-x colloidal quantum dots: controlling size and composition of nanoalloys and regulating magnetic dipolar interactions

A facile synthesis method is introduced how to prepare magnetically active ultraviolet emitting manganese ions incorporated into ZnS x Se1-x colloidal quantum dot (nanoalloy) at 110 °C in aqueous solutions. The reaction time is the main factor to control the hydrodynamic size from 3 to 10 nm and the precursor ratio is significant to tune the alloy composition. ZnS shell layer on the ZnS x Se1-x core was grown to passivate environmental effects. The nanoalloy has ultraviolet emission at 380 nm having a lifetime of 80 ns and 7% quantum yield. The incorporation of Mn2+ ions into the nanoalloys induced magnetic activity but did not modify the structure and photophysical properties of the nanoalloys. Colloidal and powdery samples were prepared and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In the colloidal dispersions, EPR spectra showed hyperfine line splitting regardless of the Mn2+ ion fractions, up to 6%, indicating that Mn2+ ions incorporated into the nanoalloys were isolated. EPR signals of the powdery samples were broadened when the fraction of Mn2+ ions was higher than 0.1%. The EPR spectra were simulated to reveal the locations and interactions of Mn2+ ions. The simulations suggest that the Mn2+ ions are located on the nanoalloy surfaces. These findings infer that the magnetic dipolar interactions are regulated by the initial mole ratio of Mn/Zn and the physical state of the nanoalloys adjusted by preparation methods.

Biodegradable polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan and partially crosslinked dextran phosphate with potential for biomedical applications

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are spontaneously formed by mixing oppositely charged polyelectrolyte solutions without the use of organic solvents and chemical crosslinkers are great candidate carriers for drug delivery. Herein, biodegradable antimicrobial polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan - dextran phosphate (DPCS) containing cefazolin were developed and characterized in order to assess their suitability for biomedical applications. For this purpose, the simultaneous partial crosslinking and functionalization of dextran with phosphoric acid in a urea melt under reduced pressure were studied. The functional group content and molecular weight of dextran phosphate were varied in order to establish their influence on gel fraction yield, thermal properties and morphologies of the hydrogels. The stoichiometric PECs of DPCS showed good in vitro biocompatibility, pH sensitivity and biodegradability depending on the hydrogel composition. The release of drug from cefazolin-loaded DPCS hydrogels was through non-Fickian diffusion and displayed long sustained-release time. The drug-loaded hydrogels showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The tunable degradation behavior under physiological conditions in combination with biocompatibility of the pristine DPCS and high antibacterial efficacy drug-loaded hydrogels may render the presented materials interesting for biomedical applications.

Lignin nanoparticles are renewable and functional platforms for the concanavalin a oriented immobilization of glucose oxidase-peroxidase in cascade bio-sensing

Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) acted as a renewable and efficient platform for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOX) by a layer by layer procedure. The use of concanavalin A as a molecular spacer ensured the correct orientation and distance between the two enzymes as confirmed by Förster resonance energy transfer measurement. Layers with different chemo–physical properties tuned in a different way the activity and kinetic parameters of the enzymatic cascade, with cationic lignin performing as the best polyelectrolyte in the retention of the optimal Con A aggregation state. Electrochemical properties, temperature and pH stability, and reusability of the novel systems have been studied, as well as their capacity to perform as colorimetric biosensors in the detection of glucose using ABTS and dopamine as chromogenic substrates. A boosting effect of LNPs was observed during cyclovoltammetry analysis. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be better than, or comparable to, that previously reported for other HRP–GOX immobilized systems, the best results being again obtained in the presence of a cationic lignin polyelectrolyte. Thus renewable lignin platforms worked as smart and functional devices for the preparation of green biosensors in the detection of glucose.

Lignin nanoparticles as functional renewable nanoplatform for the immobilization of cascade process in colorimetric biosensing of β-d-glucose.

Ligand-assisted synthesis and cytotoxicity of ZnSe quantum dots stabilized by N-(2-carboxyethyl)chitosans

Here we report a green synthesis of ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution of polyampholyte chitosan derivative - N-(2-carboxyethyl)chitosan (CEC) with substitution degrees (DS) from 0.7 to 1.3 and molecular weight (MW) of 40 kDa and 150 kDa. We have shown that the maximum intensity of photoluminescence (PL) is exhibited by ZnSe QDs synthesized in solutions of CEC with DS 1 at Se:Zn molar ratio 1:2.5. The defect-related band was predominant in the PL spectra of ZnSe QDs obtained at room temperature; however, hydrothermal treatment at 80-150 °C during 1-2 h significantly increased contribution of exciton emission to the spectra. Cytotoxicity of ZnSe QDs was investigated by MTT assay using cancer cell lines SKOV-3; SkBr-3; PANC-1; Colon-26 and human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293. Cytotoxicity of ZnSe QDs did not depend on MW or DS of CEC but significantly depended on the cell line, being the lowest for normal human cells HEK293 and breast cancer cell line SKOV-3. The hydrothermally treated ZnSe QDs showed higher toxicity toward both normal and cancer cell lines. Since ZnSe QDs were toxic for most of the investigated cancer cell lines, they cannot be used as inert tracers for bioimaging, but can be promising for further investigation for anticancer therapy.

Increased ROS Scavenging and Antioxidant Efficiency of Chlorogenic Acid Compound Delivered via a Chitosan Nanoparticulate System for Efficient In Vitro Visualization and Accumulation in Human Renal Adenocarcinoma Cells

Naturally existing Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an antioxidant-rich compound reported to act a chemopreventive agent by scavenging free radicals and suppressing cancer-causing mechanisms. Conversely, the compound’s poor thermal and pH (neutral and basic) stability, poor solubility, and low cellular permeability have been a huge hindrance for it to exhibit its efficacy as a nutraceutical compound. Supposedly, encapsulation of CGA in chitosan nanoparticles (CNP), nano-sized colloidal delivery vector, could possibly assist in enhancing its antioxidant properties, in vitro cellular accumulation, and increase chemopreventive efficacy at a lower concentration. Hence, in this study, a stable, monodispersed, non-toxic CNP synthesized via ionic gelation method at an optimum parameter (600 µL of 0.5 mg/mL of chitosan and 200 µL of 0.7 mg/mL of tripolyphosphate), denoted as CNP°, was used to encapsulate CGA. Sequence of physicochemical analyses and morphological studies were performed to discern the successful formation of the CNP°-CGA hybrid. Antioxidant property (studied via DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay), in vitro antiproliferative activity of CNP°-CGA, and in vitro accumulation of fluorescently labeled (FITC) CNP°-CGA in cancer cells were evaluated. Findings revealed that successful formation of CNP°-CGA hybrid was reveled through an increase in particle size 134.44 ± 18.29 nm (polydispersity index (PDI) 0.29 ± 0.03) as compared to empty CNP°, 80.89 ± 5.16 nm (PDI 0.26 ± 0.01) with a maximal of 12.04 μM CGA loaded per unit weight of CNP° using 20 µM of CGA. This result correlated with Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis, transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning (FESEM) electron microscopy, and ImageJ evaluation. The scavenging activity of CNP°-CGA (IC₅₀ 5.2 ± 0.10 µM) were conserved and slightly higher than CNP° (IC₅₀ 6.4±0.78 µM). An enhanced cellular accumulation of fluorescently labeled CNP°-CGA in the human renal cancer cells (786-O) as early as 30 min and increased time-dependently were observed through fluorescent microscopic visualization and flow cytometric assessment. A significant concentration-dependent antiproliferation activity of encapsulated CGA was achieved at IC₅₀ of 16.20 µM as compared to CGA itself (unable to determine from the cell proliferative assay), implying that the competent delivery vector, chitosan nanoparticle, is able to enhance the intracellular accumulation, antiproliferative activity, and antioxidant properties of CGA at lower concentration as compared to CGA alone.

Preparation and characterisation of novel water-soluble β-carotene-chitooligosaccharides complexes

β-carotene and chitooligosaccharides are bioactive compounds that find their application in the food industry as well in biomedical fields. However, the application of β-carotene is limited due to its very low water solubility, as well as its air, light and temperature sensitivity. The preparation of β-carotene-chitooligosaccharides complexes by mechanochemical methods was presented. Their physical and chemical properties including solubility, size, zeta potential and radical scavenging activity were investigated. The interaction of the two components was shown by NMR, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The complexes were analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Chitooligosaccharides could serve as a carrier for β-carotene delivery. The complexation did not cause the loss of the radical scavenging activity of β-carotene and guaranteed its water solubility.

Zinc-Based Biomaterials for Regeneration and Therapy

Zinc has been described as the 'calcium of the twenty-first century'. Zinc-based degradable biomaterials have recently emerged thanks to their intrinsic physiological relevance, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and pro-regeneration properties. Zinc-based biomaterials mainly include: metallic zinc alloys, zinc ceramic nanomaterials, and zinc metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Metallic zinc implants degrade at a desirable rate, matching the healing pace of local tissues, and stimulating remodeling and formation of new tissues. Zinc ceramic nanomaterials are also beneficial for tissue engineering and therapy thanks to their nanostructures and antibacterial properties. MOFs have large surface areas and are easily functionalized, making them ideal for drug delivery and cancer therapy. This review highlights recent developments in zinc-based biomaterials, discusses obstacles to overcome, and pinpoints directions for future research.

Fluorescent ZnS Quantum Dots-Phosphoethanolamine Nanoconjugates for Bioimaging Live Cells in Cancer Research

Many human diseases, including metabolic, immune, and central nervous system disorders, as well as several types of cancers, are the consequence of an important alteration in lipid-related metabolic biomolecules. Although recognized that one of the most important metabolic hallmarks of cancer cells is deregulation of lipid metabolism, the multiple complex signaling pathways are poorly understood yet. Thus, in this research, novel nanoconjugates made of ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were directly synthesized in aqueous media using phosphoethanolamine (PEA) as the capping ligand, which is an important biomolecule naturally present in cells for de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids and phospholipids involved in the cell structure (e.g., membrane), differentiation, and cancer growth. These QD-PEA bio-nanoconjugates were characterized by spectroscopical and morphological techniques. The results demonstrated that fluorescent ZnS nanocrystalline QDs were produced with uniform spherical morphology and estimated sizes of 3.3 ± 0.6 nm. These nanoconjugates indicated core-shell colloidal nanostructures (ZnS QD-PEA) with the hydrodynamic diameter (H _D) of 26.0 ± 3.5 nm and ζ-potential centered at -30.0 ± 4.5 mV. The cell viability response using mitochondrial activity assay in vitroconfirmed no cytotoxicity at several concentrations of PEA (biomolecule) and the ZnS-PEA nanoconjugates. Moreover, these nanoconjugates effectively behaved as fluorescent nanomarkers for tracking the endocytic pathways of cancer cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy bioimaging. Hence, these results proved that biofunctionalized ZnS-PEA nanoprobes offer prospective tools for cellular bioimaging with encouraging forecast for future applications as active fluorescent biomarker conjugates in metabolic-related cancer research.

Mechanochemistry of Chitosan-Coated Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) Nanocrystals for Bio-imaging Applications

The ZnS nanocrystals were prepared in chitosan solution (0.1 wt.%) using a wet ultra-fine milling. The obtained suspension was stable and reached high value of zeta potential (+57 mV). The changes in FTIR spectrum confirmed the successful surface coating of ZnS nanoparticles by chitosan. The prepared ZnS nanocrystals possessed interesting optical properties verified in vitro. Four cancer cells were selected (CaCo-2, HCT116, HeLa, and MCF-7), and after their treatment with the nanosuspension, the distribution of ZnS in the cells was studied using a fluorescence microscope. The particles were clearly seen; they passed through the cell membrane and accumulated in cytosol. The biological activity of the cells was not influenced by nanoparticles, they did not cause cell death, and only the granularity of cells was increased as a consequence of cellular uptake. These results confirm the potential of ZnS nanocrystals using in bio-imaging applications.

One-Pot Aqueous Synthesis of Fluorescent Ag-In-Zn-S Quantum Dot/Polymer Bioconjugates for Multiplex Optical Bioimaging of Glioblastoma Cells

Cancer research has experienced astonishing advances recently, but cancer remains a major threat because it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor, where the early diagnosis is vital for longer survival. Thus, this study reports the synthesis of novel water-dispersible ternary AgInS2 (AIS) and quaternary AgInS2-ZnS (ZAIS) fluorescent quantum dots using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as ligand for multiplexed bioimaging of malignant glioma cells (U-87 MG). Firstly, AgInS2 core was prepared using a one-pot aqueous synthesis stabilized by CMC at room temperature and physiological pH. Then, an outer layer of ZnS was grown and thermally annealed to improve their optical properties and split the emission range, leading to core-shell alloyed nanostructures. Their physicochemical and optical properties were characterized, demonstrating that luminescent monodispersed AIS and ZAIS QDs were produced with average sizes of 2.2 nm and 4.3 nm, respectively. Moreover, the results evidenced that they were cytocompatible using in vitro cell viability assays towards human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293T) and U-87 MG cells. These AIS and ZAIS successfully behaved as fluorescent nanoprobes (red and green, resp.) allowing multiplexed bioimaging and biolabeling of costained glioma cells using confocal microscopy.

Synthesis and Characterization of Surface Modified, Fluorescent and Biocompatible ZnS Nanoparticles with a Hydrophobic Chitosan Derivative

The introduction of a hydrophobic moiety on chitosan enhances the self-assembling properties, mucoadhesion, the permeability of the macromolecule and aids in target specific delivery. Our group synthesized a hydrophobic trans N-(6,6-Dimethyl-2-hepten-4-ynyl)chitosan derivative (CSD) and studied the surface modification of ZnS nanoparticles in a single pot reaction. X-ray diffraction studies and FESEM imaging confirms the nano size and morphology of the surface modified Zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-CSD NPs). The proposed ZnS-CSD NPs showed excellent emission at 457 nm. Photostability studies indicate that the surface modified ZnS-CSD NPs possess better photostability than Rhodamine B and FITC. Cell viability tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the modified nanoparticles. All these features of ZnS- CSD NPs makes these candidates an excellent choice in a wide range of in vitro or in vivo studies as fluorescent biological labels.

Visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties of binary MoS2/ZnS heterostructured nanojunctions synthesized via one-step hydrothermal route

The MoS₂/ZnS binary heterojunctions obtained by a facile one-step hydrothermal route is competent to retrench the forbidden energy gap by creating sulfur vacancies. The tailoring of the lattice parameters of sulfides for interfacial charge transfer through the heterojunctions enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Biocompatible Fluorescent Core-Shell Nanoconjugates Based on Chitosan/Bi2S3 Quantum Dots

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) is a narrow-bandgap semiconductor that is an interesting candidate for fluorescent biomarkers, thermoelectrics, photocatalysts, and photovoltaics. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of novel Bi2S3 quantum dots (QDs) functionalized using chitosan (CHI) as the capping ligands via aqueous "green" route at room temperature and ambient pressure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ZP) analysis were used to characterize the hybrids made of biopolymer-functionalized Bi2S3 semiconductor nanocrystals. The results demonstrated that the CHI ligand was effective at nucleating and controlling the growth of water-soluble colloidal Bi2S3 nanoparticles. The average sizes of the Bi2S3 nanoparticles were significantly affected by the molar ratio of the precursors but less dependent on the pH of the aqueous media, leading to the formation of nanocrystals with average diameters varying from 4.2 to 6.7 nm. These surface-modified Bi2S3 nanocrystals with CHI exhibited photoluminescence in the visible spectral region. Moreover, the results of in vitro MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay with human osteosarcoma cells (SAOS) cell line demonstrated no cytotoxic response of the nanoconjugates.Furthermore, the results indicated that the Bi2S3 QD-CHI nanoconjugates showed HEK293T cell uptake; therefore, they can be potentially used as novel fluorescent nanoprobes for the in vitro bioimaging of cells in biomedical applications. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of the biocompatible core-shell nanostructure of the chitosan/Bi2S3 quantum dot conjugates with photoluminescent properties.

Folic acid targeted Mn:ZnS quantum dots for theranostic applications of cancer cell imaging and therapy

In this study, we synthesized a multifunctional nanoparticulate system with specific targeting, imaging, and drug delivering functionalities by following a three-step protocol that operates at room temperature and solely in aqueous media. The synthesis involves the encapsulation of luminescent Mn:ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with chitosan not only as a stabilizer in biological environment, but also to further provide active binding sites for the conjugation of other biomolecules. Folic acid was incorporated as targeting agent for the specific targeting of the nanocarrier toward the cells overexpressing folate receptors. Thus, the formed composite emits orange-red fluorescence around 600 nm and investigated to the highest intensity at Mn(2+) doping concentration of 15 at.% and relatively more stable at low acidic and low alkaline pH levels. The structural characteristics and optical properties were thoroughly analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Further characterization was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The cell viability and proliferation studies by means of MTT assay have demonstrated that the as-synthesized composites do not exhibit any toxicity toward the human breast cell line MCF-10 (noncancer) and the breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) up to a 500 µg/mL concentration. The cellular uptake of the nanocomposites was assayed by confocal laser scanning microscope by taking advantage of the conjugated Mn:ZnS QDs as fluorescence makers. The result showed that the functionalization of the chitosan-encapsulated QDs with folic acid enhanced the internalization and binding affinity of the nanocarrier toward folate receptor-overexpressed cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that due to the nontoxic nature of the composite, the as-synthesized nanoparticulate system can be used as a promising candidate for theranostic applications, especially for a simultaneous targeted drug delivery and cellular imaging.

Bioengineered quantum dot/chitosan-tripeptide nanoconjugates for targeting the receptors of cancer cells

Nanobiomaterials can be engineered to recognize cancer-specific receptors at the cellular level for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this work, we report the synthesis of novel multifunctional nanoconjugates composed of fluorescent inorganic semiconductor quantum dot (QD) cores and tripeptide-modified polysaccharide organic shells. These structures were designed for targeting and imaging the αvβ3 integrin receptors of cancer cells. Initially, chitosan was covalently bound with the RGD peptide using a crosslinker to form bioconjugates (RGD-chitosan), which were later utilized as capping ligands for the production of surface-functionalized CdS QDs via a single-step process in aqueous media at room temperature. These core-shell nanostructures were extensively characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential (ZP) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The TEM images and the UV-vis absorption results indicated the formation of ultra-small CdS QD nanocrystals with average diameters between 2.0 and 3.0 nm. In addition, the PL results demonstrated that the nanobioconjugates exhibited intense green fluorescence under excitation. The CdS-RGD-chitosan systems were effective at specific targeting integrin when assayed in vitro using two model cell cultures, HEK 293 (non-cancerous human embryonic kidney cell) and SAOS (cancerous sarcoma osteogenic-derived cells) imaged using fluorescence microscopy.

Quantum dot/glycol chitosan fluorescent nanoconjugates

In this study, novel carbohydrate-based nanoconjugates combining chemically modified chitosan with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) were designed and synthesised via single-step aqueous route at room temperature. Glycol chitosan (G-CHI) was used as the capping ligand aiming to improve the water solubility of the nanoconjugates to produce stable and biocompatible colloidal systems. UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterise the synthesis and the relative stability of biopolymer-capped semiconductor nanocrystals. The results clearly demonstrated that the glycol chitosan derivative was remarkably effective at nucleating and stabilising semiconductor CdS quantum dots in aqueous suspensions under acidic, neutral, and alkaline media with an average size of approximately 2.5 nm and a fluorescent activity in the visible range of the spectra.

Fluorescent nanohybrids based on quantum dot-chitosan-antibody as potential cancer biomarkers

Despite undeniable advances in medicine in recent decades, cancer is still one of the main challenges faced by scientists and professionals in the health sciences as it remains one of the world's most devastating diseases with millions of fatalities and new cases every year. Thus, in this work, we endeavored to synthesize and characterize novel multifunctional immunoconjugates composed of quantum dots (QDs) as the fluorescent inorganic core and antibody-modified polysaccharide as the organic shell, focusing on their potential applications for in vitro diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cancer tumors. Chitosan was covalently conjugated with anti-CD20 polyclonal antibody (pAbCD20) via formation of amide bonds between amines and carboxyl groups. In the sequence, these biopolymer-antibody immunoconjugates were utilized as direct capping ligands for biofunctionalization of CdS QDs (CdS/chitosan-pAbCD20) using a single-step process in aqueous medium at room temperature. The nanostructures were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), FTIR, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction. The TEM images associated with the UV-vis optical absorption results indicated formation of ultrasmall nanocrystals with average diameters in the range of 2.5-3.0 nm. Also, the PL results demonstrated that the immunoconjugates exhibited "green" fluorescent activity under ultraviolet excitation. Moreover, using in vitro laser light scattering immunoassay (LIA), the QDs/immunoconjugates have shown binding affinity against antigen CD20 (aCD20) expressed by lymphocyte-B cancer cells. In summary, innovative fluorescent nanoimmunoconjugate templates were developed with promising perspectives to be used in the future for detection and imaging of cancer tumors.