Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages
In this work, the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between carbon dots (CDs) as energy donors and riboflavin (RF) as an energy acceptor was optimized and the main parameters that characterize the FRET process were determined. The results were successfully applied in the development of an ult...
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/1981 |
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| author | Roberto Sotolongo-García Eustolia Rodríguez-Velázquez Manuel Alatorre-Meda Mercedes T. Oropeza-Guzmán Antonio Tirado-Guízar Georgina Pina-Luis |
| author_facet | Roberto Sotolongo-García Eustolia Rodríguez-Velázquez Manuel Alatorre-Meda Mercedes T. Oropeza-Guzmán Antonio Tirado-Guízar Georgina Pina-Luis |
| author_sort | Roberto Sotolongo-García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this work, the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between carbon dots (CDs) as energy donors and riboflavin (RF) as an energy acceptor was optimized and the main parameters that characterize the FRET process were determined. The results were successfully applied in the development of an ultrasensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the selective and sensitive determination of RF in different beverages. Water-soluble CDs with a high quantum yield (54%) were synthesized by a facile and direct microwave-assisted technique. The CDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, and UV-visible and molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. The study of the FRET process at two donor concentrations showed that the energy transfer efficiency decreases as the donor concentration increases, confirming its dependence on the acceptor:donor ratio in nanoparticle-based systems. The results show the importance of optimizing the FRET process conditions to improve the corresponding output signal. The variation in the ratiometric signal with the concentration of RF showed linearity in a concentration range of 0 to 11 µM with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9973 and a detection limit of 0.025 µM. The developed nanosensor showed good selectivity over other possible types of interference. The sensor was then applied for the determination of RF in beverage samples using the standard addition method with recoveries between 96% and 106%. Preliminary cytocompatibility tests carried out with breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) revealed the nanosensor to be cytocompatible in its working concentration regime, even after long incubation times with cells. Altogether, the developed RF determination method was found to be fast, low-cost, highly sensitive, and selective and can be extended to other samples of interest in the biological and food sectors. Moreover, thanks to its long-lasting cytocompatibility, the developed platform can also be envisaged for other applications of biological interest, such as intracellular sensing and staining for live cell microscopy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:32:04Z |
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| id | doaj.art-4309a986f97f4478ab9bcd8deb2c652e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:32:04Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-4309a986f97f4478ab9bcd8deb2c652e2023-11-22T08:58:42ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-07-01118198110.3390/nano11081981Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in BeveragesRoberto Sotolongo-García0Eustolia Rodríguez-Velázquez1Manuel Alatorre-Meda2Mercedes T. Oropeza-Guzmán3Antonio Tirado-Guízar4Georgina Pina-Luis5Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Tijuana 22500, BC, MexicoFacultad de Odontología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad 14418, Parque Industrial Internacional, Tijuana 22390, BC, MexicoCátedras CONACyT-Tecnológico Nacional de México/I. T. Tijuana, Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química-Grupo de Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Tijuana 22510, BC, MexicoTecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Tijuana 22500, BC, MexicoTecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Tijuana 22500, BC, MexicoTecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, Centro de Graduados e Investigación en Química, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Tijuana 22500, BC, MexicoIn this work, the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between carbon dots (CDs) as energy donors and riboflavin (RF) as an energy acceptor was optimized and the main parameters that characterize the FRET process were determined. The results were successfully applied in the development of an ultrasensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the selective and sensitive determination of RF in different beverages. Water-soluble CDs with a high quantum yield (54%) were synthesized by a facile and direct microwave-assisted technique. The CDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, and UV-visible and molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. The study of the FRET process at two donor concentrations showed that the energy transfer efficiency decreases as the donor concentration increases, confirming its dependence on the acceptor:donor ratio in nanoparticle-based systems. The results show the importance of optimizing the FRET process conditions to improve the corresponding output signal. The variation in the ratiometric signal with the concentration of RF showed linearity in a concentration range of 0 to 11 µM with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9973 and a detection limit of 0.025 µM. The developed nanosensor showed good selectivity over other possible types of interference. The sensor was then applied for the determination of RF in beverage samples using the standard addition method with recoveries between 96% and 106%. Preliminary cytocompatibility tests carried out with breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) revealed the nanosensor to be cytocompatible in its working concentration regime, even after long incubation times with cells. Altogether, the developed RF determination method was found to be fast, low-cost, highly sensitive, and selective and can be extended to other samples of interest in the biological and food sectors. Moreover, thanks to its long-lasting cytocompatibility, the developed platform can also be envisaged for other applications of biological interest, such as intracellular sensing and staining for live cell microscopy.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/1981carbon dotsFRET efficiencyratiometric fluorescent sensordonor concentrationRF in beveragescytocompatible conjugate CDs-RF |
| spellingShingle | Roberto Sotolongo-García Eustolia Rodríguez-Velázquez Manuel Alatorre-Meda Mercedes T. Oropeza-Guzmán Antonio Tirado-Guízar Georgina Pina-Luis Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages Nanomaterials carbon dots FRET efficiency ratiometric fluorescent sensor donor concentration RF in beverages cytocompatible conjugate CDs-RF |
| title | Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages |
| title_full | Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages |
| title_short | Optimizing the Efficiency of a Cytocompatible Carbon-Dots-Based FRET Platform and Its Application as a Riboflavin Sensor in Beverages |
| title_sort | optimizing the efficiency of a cytocompatible carbon dots based fret platform and its application as a riboflavin sensor in beverages |
| topic | carbon dots FRET efficiency ratiometric fluorescent sensor donor concentration RF in beverages cytocompatible conjugate CDs-RF |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/1981 |
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