Preparation of carbon dot-based ratiometric fluorescent probes for cellular imaging from Curcuma longa

This work derived biocompatible and stable probes based on fluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs) from a natural source, Curcuma longa. The multi-color fluorescence emissions from carbonized Curcuma longa (C-FNPs) obtained through defined dehydration conditions are soluble in water and have a small particle size (~17 nm). The surface passivation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) capped with amine groups in FNPs (P-FNPs) generated a probe with a higher quantum yield and longer fluorescence lifetime than obtained with C-FNPs. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the associated chemical moieties of C-FNPs and P-FNPs. Furthermore, the prepared material showed non-toxic effects with almost 100% cell viability, even at high concentrations. In conclusion, fluorescence sensors from natural sources may be useful for numerous biomedical research applications.