Fluorescent Flavin/PVP-Coated Silver Nanoparticles: Design and Biological Performance

A red-emitting fluorescent Riboflavin (RF)/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silver nanoparticles system, λ_em = 527 nm, Φ = 0.242, with a diameter of the metallic core of 27.33 nm and a zeta potential of - 25.05 mV was prepared and investigated regarding its biological activity. We found that PVP has a key role in RF adsorption around the SNPs surface leading to an enhancement of antioxidant properties (∼70%), low cytotoxicity (> 90% cell viability, at 50 µL/mL, after 48 h of incubation) as well as to an efficient process of its cellular uptake (∼ 60%, after 24 h of incubation) in L929 cells. The results are relevant concerning the involvement of RF and its coenzymes forms in SNPs - based systems, in cellular respiration as well as for future studies as antioxidant marker system on tumoral cells for viewing and monitoring them, by cellular imaging.