Nanocellulose-Based Passivated-Carbon Quantum Dots (P-CQDs) for Antimicrobial Applications: A Practical Review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Passivated-carbon quantum dots (P-CQDs) are emerging as versatile antimicrobial agents due to their fluorescence, low toxicity, and photocatalytic properties.
• Nanocellulose, including microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), serves as a sustainable precursor for synthesizing carbon quantum dots (CQDs).
• Norovirus (NoV) is a significant global cause of acute gastroenteritis, necessitating effective antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the synthesis and antiviral applications of P-CQDs derived from nanocellulose, with a focus on Norovirus inhibition.
• To investigate the role of surface charge status (SCS) in the interaction between P-CQDs and Norovirus particles.
• To compare the efficacy of different P-CQDs, specifically EDA-CQDs and EPA-CQDs, in inhibiting Norovirus binding.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on the synthesis of CQDs from MCC and NCC via top-down and bottom-up approaches.
• Analysis of P-CQD properties, including functionalized carbon quantum dots (F-CQDs) and passivated carbon quantum dots (P-CQDs).
• Detailed examination of the interaction mechanisms between P-CQDs (EDA-CQDs, EPA-CQDs) and Norovirus, considering surface charge and other binding forces.

Main Results:

• EDA-CQDs, possessing positively charged amino groups at physiological pH, demonstrated superior efficacy in inhibiting NoV binding compared to EPA-CQDs.
• The enhanced antiviral activity of EDA-CQDs is attributed to electrostatic attraction between their positive surface charge and the negative charge of NoV particles.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibited comparable non-specific binding to NoV capsid proteins through charge, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interactions, similar to P-CQDs.

Conclusions:

• P-CQDs synthesized from nanocellulose, particularly EDA-CQDs, represent a promising avenue for developing novel antiviral therapies against Norovirus.
• The surface charge status of P-CQDs is a critical factor influencing their interaction with and inhibition of Norovirus.
• Further research into nanocellulose-derived P-CQDs could lead to advanced antiviral agents with tunable properties for pathogen control.