Novel Carbon Dots Based on Pseudomonas aeruginosa for High Selectivity Detection of Cr6+ and Bioimaging Both in vitro and in vivo

Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), a heavy metal ion, is widely used in a variety of industries, but it is an environmental pollutant and a recognized human carcinogen. Highly selective quantitative detection of Cr6+ is important for environmental pollution monitoring and early disease prevention in humans. In this study, nitrogen-containing carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were found to be efficient detectors of Cr6+, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.23 nmol L-1(nM). N-CQDs were detectable in plant leaves and onion cells and successfully stained cell membranes and nuclei. Multi-colored images revealed that in Caenorhabditis elegans, N-CQDs entered the digestive tract through ingestion, spared rapidly throughout the body, and were excreted though the anus within 40 min. Synthesis of fluorescent N-CQDs can be exploited to increase the use and a range of applications of bacterial resources. The study methods and results also provide theoretical guidance for future research into the development of bacterial resources.

Automated summary

N-CQDs synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization are efficient detectors of Cr6+, capable of detecting it in plants and cells and staining cell structures. The study provides theoretical guidance for the development of bacterial resources.