Elucidation of Interaction Between Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Cell Culture Medium by Spectroscopy Supports Biocompatibility of These Nanotubes

The biocompatibility of any material is compulsory before it can be used further for biological applications. All possible bio-applications of carbon nanotubes will require their compatibility with biological milieu. The present study has been conducted to elucidate the interaction of purified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with cell culture media and its components by UV/Vis absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. The Minimal essential media a commonly used cell culture media was used along with/without fetal bovine serum in this study, containing many components like phenol red (pH indicator), proteins, vitamins, hormones etc. Slight visible colour change was observed on addition of MWNT to the media. The absorbance spectroscopy shows change in the spectrum of media on addition of nanotubes indicating the interaction between MWNTs and cell culture media. Florescence studies were conducted to further elucidate the interaction of individual components of cell culture media with nanotubes. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed reduction in emission features associated with the components of the media upon addition of MWNTs. Interaction established between MWNTs and cell culture media have been correlated with biocompatibility of these nanotubes and the possibility of MWNTs as a scaffold in tissue engineering has been discussed.