Poly(Vinylamine) Derived N-Doped C-Dots with Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities

Semiha Duygu Sutekin,Nurettin Sahiner,Selin Sagbas Suner,Olgun Güven,Mehtap Sahiner,Sahin Demirci

doi:10.3390/c7020040

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-doped C-dots) was synthesized by using poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) as a nitrogen source and citric acid (CA) as a carbon source via the hydrothermal method. Various weight ratios of CA and PVAm (CA:PVAm) were used to synthesize N-doped C-dots. The N-doped C-dots revealed emission at 440 nm with excitation at 360 nm and were found to increase the fluorescence intensity with an increase in the amount of PVAm. The blood compatibility studies revealed no significant hemolysis for N-doped C-dots that were prepared at different ratios of CA:PVAm for up to 500 μg/mL concentration with the hemolysis ratio of 1.96% and the minimum blood clotting index of 88.9%. N-doped C-dots were found to be more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria, with the highest potency on Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). The increase in the weight ratio of PVAm in feed during C-dots preparation from 1 to 3 leads to a decrease of the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value from 6.25 to 0.75 mg/mL for B. subtilis. Antibiofilm ability of N-doped C-dots prepared by 1:3 ratio of CA:PVAm was found to reduce %biofilm inhibition and eradication- by more than half, at 0.78 mg/mL for E. coli and B. subtilis generated biofilms and almost destroyed at 25 mg/mL concentrations.

Highlights

Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional nanomaterials with intriguing optical and biological properties [1]
The synthesis of poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) was accomplished via basic hydrolysis of poly(N-Vinyl formamide) (PNVF)
It was clearly observed that the C=O peaks at 1638 cm−1 from amide groups almost disappeared, and N–H stretching peaks from NH2 groups were observed after 4 h hydrolysis in basic conditions

Summary

Introduction

Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional nanomaterials with intriguing optical and biological properties [1]. The properties of C-dots, e.g., their fluorescence, colorimetric and electrochemical features are much more different from their source materials [1]. Due to the optical properties of C-dots, they can be used as optic devices, sensors, and as diagnostic and multifunctional materials in many different fields. Using a 3D printer, fluorescent C-dots containing structures can be used to detect chlorine in water samples [4]. Florescent C-dots from fructose and aniline were synthesized to detect glucose [5]. C-dots from L-arginine as a fluorescent probe were used to detect the neurotransmitter, dopamine from human urine [6]. C-dots with antiplatelet properties, prepared from garlic, have potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of arterial thromboembolic disease [7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion