DOI: 10.1002/slct.74931 ISSN: 2365-6549
N, S‐Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Derived From Amino Acids‐Based Precursors: Structural Characterization, Cytocompatibility in HeLa Cells, and Antibacterial Activity
Amanpreet Singh, Ankush Kumar Tangra, Damanpreet Singh, Gurjaspreet Singh, Meenakshi VermaABSTRACT
In this study, nitrogen and sulfur co‐doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared using pyrolysis method employing
l
‐glutamic acid,
l
‐cysteine, and ethylene diamine as building units. The prepared CQDs showed blue fluorescence, aqueous stability, and average particle size of around 2.4 nm. The incorporation of heteroatoms was confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. HeLa cells were employed to study cytocompatibility of prepared CQDs and the results revealed high cell viability across the tested concentration range. Further, the antibacterial activity was evaluated against
E. coli
and
S. aureus
, showing concentration dependent inhibitory effect. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for
S. aureus
and
E. coli
were 100 µg/mL and 120 µg/mL, respectively. The observed antibacterial activity may be associated with the combined influence of N/S‐containing surface functionalities and positive surface charge; however, the specific contributions of N and S and the underlying antibacterial mechanisms require further investigation. These results highlight the potential of amino acids derived CQDs as biocompatible and effective antimicrobial nanomaterials.