Synthesis of CDs from β-Cyclodextrin for Smart Utilization in Visual Detection of Cholesterol and Cellular Imaging

In this work, we have synthesized fluorescent carbon dots from beta-cyclodextrin in a single step via the hydrothermal method and abbreviated as (beta-CDs). These synthesized beta-CDs were utilized for the cholesterol detection using fluorometric method. The detection of cholesterol attributable to alcoholic groups of beta-CDs was combined with the phenolic group of the cholesterol due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and the authentic cavity size of the beta-CDs. The sensing mechanism was characterized by fluorescence lifetime decay, zeta potential, and UV-visible spectroscopy. These beta-CDs are highly sensitive towards cholesterol with detection of limit is 0.204 mu M and relatively wide linear range of 0.5-40 mu M. This assay shows a high sensitivity towards cholesterol even in the presence of interfering biomolecules. These beta-CDs are also used for the detection of cholesterol in the real sample (human blood serum). The small particle size, low cytotoxicity, and excellent fluorescence properties of the synthesized beta-CDs are also used for cellular imaging.