Hemoglobin-Capped carbon dots synthesized via microwave green approach as a biosensor for specific cholesterol detection

Abstract

This study explores the potential of hemoglobin-capped green-synthesized carbon dots (g-CD) as a biosensor for the specific detection of cholesterol. The CDs, synthesized using an environmentally friendly and convenient microwave green approach, derived from Wood Extract of Wild Cherry Shrub and utilizing hemoglobin as a capping agent, offer promising characteristics for cholesterol detection. This green synthesis method avoids the use of toxic precursors, making the process safer and more sustainable. Additionally, microwave (MW) heating, being volumetric in nature, reduces the synthesis time and energy consumption, resulting in a uniform and unique microstructure, offering a substantial advantage over traditional methods. Through fluorescence spectroscopy, the interaction between the g-CD/Hb complex and cholesterol was investigated. The results demonstrate that the fluorescence intensity of the g-CD/Hb complex increases with the concentration of cholesterol, suggesting a potential application for cholesterol detection. Notably, the calculated limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 9.22 μM, significantly lower than previously reported sensors, indicating higher sensitivity. Moreover, the biosensor exhibits high selectivity towards cholesterol over other biomolecules commonly found in human serum. Additionally, the biosensor shows excellent performance with real human blood samples, indicating its practical utility in clinical settings. Overall, the g-CD/Hb biosensor presents a promising approach for the specific detection of cholesterol, offering potential applications in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. The key innovations include the use of a green and rapid synthesis method, improved detection limit, and validation of performance in real samples, distinguishing this sensor from previous research.