Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse (SB) in minutes using a novel microwave method. Additionally, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N–CDs) were synthesized from SB using the same microwave technique. These materials were crosslinked with CaCl<sub>2</sub> to prepar...

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Main Author: Hebat-Allah S. Tohamy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/11/686
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author Hebat-Allah S. Tohamy
author_facet Hebat-Allah S. Tohamy
author_sort Hebat-Allah S. Tohamy
collection DOAJ
description Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse (SB) in minutes using a novel microwave method. Additionally, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N–CDs) were synthesized from SB using the same microwave technique. These materials were crosslinked with CaCl<sub>2</sub> to prepare antibacterial/antifungal hydrogel sensors. In this regard, both CMC@Ca and CMC@Ca-N–CDs exhibited antibacterial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram negative), while only CMC@Ca-N–CDs demonstrated antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram positive). Moreover, both materials showed antifungal activity against <i>Candida albicans</i>. The molecular docking study demonstrated that CMC@Ca-N–CDs showed good binding with proteins with short bond length 2.59, 2.80, and 1.97 A° for <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i>, respectively. These binding affinities were corroborated by the observed inhibition zone diameters. Furthermore, fluorescence microscope revealed distinct imaging patterns between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as pathogenic yeast (fungi). CMC@Ca-N–CDs emitted blue light when exposed to <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i> (i.e., CMC@Ca-N–CDs/<i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i>), whereas it emitted bright-red light when exposed to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (i.e., CMC@Ca-N–CDs/<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>). This disparity in the fluorescence-emitted colors is due to the difference in the cell wall of these microorganisms. Additionally, DFT calculations were conducted to substantiate the robust chemical interactions between CMC, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and N–CDs.
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spelling doaj-art-b2686dfbad8e4e4f96b74686cf97740b2025-08-20T01:53:53ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612024-10-01101168610.3390/gels10110686Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental ValidationHebat-Allah S. Tohamy0Cellulose & Paper Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza P.O. Box 12622, EgyptCarboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse (SB) in minutes using a novel microwave method. Additionally, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N–CDs) were synthesized from SB using the same microwave technique. These materials were crosslinked with CaCl<sub>2</sub> to prepare antibacterial/antifungal hydrogel sensors. In this regard, both CMC@Ca and CMC@Ca-N–CDs exhibited antibacterial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram negative), while only CMC@Ca-N–CDs demonstrated antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram positive). Moreover, both materials showed antifungal activity against <i>Candida albicans</i>. The molecular docking study demonstrated that CMC@Ca-N–CDs showed good binding with proteins with short bond length 2.59, 2.80, and 1.97 A° for <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i>, respectively. These binding affinities were corroborated by the observed inhibition zone diameters. Furthermore, fluorescence microscope revealed distinct imaging patterns between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as pathogenic yeast (fungi). CMC@Ca-N–CDs emitted blue light when exposed to <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i> (i.e., CMC@Ca-N–CDs/<i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Candida albicans</i>), whereas it emitted bright-red light when exposed to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (i.e., CMC@Ca-N–CDs/<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>). This disparity in the fluorescence-emitted colors is due to the difference in the cell wall of these microorganisms. Additionally, DFT calculations were conducted to substantiate the robust chemical interactions between CMC, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and N–CDs.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/11/686microwave carboxymethyl cellulosebiosensor fluorescencebacterial detectionfungal detectionantibacterial/antifungal activitynitrogen doped carbon dots
spellingShingle Hebat-Allah S. Tohamy
Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
Gels
microwave carboxymethyl cellulose
biosensor fluorescence
bacterial detection
fungal detection
antibacterial/antifungal activity
nitrogen doped carbon dots
title Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
title_full Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
title_fullStr Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
title_full_unstemmed Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
title_short Novel, Speedy, and Eco-Friendly Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots Biosensors with DFT Calculations, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation
title_sort novel speedy and eco friendly carboxymethyl cellulose nitrogen doped carbon dots biosensors with dft calculations molecular docking and experimental validation
topic microwave carboxymethyl cellulose
biosensor fluorescence
bacterial detection
fungal detection
antibacterial/antifungal activity
nitrogen doped carbon dots
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/11/686
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