Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Laccase of Trametes Hirsuta -Derived Carbon Dots for Ciprofloxacin Detection
摘要
In this study, laccase enzyme derived from Trametes hirsuta was utilised as a nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich biogenic precursor for the rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon quantum dots (Lac-CQDs). The Lac-CQDs were comprehensively characterised using FTIR spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and SEM analyses, confirming their quasi-spherical morphology, graphitic domains, and abundant surface functional groups. Lac-CQDs exhibited bright blue-green fluorescence with excitation-dependent emission and a quantum yield of 8.32%. Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a widely detected contaminant in food products and aquatic environments, was selected as the model analyte for sensing. Spectral analysis indicated that quenching was mainly due to the inner filter effect (IFE), supported by the overlap of CIP absorption (250–350 nm) with the excitation of Lac-CQDs (400 nm). Optimisation identified pH 7 and 18 mg/mL Lac-CQDs as the most effective conditions, yielding a detection limit of 1.73 mg/mL. The greenness of the procedure was confirmed using the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), which showed minimal environmental impact with no red fields. Biological assays demonstrated that Lac-CQDs were non-toxic, exhibited negligible antibacterial activity, and promoted MCF-7 cell viability at low concentrations, confirming their biocompatibility. This work highlights the sustainable valorisation of enzymatic biomass into functional CQDs and their potential as environmentally friendly probes for antibiotic monitoring.