Folic acid-conjugated green luminescent carbon dots as a nanoprobe for identifying folate receptor-positive cancer cells

Early diagnosis is pivotal in subsequent prognosis and treatment of cancer. Herein, folic acid-conjugated carbon dots (FA-CDs) as a fluorescent nanoprobe were fabricated for identifying cancer cells visually. Green luminescent carbon dots (CDs) from active dry yeast (ADY) were readily prepared in scale-up to reach macroscopic production with a high yield of ~50% via a facile and rapid microwave approach. The as-prepared CDs were further combined with folic acid (FA) by covalent bonding to fabricate the FA-CDs for identification of cancer cells over-expressing folate receptor (FR). Experimental outcomes demonstrated that the resultant FA-CDs noninvasively entered into cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis and could differentiate FR-positive HepG2 cells from a cell mixture by fluorescence imaging, which suggests a promising prospect of the FA-CDs as an efficient probe for cancer diagnosis and succeeding personalized therapy.