A novel one-step and green synthesis of highly fluorescent carbon dots from saffron for cell imaging and sensing of prilocaine

For the first time, a novel and green strategy have been successfully established to synthesize carbon dots from saffron. In this synthesis, a simple method based on hydrothermal treatment was used to synthesis carbon dots with a quantum yield of 23.6%. The as-synthesized carbon dots exhibited many advantages including high fluorescence intensity, water solubility, stability, non-toxic, eco-friendly and importantly using in sensing drugs and cell imaging. Also, the carbon dots were used to assay prilocaine based on quenching assay, without any labeling or using chemical reagents. The influence of several experimental parameters affecting the optical signal, were studied. Under the optimal conditions, prilocaine was measured in a linear range of 2.3–400 nmol L−1 (0.5–90 ng mL−1). The sensor enables to detect prilocaine as low as 1.8 nmol L−1. Finally, the carbon dots were applied for cell imaging of bone marrow cells and Olfactory mucosa cells from rats to illustrate their potential in various applications, with satisfactory results.