Synthesis of CDs from β‐Cyclodextrin for Smart Utilization in Visual Detection of Cholesterol and Cellular Imaging

Abstract In this work, we have synthesized fluorescent carbon dots from β‐cyclodextrin in a single step via the hydrothermal method and abbreviated as (β‐CDs). These synthesized β‐CDs were utilized for the cholesterol detection using fluorometric method. The detection of cholesterol attributable to alcoholic groups of β‐CDs was combined with the phenolic group of the cholesterol due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and the authentic cavity size of the β‐CDs. The sensing mechanism was characterized by fluorescence lifetime decay, zeta potential, and UV‐visible spectroscopy. These β‐CDs are highly sensitive towards cholesterol with detection of limit is 0.204 μM and relatively wide linear range of 0.5‐40 μM. This assay shows a high sensitivity towards cholesterol even in the presence of interfering biomolecules. These β‐CDs are also used for the detection of cholesterol in the real sample (human blood serum). The small particle size, low cytotoxicity, and excellent fluorescence properties of the synthesized β‐CDs are also used for cellular imaging.