Photodynamic antibacterial activity of oxidase-like nanozyme based on long-lived room-temperature phosphorescent carbon dots.

A long-lived room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) carbon quantum dots (P-CDs) with ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) light photoresponsive oxidase-like nanozyme were synthesized to achieve higher photosensitive oxygen activation. Then the P-CDs were made into P-CDs/PVA films, which effectively prolonged the preservation period of fruits under photodynamic antibacterial action. [Display omitted] • One-step hydrothermal synthesis of long-lived room-temperature phosphorescent P-CDs. • The ultraviolet/visible light photoresponsive oxidase-like nanozyme activity. • P-CDs generate singlet oxygen through energy transfer under illumination. • The excellent photodynamic antibacterial property of P-CDs. • P-CDs/PVA films remarkably extend the shelf life of fruits under photosensitization. In this study, a novel long-lived room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon dots (P-CDs) with the properties of ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) light photoresponsive oxidase-like nanozyme were synthesized from diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and through a one-step hydrothermal method. P-CDs were used as a light-driven oxidative-like enzyme for antimicrobial studies. The results showed that under UV/Vis light irradiation, P-CDs could efficiently convert O 2 into 1O 2 , and the strong oxidizing property of 1O 2 greatly enhanced the growth inhibition of P-CDs on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli). Meanwhile, P-CDs exhibited good photodynamic antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea). Then the P-CDs were made into P-CDs/PVA films, which effectively prolonged the preservation period of fruits under photodynamic antibacterial action. The good biocompatibility and efficient photosensitive oxygen activation can make P-CDs a more practically useful oxidase-like nanozyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]