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  4. Vol 6, Issue 1, 2026

In vitro antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of chiral lysine carbon dots

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DOI: 10.23977/phpm.2026.060113 | Downloads: 0 | Views: 52

Author(s)

Wenli Fu 1, Zhenghong Chen 1, Yingli Li 1

Affiliation(s)

1 College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China

Corresponding Author

Yingli Li

ABSTRACT

L-/D-lysine carbon dots (L-/D-Lys CDs) were synthesized and subsequently evaluated for their biocompatibility and in vitro antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Chiral lysine carbon dots (L-Lys CDs and D-Lys CDs) were synthesized via a surface chiral modification strategy. Their chiral and spectral properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the two chiral carbon dots was assessed against four standard strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), two clinical isolates (Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae), and two drug-resistant strains (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Their in vitro biocompatibility was also preliminarily investigated. The chiral lysine carbon dots preserved intact chirality, exhibited a relatively uniform particle size distribution (mostly 3-6 nm), and possessed good fluorescence properties. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of L-Lys CDs against eight tested strains (four standard strains and four clinical isolates) ranged from 0.48 to 2.42 mg/mL, whereas those of D-Lys CDs ranged from 3.32 to 8.28 mg/mL. L-Lys CDs showed 2.8- to 15-fold lower MIC values compared with D-Lys CDs, demonstrating a marked stereoselective antibacterial advantage. Notably, the MIC of L-Lys CDs against carbapenem‑resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was as low as 0.48 mg/mL, and that against methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 0.96 mg/mL. Both MTT cytotoxicity assay and hemolysis test indicated that the chiral lysine carbon dots possessed good in vitro biosafety. L-Lys CDs exhibit favorable in vitro antibacterial activity against a variety of bacteria, and their in vitro biocompatibility meets the blood safety requirements of international standards for clinical drugs.

KEYWORDS

Chiral lysine carbon dots; Stereoselective antibacterial activity; Drug-resistant bacteria; Biocompatibility

CITE THIS PAPER

Wenli Fu, Zhenghong Chen, Yingli Li. In vitro antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of chiral lysine carbon dots. MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine (2026). Vol. 6, No.1, 103-109. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/phpm.2026.060113.

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