Deep UV fluorescence imaging study of Candida albicans cells treated with gold-riboflavin hydrocolloids

Abstract

Fluorescent nanostructures were prepared by functionalization of gold nanoparticles with riboflavin molecules and used as probes for synchrotron radiation deep ultraviolet (SR-DUV) fluorescence imaging of gluteraldehyde-fixed Candida albicans cells. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical spectroscopy techniques. The TEM analysis showed that the nanostructures were 6 nm in diameter, while the results of the fluorescence spectroscopies confirmed the photoluminescence of the nanoparticles. The SR-DUV imaging showed that it was possible to distinguish the fluorescence of the nanoparticles from the autofluorescence of the cells, as well as that the local maxima of the signal pertaining to the fluorescence of gold-riboflavin nanostructures were mostly positioned on the surfaces of the C. albicans cells of spherical morphology.