Synthesis and characterisation of human serum albumin passivated CdTe nanocrystallites as fluorescent probe

The II–VI nanocrystallites (NCs) are well known as a great fluorescent probe, but one of the main problem is a toxic effect. Covering a semiconductor NCs by some materials or chemicals can reduce it, but change optical properties and functional characteristics of NCs. The potential ability of the CdTe NCs passivated by human serum albumin (HSA) to cancer cells bioimaging is examined. Performed research explored the interaction between the CdTe NCs and HSA, and fluorescence imaging efficiency of the NC–HSA bionanocomplex in comparison with the uncovered NCs. The secondary structure of the HSA is similar to the native form, which suggests a biocompatibility of the prepared bionanocomplex. The CdTe NCs located in osteosarcoma cancer cells show a high luminescence intensity. The light emission of the CdTe NCs connected with albumin is less than the pure NCs, but it is still satisfactory, and additionally have high resistance to photo-bleaching. It suggests that the CdTe NC–HSA bionanocomplex can be used as a fluorescent probe for cell labelling, tracking and other bioimaging applications.