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Nanoparticle visualization has extensive potential for their utilization in targeted drug delivery tracking through wide range of biological environments. In this regard, quantum dot nanoparticles may represent a suitable option as they are characterized by very good fluorescent properties. This study is focused on application of quantum dot nanoparticles for fluorescence imaging of plants. A series of in vivo experiments was carried out on leaves of sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). Leaves were immersed in water solution of CdTe and CdTe/ZnS quantum dots and were monitored (ʎem 535 nm and 600 nm respectively) for 8 hours at time intervals of 60 minutes using In Vivo Xtreme Imaging System (Bruker, Massachusets, USA). Captured images were further processed and the intensity of fluorescence analyzed by Bruker Molecular Imaging Software. Fluorescence imaging of plants encounters difficulties due to autofluorescence of biomolecules present in plants, including chlorophyll, carotene and xanthophyll. However, this can be suppressed by using adequate excitation and emission filters for fluorescence images acquisition. Moreover, visualization of nanoparticles in plants can be enhanced by multispectral imaging and spectral modeling for autofluorescence unmixing. In this study, evaluation regarding optimal characteristics and modifications of quantum dot nanoparticles for fluorescence imaging in plants is provided as well as recommendations on image acquisition setting and further image postprocessing.
Keywords: Quantum dot nanoparticles, in vivo imaging, fluorescence imaging, Helianthus annuus plant, nanoparticle transport visualization© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.