Graphene Quantum Dots from Carbonized Coffee Bean Wastes for Biomedical Applications
Dong Jin Kim,
Je Min Yoo,
Yeonjoon Suh,
Donghoon Kim,
Insung Kang,
Joonhee Moon,
Mina Park,
Juhee Kim,
Kyung-Sun Kang,
Byung Hee Hong
Affiliations
Dong Jin Kim
Program in Nano Science and Technology, Graduate school of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Je Min Yoo
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Yeonjoon Suh
Graphene Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Korea
Donghoon Kim
BIOGRAPHENE, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA
Insung Kang
Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Joonhee Moon
Division of Analytical Science Research, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) Daejeon 34133, Korea
Mina Park
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Juhee Kim
Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Kyung-Sun Kang
Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Byung Hee Hong
Graphene Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Korea
Recent studies concerning graphene quantum dots (GQDs) focus extensively on their application in biomedicine, exploiting their modifiable optical properties and ability to complex with various molecules via π–π or covalent interactions. Among these nascent findings, the potential therapeutic efficacy of GQDs was reported against Parkinson’s disease, which has to date remained incurable. Herein, we present an environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing GQDs through a waste-to-treasure method, specifically from coffee waste to nanodrug. Consistent with the previous findings with carbon fiber-derived GQDs, the inhibitory effects of coffee bean-derived GQDs demonstrated similar effectiveness against abnormal α-synuclein fibrillation and the protection of neurons from relevant subcellular damages. The fact that a GQDs-based nanodrug can be prepared from a non-reusable yet edible source illustrates a potential approach to convert such waste materials into novel therapeutic agents with minimal psychological rejection by patients.
