Synthesis, 99mTc-radiolabeling, and biodistribution of new cellulose nanocrystals from Dorema kopetdaghens.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known as nano-biomaterials that can be achieved from the different sources. The designated CNCs have been successfully fabricated from the roots of Dorema kopetdaghens (Dk) plant by sulphuric acid hydrolysis method. Structural analysis has been carried out by the means of XRD, FTIR, and TGA/DTG procedures. The XRD results have indicated that the crystalline structure of CNCs had been cellulose I with the crystallinity index of 83.20% and size of 4.95 nm. The FTIR spectra have shown that the resulting samples have been related to the cellulose species. The thermal properties of CNCs have exhibited a lower thermal stability in comparison to the untreated roots. It has been indicated by the morphological analyses of FESEM, TEM, and AFM that the nanoparticles had contained a spherical shape. Also, the cytotoxicity of CNCs against A549 cell line has not exhibited any cytotoxic effects. The analysis of labeling efficiency in regards to 99mTc-CNCs has been observed to be above 98%, while the biodistribution of radioactivity has displayed a high uptake by the kidneys and blood circulation. Therefore, it is possible to transform the low-cost by-product into a beneficial substance such as CNCs that can be utilized in bioimaging applications.