Glycerol photoelectrochemical oxidation reaction at carbon nitrides/BiVO₄ materials

• Charles Garcia da Cunha,
• Isabelle M. D. Gonzaga,
• Cristian Hessel,
• Izadora F. Reis,
• Ivo F. Teixeira,
• Lucia H. Mascaro and
• Elton Sitta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 806–817, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.57

• hydrogen electrode (RHE) upon glycerol addition. Clearly, the type of nitride employed in the heterojunctions influences the activity of the material for glycerol oxidation, with the photocurrent at 1.23 V vs RHE following the order: PCN/BiVO4 > BiVO4 ≈ PHI-Cs/BiVO4 > PHI-K/BiVO4 ≈ PHI-Na/BiVO4 > PTI(Li

• )/BiVO4. The SEM-EDS analysis after electrochemical tests revealed that the presence of crystalline CNs induces the segregation of vanadium oxides, contributing to a decrease in activity. On the other hand, the superior performance of PCN/BiVO4 is attributed to a greater thermal stability of PCN during

• lattice. Meanwhile, PTI consists of triazine units, forming a rigid and highly stable framework. This structural arrangement significantly improves charge mobility and light absorption, both of which are critical for catalytic activity [15]. Additionally, PHI and PTI possess an intrinsic ionic nature

Restorative potential of laser-synthesized silver nanoparticles with Salvia officinalis for periodontal disease treatment: an in vitro study

• Jelena Filipović Tričković,
• Sanja Živković,
• Bojana Ilić,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Jelena Marinković,
• Ana Valenta Šobot and
• Miloš Momčilović

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 781–795, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.55

• well-dispersed, spherical nanoparticles (7.98 ± 2.9 nm) at a concentration of 21.6 ± 1.75 mg·L−1. SageAgNPs6mJ exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (MIC = 5.4 mg·L−1), and showed equal or superior

• antibacterial activity compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine. Importantly, at MIC concentration, SageAgNPs6mJ were non-cytotoxic to primary human gingival fibroblasts and enhanced their proliferation by approximately 50% after 24 h. This was shown by increased Ki-67 proliferation index, increased type-I and total

• . In contrast, Mostafavi and colleagues [10], investigated the wound-healing potential of combined AgNP and sage extract treatment in an in vivo mouse skin model, indicating possible synergistic effects between silver and sage. Nevertheless, the antibacterial activity was not evaluated, and sage was

Oxidative atmosphere-driven formation of single-phase spinel CuRh₂O₄ nanofibers for alkaline water oxidation

• Namhee Kim,
• Sumin Ko,
• Sohyeon Choi,
• Seoyoon Jang,
• Myung Hwa Kim and
• Dasol Jin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 737–743, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.50

• atmosphere-controlled thermal treatment for engineering high-activity spinel oxide electrocatalysts. Keywords: annealing; electrocatalyst; electrospinning; oxygen evolution reaction; spinel oxide; Introduction The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a kinetically demanding, multistep process that governs

• oxides exhibit excellent OER electrocatalytic activity in 1 M NaOH (aq), highlighting the importance of oxygen-atmosphere engineering for the rational design of Cu-based spinel oxide catalysts. Results and Discussion A series of Cu–Rh bimetallic oxide nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning and a

• affects the topology and growth behavior of the oxide nanocrystals [20]. This observation indicates that the oxidative environment influences not only phase formation but also fiber integrity and surface texture. The OER electrocatalytic activity of the prepared nanofibers was evaluated in N2-saturated

Environmental applications of silver nanoparticles: state-of-the-art review and emerging trends

• Soni Prajapati,
• Akash Kumar and
• Ranjana Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 697–736, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.49

• ]. In addition, CTAB- and ʟ-carnosine-capped AgNPs exhibit catalytic activity in the removal of p-nitrophenol [8][9]. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA; Permissible Exposure Limits, 29 CFR 1910.1000), arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, beryllium, and mercury are the

• , colourimetry, and fluorometry [18][19][20][21]. In addition, the enhanced antimicrobial activity of AgNPs can be used for water decontamination and is widely employed in membrane filtration technology [22]. AgNPs exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, encompassing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative

• bacteria, as well as multidrug-resistant strains [23]. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of AgNPs was utilised to remove synthetic dyes, nitrophenol, and other organic pollutants. Methylene blue (MB), Congo red (CR), 4-nitrophenol, and 4-nitroaniline were degraded into harmless products using AgNPs

Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

• Devid Maniglio,
• Alice Marinangeli and
• Alessandra Maria Bossi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 683–687, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.47

• -defined three-dimensional structures, with prominent examples including monoclonal antibodies that exert their therapeutic activity through specific binding to the target molecule [9]. Only recently, research has begun to explore proteins as components for the fabrication of nanostructures, such as

Decontamination from water pollutants and pathogens by electrospun nanofibers doped with heavy-atom-free borafluorene-BODIPY photosensitizers

• Angelika Zaszczyńska,
• Paulina H. Marek-Urban,
• Karolina Wrochna,
• Agnieszka E. Kuklewska,
• Kacper Kręgielewski,
• Marta Grodzik,
• Dawid R. Natkowski,
• Jolanta Mierzejewska,
• Ewa Iwanek,
• Agata Blacha-Grzechnik,
• Paweł Sajkiewicz and
• Krzysztof Durka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 668–682, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.46

• step, we tested the photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples with cimetidine as a model water pollutant. Small pieces of materials were placed in 4 mL vials containing a 3.0 mM water solution of cimetidine. The mass of the material was ca. 0.011 g, which roughly corresponds to 0.02 equivalents

• (0.15 wt %)@PCL. The other two mats exhibited significantly lower activity, with the conversion of cimetidine reaching 20% for 1(0.15 wt %)@PMMA and only 10% for 1(0.15 wt %)@PS after 1 h. This can be attributed to their high hydrophobicity, as the poor wettability of these materials limits interphase

• ). The higher activity of the former mat indicates triplet-state aggregation quenching at the higher dopant concentration. The observed activity of the 1@PCL mats was compared to electrospun PCL materials containing 2,6-dibrominated BF2-BODIPY at 0.05 wt % concentration studied by Cakmak and coworkers

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• modifications not only increase the drug loading capacity and extend the release time of therapeutic agents but also contribute to improved antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength, making cellulose a versatile platform for advanced delivery systems [69]. Depending on the processing

• commonly applied in both photocatalysis and energy storage due to its affordability, non-toxicity, strong activity, and environmentally friendly nature [97]. Despite these advantages, TiO2 faces notable limitations as its relatively wide bandgap of about 3.2 eV and rapid electron–hole recombination rate

• TiO2/CdS heterojunctions with a porous structure, high crystallinity, and a reduced bandgap, features that contributed to enhanced catalytic degradation efficiency. When tested with methyl orange, the TiO2/CdS composite demonstrated strong stability, excellent photocatalytic activity, and reliable

Two-step laser synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ nanomaterials for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

• Marija Kovačević,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Rafaela Radičić,
• Vladimir Rajić,
• Nikša Krstulović,
• Miloš Momčilović and
• Sanja Živković

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 622–634, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.43

• resonance effects and facilitates the formation of Schottky barriers at the metal–semiconductor interface, both of which contribute to an extended light absorption range and enhanced charge carrier separation. The improved activity is primarily attributed to the narrowing of TiO2’s effective bandgap and the

• , extending light absorption toward the visible region [12] and enabling efficient activity under visible light. In sum, laser-synthesized Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles uniquely combine structural purity and optical enhancement, positioning them as superior candidates for solar-assisted photocatalytic applications

• photosynthetic activity by limiting light penetration in water bodies and causes toxicity to aquatic organisms. Furthermore, RhB is considered a potential mutagen and carcinogen, capable of causing DNA damage and posing significant risks to human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Given these

Probing tribological evolution in atomically thin MoS₂ at different scales

• Xingzhong Zeng and
• Miao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 586–597, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.40

• . For 1L MoS2, the slip distance is larger than that of 4L MoS2, confirming that slip distance is a valid metric for sub-nanoscale stick–slip activity. Conventional atomistic MD simulations (with simulation box sizes typically below 10 nm) cannot capture long-range distortions (e.g., wrinkles with

• details of individual sub-nanoscale events are not resolvable, the load-dependent variation trend of slip distance still accurately characterizes the evolution of sub-nanoscale stick–slip activity (i.e., the frequency and intensity of sub-nanoscale events). This spatial characterization is sufficient to

Synthesis of Cu–Mo/TiO₂ and Co–Mo/TiO₂ photocatalysts for the efficient degradation of organic pollutants in water

• Ilse Acosta,
• Brenda Zermeño,
• Edgar Moctezuma,
• Luis F. Garay-Rodríguez and
• Isaías Juárez-Ramírez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 559–570, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.37

• can improve light absorption and photocatalytic activity of the material through the generation of oxygen vacancies, which act as electron traps [12]. The Mo6+ ion has a radius similar to that of Ti4+; thus, it is ideal for introduction into the TiO2 lattice without causing significant disturbances

• only to the anatase phase, with a preferential orientation along the (101) plane. The photocatalytic activity of both anatase and rutile crystalline phases has been widely discussed in the literature, and it is generally accepted that anatase exhibits higher photocatalytic activity due to its higher

• emission may coexist with trapping states. The relationships between PL intensity and photocatalytic activity are very complicated and depend on dopant species [39]. The inhibition of TiO2 phase transformation from anatase to rutile can increase surface oxygen vacancy and defect content [39]. Then, the

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• products have also been widely investigated for their antiparasitic activity [9]. Notably, some of the studies featured here suggest that nanoemulsion droplets can be internalized by infected macrophages, increasing local exposure at the host–parasite interface and thereby enhancing leishmanicidal activity

Electrochemical determination of ciprofloxacin using a MIL-101/reduced graphene oxide-modified electrode

• Nguyen Quang Man,
• Nguyen Ngoc Nghia,
• Nguyen Vinh Phu,
• Vo Thi Khanh Ly,
• Le Lam Son,
• Pham Khac Lieu,
• Le Thi Hong Phong,
• Nguyen Dinh Luyen and
• Dinh Quang Khieu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 541–554, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.35

• enhanced the electrocatalytic activity toward CPR oxidation. The electrochemical behavior of CPR on the MIL-101/rGO-modified electrode was systematically investigated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimized experimental conditions, the proposed sensor exhibited a linear

• electrochemical performance of the composite material. This combination can promote efficient analyte adsorption and fast charge transfer at the electrode interface. Consistent with this idea, Gu et al. reported that MIL-101/rGO composites exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of

• electrochemical sensor for CPR detection. The electrochemical behavior of CPR on the MIL-101/rGO-modified electrode was examined. The proposed sensor demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity, high sensitivity, and a low detection limit for CPR. Additionally, the practical utility of the sensor was

Upcycling agroindustrial waste into graphene oxide supports for gold nanoparticles: toward sustainable nanomaterials

• Juan Marcos Castro-Tapia,
• Selene Acosta,
• Hiram Joazet Ojeda-Galván,
• Elsie Evelyn Araujo-Palomo,
• Edgar Giovanni Villabona-Leal and
• Mildred Quintana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 489–504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.32

• becomes essential to investigate the functionalization potential of Agro-GO materials as viable alternatives to conventionally produced GO [29]. The integration of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto GO yields hybrid materials with synergistic enhancements, such as improved conductivity, plasmonic activity

• platforms have shown promise in electrochemical and colorimetric sensing of environmental contaminants, allowing for sensitive and rapid detection of toxic species in water [60][61][62]. Beyond catalysis and sensing, the well-documented antibacterial activity of AuNPs, combined with the large surface area

Defects and defect-mediated engineering of two-dimensional materials: challenges and open questions

• Arkady V. Krasheninnikov,
• Matthias Batzill,
• Anouar-Akacha Delenda,
• Marija Drndić,
• Chris Ewels,
• Katharina J. Franke,
• Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl,
• Alexander Holleitner,
• Ado Jorio,
• Ute Kaiser,
• Daria Kieczka,
• Hannu-Pekka Komsa,
• Jani Kotakoski,
• Manuel Längle,
• David Lamprecht,
• Yun Liu,
• Steven G. Louie,
• Janina Maultzsch,
• Thomas Michely,
• Katherine Milton,
• Anna Niggas,
• Hanako Okuno,
• Joshua A. Robinson,
• Marika Schleberger,
• Bruno Schuler,
• Alexander Shluger,
• Kazu Suenaga,
• Kristian S. Thygesen,
• Richard A. Wilhelm,
• E. Harriet Åhlgren and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31

Nanocarrier-integrated multilayer films produced by 3D printing for improved skin adhesion and curcumin photostability

• Thayse Viana de Oliveira,
• Ana Paula Farias Leão,
• Júlia Leão,
• Cesar Liberato Petzhold and
• Ruy Carlos Ruver Beck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 440–453, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.30

• derived from Curcuma longa (turmeric) with well-documented biological activities [15][16], including properties that may be advantageous for skin-healing applications. For example, curcumin exhibits strong anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling, as well

• as antioxidant activity through reactions with free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. These mechanisms contribute to reduced oxidative stress and enhanced wound-healing processes [17]. Consequently, curcumin is currently under investigation

• nanocapsules or non-encapsulated curcumin was based on previous studies demonstrating the ability of nanocarriers to improve the aqueous solubility and antioxidant activity of curcumin when formulated as a gel [24][25][26]. Consequently, the objective of the present study was to use SSE 3D printing to design

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• properties of nanomaterials reported in experimental papers, the ability to predict or impute physicochemical properties as inputs for quantitative structure/activity/property relationship (QSAR/QSPR) models is critical. Moncho et al. surveyed the nanomaterials QSAR literature to determine the variety of

• enzymatic activity of the hatching enzyme ZHE1. The developed nano-quantitative read across structure–toxicity relationship (nano-qRASTR) model, featuring three attributes, outperformed the previously reported simple QSTR model, and enabled prediction of zebrafish embryo toxicity of 35 diverse MeOx

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• generation requires efficient excitation and minimal competing non-ROS-producing relaxation pathways. Low dark toxicity minimizes harm in the absence of light. High stability and low aggregation under physiological conditions are essential for maintaining photochemical activity [22]. A balanced

• hydrophilicity/lipophilicity ensures selective accumulation in target tissues, such as tumors via the EPR effect, and efficient cellular internalization. Low photobleaching sustains activity during treatment, while biocompatibility and biodegradability reduce adverse effects and enhance the therapeutic index

• also widely used to enhance BNP functionality [73][74][75]. Non-covalent methods, such as lipid insertion, allow for the integration of targeting ligands, peptides, or imaging agents into the membrane without disrupting protein activity. Covalent modifications, including the attachment of antibodies or

Eco-efficient materials for agricultural crops based on a mineral rich in MOR- and HEU-type zeolites

• Esperanza Yamile de la Nuez-Pantoja,
• Inocente Rodríguez-Iznaga,
• Gerardo Rodríguez-Fuentes,
• Vitalii Petranovskii,
• Ariel Martínez García,
• José Juan Calvino Gámez and
• Daniel Goma Jiménez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 381–395, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.26

• time, even multicomponent zeolite-containing rocks (e.g., clinoptilolite, heulandite, mordenite, quartz, and plagioclase) retain high sorption and ion exchange activity, sufficient for a wide range of applications. Local extraction minimizes transportation costs, which is especially important for

• the possibility of developing materials that adequately meet the requirements of crop nutrition and environmentally friendly agricultural activity. Conclusion An exhaustive study was carried out on a zeolitic mineral consisting mainly of a mixture of two zeolites, mordenite (MOR) and clinoptilolite

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• (PDA) is widely used to functionalize materials and enhance cell attachment. At the same time, the potential of the dopamine precursor tyrosine in its polymerized form (polytyrosine, PTYR) remains underexplored despite its biological activity. In this study, we developed nanostructured PDA and PTYR

• several weeks and prolonged antimicrobial activity [21][22][23]. Beyond classical PDA films, broader catechol-based and PDA-inspired chemistries have been explored, including phenolic polymer systems, mussel-inspired adhesive interfaces and catechol-rich surface architectures, which have been shown to

Durable antimicrobial activity of fabrics functionalized with zeolite ion-exchanged nanomaterials against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

• Perla Sánchez-López,
• Kendra Ramirez Acosta,
• Sergio Fuentes Moyado,
• Ruben Dario Cadena-Nava and
• Elena Smolentseva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 262–274, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.18

• atom % are evaluated regarding their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), as well as regarding their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the uniform distribution and successful

• functionalization. This method demonstrates a simple and industry-compatible approach for producing durable antimicrobial cotton fabrics. Keywords: antimicrobial activity; Escherichia coli; fabrics functionalization; ion exchange; nanomaterial; Staphylococcus aureus; zeolite; Introduction The development of

• inactivate a wide range of microorganisms. Today, both silver and copper are widely used in various medical and healthcare applications due to their effective antimicrobial activity. For example, copper was found to be 99.9% efficient in inactivating microorganisms within the first two hours of contact [13

Gold nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide as a highly effective catalyst for the selective α,β-dehydrogenation of N-alkyl-4-piperidones

• Brenda Flore Kenyim,
• Mihir Tzalis,
• Marilyn Kaul,
• Robert Oestreich,
• Aysenur Limon,
• Chancellin Pecheu Nkepdep and
• Christoph Janiak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 218–238, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.15

• Au@SiW9/rGO exhibited the highest catalytic activity for the selective oxidation reaction despite containing the lowest gold loading. These findings highlight the exceptional performance of rGO as a support for AuNP catalysts and provide valuable insights for designing efficient Au-based systems for

• size, stabilized by SiW9, and supported on the three-carbon materials AC, rGO, and CB by the RD and DP methods were synthesized as depicted in Figure 1. To assess the influence of the preparation methods and the type of the carbon supports, the catalytic activity was evaluated using the model reaction

• facilitate charge transfer between the metal and the support, enhancing the activation of molecular oxygen and promoting the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) pathway. This synergistic interaction should not only improve the intrinsic catalytic activity but also allow the catalyst to achieve high efficiency

Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• complementary benefits within SSbD. First, predictive modelling tools, such as quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models, can forecast toxicological and physicochemical properties of emerging substances, reducing the reliance on time-consuming and costly experimental assays [24][25]. The

• structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models can identify potentially hazardous properties of new ENMs before they are synthesized, reducing the need for extensive animal testing and accelerating the design cycle [36][37]. Similarly, AI can support the development of sustainable ENMs through integration of

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• , which enhances drug targeting while reducing off-target effects. These carriers leverage triggers such as changes in pH, enzymatic activity, redox conditions, temperature, light, ultrasound, X-rays, and magnetic fields to enable intelligent and controlled release of therapeutics. This review examines

• ) [15]. These systems can switch their surface charge in response to tumour microenvironment (TME) triggers such as pH changes, redox states, or enzymatic activity, enhancing drug stability, facilitating cellular uptake, and enabling targeted drug release. This responsive functionality gives CR-NDDSs a

• multiple drugs in response to the biochemical cues of the tumour microenvironment, enhancing anticancer activity with reduced off-target effects [53]. 2.4 Light-responsive nanocarriers Light-sensitive nanocarriers represent an innovative approach to regulated drug delivery, utilizing photosensitive

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• third most prevalent type of cancer in the world. R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) is a phycobiliprotein isolated from red algae such as Solieria filiformis, with fluorescent properties, photodynamic activity and potential for cancer treatment. However, 5-FU toxicity promotes several side effects and R-PE low

• tumor cells, enhancing the internalization of the system and promoting greater cytotoxic activity compared to conventional therapies [10]. By combining selective cytotoxicity with the potential to label cancer tissue using an imaging probe, EGFR-targeted immunoliposomes represent an integrated approach

• therapy. Another characteristic of this molecule is its fluorescence activity, which is important for use as a diagnosis tool [14]. Recently, our research group has demonstrated the potential of using the fluorescent properties of R-PE in 4T1 (triple-negative breast murine cancer) and PC3 (human prostate