Puntos de carbono antimicrobianos: aprovechamiento de fuentes ecológicas para nanomateriales multifuncionales y su impacto en la atención médica
Barra lateral del artículo
Contenido principal del artículo
Resumen
El uso de nanomateriales en los últimos años ha impulsado el desarrollo de plataformas innovadoras para el avance de la atención médica. Las nanoestructuras basadas en carbono, en particular los puntos cuánticos de carbono (CDs), se han revelado como materiales muy prometedores para diversas aplicaciones biomédicas, incluyendo la terapia antimicrobiana, la bioimagen, la administración de genes y el diagnóstico de enfermedades, como la detección del cáncer. Considerando las preocupaciones sobre la sostenibilidad, se han explorado métodos de síntesis respetuosos con el medio ambiente, donde la composición química del precursor de carbono y la presencia de grupos funcionales superficiales influyen de manera crucial en las propiedades fisicoquímicas y el desempeño biológico de los CDs. A pesar de su creciente aplicación, los mecanismos de interacción celular de los CDs y sus posibles efectos toxicológicos aún no se comprenden completamente. Esta revisión destaca la síntesis de CDs a partir de fuentes de carbono naturales y cómo estas influyen en sus propiedades intrínsecas, centrándose en su actividad antimicrobiana. Además, examina su potencial terapéutico en el tratamiento de enfermedades, considerando las vías metabólicas clave y la baja toxicidad asociada con su uso, subrayando su potencial como una plataforma segura y eficaz en la atención médica.
Descargas
Altmetric data
Detalles del artículo
Mundo Nano. Revista Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, editada por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, se distribuye bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional.
Basada en una obra en http://www.mundonano.unam.mx.
Citas
Agnol, L. D., Neves, R. M., Maraschin, M., Moura, S., Ornaghi, H. L., Dias, F. T. G. and Bianchi, O. (2021). Green synthesis of spirulina-based carbon dots for stimulating agricultural plant growth. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 30, e00347. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SUSMAT.2021.E00347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2021.e00347
Algarra, M., Pérez-Martín, M., Cifuentes-Rueda, M., Jiménez-Jiménez, J., Esteves Da Silva, J. C. G., Bandosz, T. J., Rodríguez-Castellón, E., López Navarrete, J. T. and Casado, J. (2014). Carbon dots obtained using hydrothermal treatment of formaldehyde. Cell imaging in vitro. Nanoscale, 6(15): 9071-9077. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR01585A. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR01585A
Al-Ghamdi, S. A., Darwish, A. A. A., Hamdalla, T. A., Pasha, A., Elnair, M. E., Al-Atawi, A. and Khasim, S. (2023). Biological synthesis of novel carbon quantum dots using Halimeda opuntia green algae with improved optical properties and electrochemical performance for possible energy storage applications. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 18(5), 100102. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJOES.2023.100102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoes.2023.100102
Aslan, M., Eskalen, H. and Kavgaci, M. (2023). Carbon quantum dot (CQD) nanoparticles synthesized by sucrose and urea: application as reinforcement effect on Al–Mg–Cu–Zn composite. Russian Journal of General Chemistry, 93(8): 2152-2160. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1070363223080236/FIGURES/11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1070363223080236
Aygun, A., Bennini, N., Tiri, R. N. E., Kaynak, I. and Sen, F. (2025). Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped CQDs for detection of Cr6+ and removal of MB dye in wastewater. Next Nanotechnology, 8, 100150. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NXNANO.2025.100150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxnano.2025.100150
Bao, X., Yuan, Y., Chen, J., Zhang, B., Li, D., Zhou, D., Jing, P., Xu, G., Wang, Y., Holá, K., Shen, D., Wu, C., Song, L., Liu, C., Zbořil, R. and Qu, S. (2018). In vivo theranostics with near-infrared-emitting carbon dots — Highly efficient photothermal therapy based on passive targeting after intravenous administration. Light: Science and Applications, 7(1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-018-0090-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-018-0090-1
Barua, S. and Mitragotri, S. (2014). Challenges associated with penetration of nanoparticles across cell and tissue barriers: a review of current status and future prospects. Nano Today, 9(2): 223-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NANTOD.2014.04.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2014.04.008
Başoğlu, A. (2025). One-step green hydrothermal-assisted synthesis of carbon quantum dots from Robinia hispida L. flowers and flourimetric detection of Au3+ ions in aqueous media. Luminescence, 40(2), e70099. https://doi.org/10.1002/BIO.70099. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bio.70099
Behzadi, S., Serpooshan, V., Tao, W., Hamaly, M. A., Alkawareek, M. Y., Dreaden, E. C., Brown, D., Alkilany, A. M., Farokhzad, O. C. and Mahmoudi, M. (2017). Cellular uptake of nanoparticles: journey inside the cell. Chemical Society Reviews, 46(14): 4218-4244. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00636A. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00636A
Bhatt, S., Bhatt, M., Kumar, A., Vyas, G., Gajaria, T. and Paul, P. (2018). Green route for synthesis of multifunctional fluorescent carbon dots from tulsi leaves and its application as Cr(VI) sensors, bio-imaging and patterning agents. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 167: 126-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COLSURFB.2018.04.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.04.008
Biswal, M. R. and Bhatia, S. (2021). Carbon dot nanoparticles: exploring the potential use for gene delivery in ophthalmic diseases. Nanomaterials, 11(4): 935. https://doi.org/10.3390/NANO11040935. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11040935
Blanco, E., Shen, H. and Ferrari, M. (2015). Principles of nanoparticle design for overcoming biological barriers to drug delivery. Nature Biotechnology, 33(9): 941-951. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3330
Cassano, D., Pocoví-Martínez, S. and Voliani, V. (2018). Ultrasmall-in-nano approach: enabling the translation of metal nanomaterials to clinics. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 29(1): 4-16. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.BIOCONJCHEM.7B00664/SUPPL_FILE/BC7B00664_LIVESLIDES.MP4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00664
Chai, H., Zhang, Z., Sun, J., Zhong, M., Liu, M., Li, J., Chen, Z., Gong, B., Xu, Q., Huang, Z. and Cui, L. (2024). Enhancing tetracycline degradation with biomass carbon quantum dot (CQDs)-modified magnetic heterojunction CeO2-Fe3O4 under visible light. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12(2): 112338. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JECE.2024.112338. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112338
Chenthamara, D., Subramaniam, S., Ramakrishnan, S. G., Krishnaswamy, S., Essa, M. M., Lin, F. H. and Qoronfleh, M. W. (2019). Therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles and routes of administration. Biomaterials Research, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S40824-019-0166-X/ASSET/680F39BA-397D-41A3-9DD5-2BB07C0BDA88/ASSETS/GRAPHIC/S40824-019-0166-X.FIG.012.PNG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40824-019-0166-x
Cohen, E. N., Kondiah, P. P. D., Choonara, Y. E., du Toit, L. C. and Pillay, V. (2020). Carbon dots as nanotherapeutics for biomedical application. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 26(19): 2207-2221. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612826666200402102308. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612826666200402102308
Das, S., Mondal, S. and Ghosh, D. (2023). Carbon quantum dots in bioimaging and biomedicines. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1333752. https://doi.org/10.3389/FBIOE.2023.1333752/XML/NLM. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1333752
Deb, A. and Chowdhury, D. (2023). Biogenic carbon quantum dots: synthesis and applications. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 31(25): 3899-3924. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867330666230608105201/CITE/REFWORKS. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867330666230608105201
Dehvari, K., Liu, K. Y., Tseng, P. J., Gedda, G., Girma, W. M. and Chang, J. Y. (2019). Sonochemical-assisted green synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots from crab shell as targeted nanoprobes for cell imaging. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 95: 495-503. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JTICE.2018.08.037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2018.08.037
Dhariwal, J., Rao, G. K. and Vaya, D. (2024). Recent advancements towards the green synthesis of carbon quantum dots as an innovative and eco-friendly solution for metal ion sensing and monitoring. RSC Sustainability, 2(1): 11-36. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SU00375B. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SU00375B
Du, X., Zhang, M., Ma, Y., Wang, X., Liu, Y., Huang, H. and Kang, Z. (2023). Size-dependent antibacterial of carbon dots by selective absorption and differential oxidative stress of bacteria. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 634: 44-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCIS.2022.12.025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.025
Eker, F., Duman, H., Akdaşçi, E., Bolat, E., Sarıtaş, S., Karav, S. and Witkowska, A. M. (2024). A comprehensive review of nanoparticles: from classification to application and toxicity. Molecules, 29(15): 3482. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES29153482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153482
Emam, R. A., Magdy, G., Belal, F. and Emam, A. A. (2025). Innovative eco-friendly microwave-assisted synthesis of S, N-CQDs as a sensitive fluorescent nanoprobe for the analysis of the food preservative sodium benzoate in soft drink samples: compliance with greenness metrics. Microchemical Journal, 212, 113248. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROC.2025.113248. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.113248
Eskalen, H., Uruş, S., Kavgacı, M., Kalmış, H. V. and Tahta, B. (2024). Carbon quantum dots derived from pomegranate peel: highly effective Fe(III) sensor. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 14(1): 1201-1214. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13399-023-04048-5/FIGURES/16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04048-5
Fakheri, A., Esmaeilnejad, B., Akbari, H. and Molaei, R. (2025). In vitro evaluation of anthelmintic activity of biocompatibile carbon quantum dot nanocomposite against egg and larval stages of equine strongyles. BMC Veterinary Research, 21(1): 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12917-025-04494-5/FIGURES/12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04494-5
Fang, M., Lin, L., Zheng, M., Liu, W. and Lin, R. (2023). Antibacterial functionalized carbon dots and their application in bacterial infections and inflammation. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 11(39): 9386-9403. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01543B. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01543B
Gao, J., Zhu, M., Huang, H., Liu, Y. and Kang, Z. (2017). Advances, challenges and promises of carbon dots. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 4(12): 1963-1986. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QI00614D. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7QI00614D
Gao, M., Zhang, S., Zhang, Z., Wang, H., Wu, J., Chang, Z., Zhang, Z. and Zhao, B. (2024). Comparison of toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of carbon quantum dots and CdSe quantum dots on Chromochloris zofingiensis from the chemical composition perspective. Chemosphere, 363, 142911. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2024.142911. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142911
Gencer, Ö. (2025). Synthesis of quantum dots using biomaterials derived from blue crab and their potential applications. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology, 13(2): 464-468. https://doi.org/10.24925/TURJAF.V13I2.464-468.7412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i2.464-468.7412
Gonzalez-Reyna, M. A., España-Sanchez, B. L., Molina, G. A., Lopez-Miranda, J. L., Mendoza-Cruz, R., Esparza, R. and Estevez, M. (2022). Carbon dots synthesized from Cinchona Pubescens Vahl. An efficient antibacterial nanomaterial and bacterial detector. ChemistrySelect, 7(17), e202104530. https://doi.org/10.1002/SLCT.202104530. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202104530
Gromnicova, R., Kaya, M., Romero, I. A., Williams, P., Satchell, S., Sharrack, B. and Male, D. (2016). Transport of gold nanoparticles by vascular endothelium from different human tissues. PLOS ONE, 11(8), e0161610. https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0161610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161610
Gul, U., Kanwal, S., Tabassum, S., Gilani, M. A. and Rahim, A. (2020). Microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon dots as reductant and stabilizer for silver nanoparticles with enhanced-peroxidase like activity for colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. Microchimica Acta, 187(2): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00604-019-4098-X/TABLES/2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-4098-x
Gunawan, C., Lim, M., Marquis, C. P. and Amal, R. (2014). Nanoparticle–protein corona complexes govern the biological fates and functions of nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2(15): 2060-2083. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3TB21526A. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c3tb21526a
Gupta, A., Mumtaz, S., Li, C. H., Hussain, I. and Rotello, V. M. (2019). Combatting antibiotic-resistant bacteria using nanomaterials. Chemical Society Reviews, 48(2): 415. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00748E. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00748E
Hardman, R. (2006). A toxicologic review of quantum dots: toxicity depends on physicochemical and environmental factors. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(2): 165-172. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP.8284/ASSET/FB7E9581-8DAF-4547-BA4E-DC7243A45306/ASSETS/GRAPHIC/EHP0114-000165F1.JPG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8284
Hua, X. W., Bao, Y. W., Chen, Z. and Wu, F. G. (2017). Carbon quantum dots with intrinsic mitochondrial targeting ability for mitochondria-based theranostics. Nanoscale, 9(30): 10948-10960. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR03658B. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR03658B
Hua, X. W., Bao, Y. W. and Wu, F. G. (2018). Fluorescent carbon quantum dots with intrinsic nucleolus-targeting capability for nucleolus imaging and enhanced cytosolic and nuclear drug delivery. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10(13): 10664-10677. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.7B19549/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/AM-2017-19549E_0003.JPEG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b19549
Huang, G., Chen, X., Wang, C., Zheng, H., Huang, Z., Chen, D. and Xie, H. (2017). Photoluminescent carbon dots derived from sugarcane molasses: synthesis, properties and applications. RSC Advances, 7(75): 47840-47847. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RA09002A. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RA09002A
Huang, X., Zhang, F., Zhu, L., Choi, K. Y., Guo, N., Guo, J., Tackett, K., Anilkumar, P., Liu, G., Quan, Q., Choi, H. S., Niu, G., Sun, Y. P., Lee, S. and Chen, X. (2013). Effect of injection routes on the biodistribution, clearance and tumor uptake of carbon dots. ACS Nano, 7(7): 5684-5693. https://doi.org/10.1021/NN401911K/SUPPL_FILE/NN401911K_SI_001.PDF. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/nn401911k
Huo, Y., Xiu, S., Meng, L. Y. and Quan, B. (2023). Solvothermal synthesis and applications of micro/nano carbons: a review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 451, 138572. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2022.138572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138572
Jana, P. and Dev, A. (2022). Carbon quantum dots: a promising nanocarrier for bioimaging and drug delivery in cancer. Materials Today Communications, 32, 104068. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MTCOMM.2022.104068. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.104068
Jhonsi, M. A., Ananth, D. A., Nambirajan, G., Sivasudha, T., Yamini, R., Bera, S. and Kathiravan, A. (2018). Antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and DNA binding studies of carbon dots. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 196: 295-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAA.2018.02.030. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.02.030
Jing, H. H., Bardakci, F., Akgöl, S., Kusat, K., Adnan, M., Alam, M. J., Gupta, R., Sahreen, S., Chen, Y., Gopinath, S. C. B. and Sasidharan, S. (2023). Green carbon dots: synthesis, characterization, properties and biomedical applications. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/JFB14010027. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14010027
Jing, S., Zhao, Y., Sun, R. C., Zhong, L. and Peng, X. (2019). Facile and high-yield synthesis of carbon quantum dots from biomass-derived carbons at mild condition. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 7(8): 7833-7843. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSSUSCHEMENG.9B00027/SUPPL_FILE/SC9B00027_SI_001.PDF. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b00027
Joseph, J. G. and Liu, A. P. (2020). Mechanical regulation of endocytosis: new insights and recent advances. Advanced Biosystems, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/ADBI.201900278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.201900278
Kamal, A., Hong, S. and Ju, H. (2025). Carbon quantum dots: synthesis, characteristics and quenching as biocompatible fluorescent probes. Biosensors, 15(2): 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/BIOS15020099. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15020099
Kamble, P., Ghatage, M., Shaikh, S. and Pandey-Tiwari, A. (2025). Green synthesis of red fluorescent carbon quantum dots: antioxidant, hemolytic, biocompatibility and photocatalytic applications. Journal of Fluorescence, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10895-024-04073-1/FIGURES/6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-024-04073-1
Kang, K., Liu, B., Yue, G., Ren, H., Zheng, K., Wang, L. and Wang, Z. (2023). Preparation of carbon quantum dots from ionic liquid modified biomass for the detection of Fe3+ and Pd2+ in environmental water. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 255, 114795. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOENV.2023.114795. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114795
Kohli, H. K. and Parab, D. (2025). Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and applications: An insight. Next Materials, 8, 100527. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NXMATE.2025.100527. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100527
Kumar, A., Patel, D. D., Banerjee, J., Sharma, M., Bhatia, D., Banerjee, S. and Yadav, A. K. (2025). Next-generation cancer theragnostic: applications of carbon quantum dots. ChemNanoMat, 11(5): e202500061. https://doi.org/10.1002/CNMA.202500061;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cnma.202500061
Kumar, P., Dua, S., Kaur, R., Kumar, M. and Bhatt, G. (2022). A review on advancements in carbon quantum dots and their application in photovoltaics. RSC Advances, 12(8): 4714-4759. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA08452F. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA08452F
Kumar, R., Kumar, V. B. and Gedanken, A. (2020). Sonochemical synthesis of carbon dots, mechanism, effect of parameters and catalytic, energy, biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 64, 105009. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ULTSONCH.2020.105009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2020.105009
Kumari, M., Chaudhary, G. R., Chaudhary, S., Huang, M. and Guo, Z. (2024). Transformation of waste rice straw to carbon quantum dots and their potential chemical sensing application: green and sustainable approach to overcome stubble burning issues. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 14(6): 7507-7518. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13399-022-02761-1/FIGURES/5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02761-1
Lary H. Slewa, (2024). Antifungal films for strawberry packaging using carbon quantum dots derived from lemon and onion juice via green hydrothermal method. Food Bioscience, 61, October, 104653 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104653. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104653
Lee, C., Kwon, W., Beack, S., Lee, D., Park, Y., Kim, H., Hahn, S. K., Rhee, S. W. and Kim, C. (2016). Biodegradable nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots for non-invasive photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. Theranostics, 6(12): 2196-2208. https://doi.org/10.7150/THNO.16923. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.16923
Lee, W. and Ko, S. (2025). Synthesis and characterization of lignocellulose-based carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and their antimicrobial and antioxidant functionalities. Molecules, 30(3): 667. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES30030667. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30030667
Li, H., Huang, J., Song, Y., Zhang, M., Wang, H., Lu, F., Huang, H., Liu, Y., Dai, X., Gu, Z., Yang, Z., Zhou, R. and Kang, Z. (2018). Degradable carbon dots with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10(32): 26936-26946. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.8B08832/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/AM-2018-08832T_0004.JPEG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b08832
Li, W., Luo, K., Lv, M. and Wen, Y. (2024). Carbon quantum dots derived from marine Eucheuma denticulatum for the efficient and sensitive detection of tetracycline. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 26(4): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11051-024-05977-6/TABLES/2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-024-05977-6
Liang, J., Li, W., Chen, J., Huang, X., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Shu, W., Lei, B. and Zhang, H. (2021). Antibacterial activity and synergetic mechanism of carbon dots against gram-positive and -negative bacteria. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 4(9): 6937-6945. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSABM.1C00618/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/MT1C00618_0007.JPEG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.1c00618
Lin, F., Wang, Z. and Wu, F. G. (2022). Carbon dots for killing microorganisms: an update since 2019. Pharmaceuticals, 15(10): 1236. https://doi.org/10.3390/PH15101236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101236
Liu, L., Hou, X., Ga, L., Du, Y., Ai, J. and Aodeng, G. (2025a). Microwave-assisted synthesis of sulfur-doped carbon quantum dots and their application in logic gate operations. Materials Today Quantum, 5, 100021. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MTQUAN.2024.100021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtquan.2024.100021
Liu, Y., Wang, X., Wang, G., Liu, B., Zhang, X., Chen, J., Dou, H. and Zhao, L. (2025b). Green biosynthesis of carbon quantum dots from lotus seed plumules for folic acid detection and bioimaging applications. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 332, 125825. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SAA.2025.125825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2025.125825
Liu, Y., Zhao, Y., Guo, S., Qin, D., Yan, J., Cheng, H., Zhou, J., Ren, J., Sun, L., Peng, H., Wu, X. and Li, B. (2024). Copper doped carbon dots modified bacterial cellulose with enhanced antibacterial and immune regulatory functions for accelerating wound healing. Carbohydrate Polymers, 346, 122656. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CARBPOL.2024.122656. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122656
López-Amador, A., Jiménez-Muñóz, B. I., Gutiérrez-Ortega, A., Eduardo Elizondo-Quiroga, D., Luna-Bárcenas, G., Gerardo Silva Vidaurri, L., Estevez, M. and Liliana España-Sánchez, B. (2024). Surface engineering of carbon dots synthesized from green sources with antiviral properties. Materials Letters, 366, 136569. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATLET.2024.136569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2024.136569
Lu, S., Guo, S., Xu, P., Li, X., Zhao, Y., Gu, W. and Xue, M. (2016). Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood-brain barrier penetration capabilities. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11: 6325-6336. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S119252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S119252
Magdy, G., El-Deen, A. K., Radwan, A. S., Belal, F. and Elmansi, H. (2025). Ultrafast microwave-assisted green synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots as turn-off fluorescent nanosensors for determination of the anticancer nintedanib: monitoring of environmental water samples. Talanta Open, 11, 100423. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TALO.2025.100423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talo.2025.100423
Mansuriya, B. D. and Altintas, Z. (2021). Carbon dots: classification, properties, synthesis, characterization and applications in health care-an updated review (2018-2021). Nanomaterials, 11(10), Basel, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.3390/NANO11102525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102525
Mishra, A., Jyoti, A., Aayush, K., Saxena, J. and Sharma, K. (2024). Harnessing nanoparticles to overcome antimicrobial resistance: promises and challenges. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 30(4): 292-306. https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128326718240809091654/CITE/REFWORKS. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/0113816128326718240809091654
Mishra, J., Suryawanshi, T., Redkar, N., Kumar Das, R., Saxena, S., Majumder, A., Kondabagil, K. and Shukla, S. (2025). Toxicological effects of metal-doped carbon quantum dots. ChemSusChem, e202402056. https://doi.org/10.1002/CSSC.202402056. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202402056
Mohammadinejad, R., Dadashzadeh, A., Moghassemi, S., Ashrafizadeh, M., Dehshahri, A., Pardakhty, A., Sassan, H., Sohrevardi, S. M. and Mandegary, A. (2019). Shedding light on gene therapy: carbon dots for the minimally invasive image-guided delivery of plasmids and noncoding RNAs – A review. Journal of Advanced Research, 18, 81-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JARE.2019.01.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2019.01.004
Muangmora, R., Rojviroon, O., Kemacheevakul, P., Chuangchote, S., Rajendran, R., Phouheuanghong, P., Arumugam, P., Paramasivam, S. and Rojviroon, T. (2025). Spent coffee ground-derived carbon quantum dot composite with metal oxides for photocatalytic degradation of carbaryl in water and antibacterial application. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 70, 107145. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JWPE.2025.107145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107145
Na, G. and Kang, J. W. (2025). Green synthesis of ZnO/CQD nanocomposite using chestnut shell and evaluating its photocatalytic antimicrobial activity under visible light. Food Research International, 205, 115948. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODRES.2025.115948. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115948
Nair, A., Haponiuk, J. T., Thomas, S. and Gopi, S. (2020). Natural carbon-based quantum dots and their applications in drug delivery: a review. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 132, 110834. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOPHA.2020.110834. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110834
Nammahachak, N., Aup-Ngoen, K. K., Asanithi, P., Horpratum, M., Chuangchote, S., Ratanaphan, S. and Surareungchai, W. (2022). Hydrothermal synthesis of carbon quantum dots with size tunability via heterogeneous nucleation. RSC Advances, 12(49): 31729-31733. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA05989D. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA05989D
Ng, L. Y., Chiang, A. K. M., Ng, C. Y., Ng, K. J., Mahmoudi, E., Lim, Y. P. and Ba-Abbad, M. M. (2025). Magnetite nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots from empty fruit bunches for tramadol removal. Processes, 13(2): 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/PR13020298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13020298
Niu, G., Gao, F., Li, C., Wang, Y., Li, H. and Jiang, Y. (2023). Dual enzyme-mimicking carbon dots for enhanced antibacterial activity. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 11(37): 8916-8925. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01376F. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01376F
Ono, S., Egawa, G. and Kabashima, K. (2017). Regulation of blood vascular permeability in the skin. Inflammation and Regeneration, 37(1): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/S41232-017-0042-9/TABLES/2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41232-017-0042-9
Othman, H. O., Anwer, E. T., Ali, D. S., Hassan, R. O., Mahmood, E. E., Ahmed, R. A., Muhammad, R. F. and Smaoui, S. (2024). Recent advances in carbon quantum dots for gene delivery: a comprehensive review. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 239(11): e31236. https://doi.org/10.1002/JCP.31236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.31236
Palanimuthu, K., Subbiah, U. B., Sundharam, S. and Munusamy, C. (2023). Spirulina carbon dots: a promising biomaterial for photocatalytic textile industry Reactive Red M8B dye degradation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(18): 52073-52086. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11356-023-25987-6/FIGURES/12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25987-6
Pareek, A., Kumar, D., Pareek, A. and Gupta, M. M. (2025). Advancing cancer therapy with quantum dots and other nanostructures: a review of drug delivery innovations, applications and challenges. Cancers, 17(5): 878. https://doi.org/10.3390/CANCERS17050878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050878
Pirsaheb, M., Mohammadi, S. and Salimi, A. (2019). Current advances of carbon dots based biosensors for tumor marker detection, cancer cells analysis and bioimaging. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 115: 83-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRAC.2019.04.003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2019.04.003
Portela, C. I., Vieira, N. C. S., Brazil, T. R., Giroto, A. S., Gabriel Filho, J. B. and Gonçalves, M. (2025). Utilization of biodiesel residue through efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon quantum dots: a versatile nanomaterial for environmental remediation. Environmental Research, 264, 120311. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2024.120311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.120311
Praseetha, P. K., Litany, R. I. J., Alharbi, H. M., Khojah, A. A., Akash, S., Bourhia, M., Mengistie, A. A. and Shazly, G. A. (2024). Green synthesis of highly fluorescent carbon quantum dots from almond resin for advanced theranostics in biomedical applications. Scientific Reports, 14(1): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75333-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75333-0
Qamar, W., Gulia, S., Athar, M., Ahmad, R., Imam, M. T., Chandra, P., Singh, B. P., Haque, R., Hassan, M. I. and Rahman, S. (2024). An insight into impact of nanomaterials toxicity on human health. PeerJ, 12(9): e17807. https://doi.org/10.7717/PEERJ.17807. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17807
Qu, X., Gao, C., Fu, L., Chu, Y., Wang, J. H., Qiu, H. and Chen, J. (2023). Positively charged carbon dots with antibacterial and antioxidant dual activities for promoting infected wound healing. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 15(15): 18608-18619. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.2C21839/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/AM2C21839_0008.JPEG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c21839
Rezaei, A. and Hashemi, E. (2021). A pseudohomogeneous nanocarrier based on carbon quantum dots decorated with arginine as an efficient gene delivery vehicle. Scientific Reports, 11(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93153-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93153-4
Riahi, Z., Khan, A., Rhim, J. W., Shin, G. H. and Kim, J. T. (2024). Sustainable packaging film based on cellulose nanofibres/pullulan impregnated with zinc-doped carbon dots derived from avocado peel to extend the shelf life of chicken and tofu. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 258, 129302. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJBIOMAC.2024.129302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129302
Salvi, A., Kharbanda, S., Thakur, P., Shandilya, M. and Thakur, A. (2024). Biomedical application of carbon quantum dots: a review. Carbon Trends, 17, 100407. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CARTRE.2024.100407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cartre.2024.100407
Shabbir, H., Tokarski, T., Ungor, D. and Wojnicki, M. (2021). Eco friendly synthesis of carbon dots by hydrothermal method for metal ions salt identification. Materials, 14(24): 7604. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA14247604. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14247604
Shahbaz, M., Salma, U., Alam, M. Z., Mujeeb, M. A., Ansari, R. ul H., Basha, H. A., Alimuddin and Khan, S. A. (2025). Fluorescent/ photoluminescent carbon dots as a sensor for the selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+/Fe2+ metal ions. A review of the last decade. Journal of Fluorescence, 35(9): 7451-7474. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10895-025-04166-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-025-04166-5
Shahryari, A., Burtscher, I., Nazari, Z. and Lickert, H. (2021). Engineering gene therapy: advances and barriers. Advanced Therapeutics, 4(9): 2100040. https://doi.org/10.1002/ADTP.202100040. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.202100040
Silva, C. F., Vasconcelos, K. C., Barros, A. F., Bernardo, V. B., Oliveira, L. F. A. M., Fonseca, E. J. S., Tonholo, J., Zanta, C. L. P. S., Duarte, J. L. S. and Oliveira, L. M. T. M. (2025). Green carbon quantum dots applied as tracer for petroleum reservoir characterization. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 43, e01274. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SUSMAT.2025.E01274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01274
Şimşek, S., Şüküroğlu, A. A., Yetkin, D., Özbek, B., Battal, D. and Genç, R. (2020). DNA-damage and cell cycle arrest initiated anti-cancer potency of super tiny carbon dots on MCF7 cell line. Scientific Reports, 10(1): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-020-707963;SUBJMETA=301,308,639,692,925;KWRD=MATERIALS+SCIENCE,MEDICAL+RESEARCH,NANOSCIENCE+AND+TECHNOLOGY. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70796-3
Song, T., Zhao, Y., Wang, T., Li, J., Jiang, Z. and Yang, P. (2020). Carbon dots doped with n and s towards controlling emitting. Journal of Fluorescence, 30(1): 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10895-019-02472-3/FIGURES/5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-019-02472-3
Soumya, K., More, N., Choppadandi, M., Aishwarya, D. A., Singh, G. and Kapusetti, G. (2023). A comprehensive review on carbon quantum dots as an effective photosensitizer and drug delivery system for cancer treatment. Biomedical Technology, 4, 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMT.2023.01.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmt.2023.01.005
Sturabotti, E., Camilli, A., Georgian Moldoveanu, V., Bonincontro, G., Simonetti, G., Valletta, A., Serangeli, I., Miranda, E., Amato, F., Giacomo Marrani, A., Migneco, L. M., Sennato, S., Simonis, B., Vetica, F. and Leonelli, F. (2024). Targeting the antifungal activity of carbon dots against candida albicans biofilm formation by tailoring their surface functional groups. Chemistry – A European Journal, 30(18): e202303631. https://doi.org/10.1002/CHEM.202303631;CTYPE:STRING:JOURNAL. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202303631
Su, W., Guo, R., Yuan, F., Li, Y., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Zhou, S. and Fan, L. (2020). Red-emissive carbon quantum dots for nuclear drug delivery in cancer stem cells. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 11(4): 1357-1363. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.JPCLETT.9B03891/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/JZ9B03891_0005.JPEG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03891
Sujatha, D., Nandigana, P., Sriram, P. and Panda, S. K. (2023). Characterization and physical properties of carbon quantum dots. Carbon Quantum Dots for Sustainable Energy and Optoelectronics, 55-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90895-5.00007-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90895-5.00007-2
Sun, H., Zhang, F., Wei, H. and Yang, B. (2013). The effects of composition and surface chemistry on the toxicity of quantum dots. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 1(47): 6485-6494. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3TB21151G. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c3tb21151g
Thakur, S., Bains, A., Kumar, A., Goksen, G., Dhull, S. B., Ali, N., Khan, M. R. and Chawla, P. (2024). Biomass-derived carbon quantum dots from Chlorella vulgaris: photocatalytic reduction of malachite green dye coupled with anti-quorum sensing and antimicrobial activity against food pathogens. Food Bioscience, 62, 105272. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FBIO.2024.105272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.105272
Thyda, L., Joseph, J. K., Naresh, K., Dasi, G., Suneetha, S., Thangavel, R., Jayalakshmi, V., Amaladass, P. and Thangaraju, K. (2025). Green synthesis of carbon quantum dots derived from mango-leaves (M−CQDs): M−CQDs/ZnO nanorods heterostructure thin films for efficient self-powered UV photodetector applications. Applied Surface Science, 685, 162032. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APSUSC.2024.162032. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.162032
Tony Elizabeth, A., James, E., Infant Jesan, L., Denis Arockiaraj, S. and Edwin Vasu, A. (2023). Green synthesis of value-added nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots from Crescentia cujete fruit waste for selective sensing of Fe3+ ions in aqueous medium. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 149, 110427. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INOCHE.2023.110427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.110427
Truskewycz, A., Yin, H., Halberg, N., Lai, D. T. H., Ball, A. S., Truong, V. K., Rybicka, A. M. and Cole, I. (2022). Carbon dot therapeutic platforms: administration, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity and therapeutic potential. Small, 18(16): 2106342. https://doi.org/10.1002/SMLL.202106342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202106342
Van Acker, H. and Coenye, T. (2017). The role of reactive oxygen species in antibiotic-mediated killing of bacteria. Trends in Microbiology, 25(6): 456-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TIM.2016.12.008/ASSET/D2BA9F57-6FE1-45B8-BD0A-3A0BCF4D73FB/MAIN.ASSETS/GR2.JPG. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2016.12.008
Wang, S., Wang, D., Wang, G., Zhang, M., Sun, Y. and Ding, J. (2025). Antibacterial carbon dots. Materials Today Bio, 30, 101383. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MTBIO.2024.101383. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101383
Wang, X., Feng, Y., Dong, P. and Huang, J. (2019). A mini review on carbon quantum dots: preparation, properties and electrocatalytic application. Frontiers in Chemistry, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/FCHEM.2019.00671. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00671
Wang, Y., Yao, J., Cao, Z., Fu, P., Deng, C., Yan, S., Shi, S. and Zheng, J. (2022). Peroxidase-mimetic copper-doped carbon-dots for oxidative stress-mediated broad-spectrum and efficient antibacterial activity. Chemistry–A European Journal, 28(14), e202104174. https://doi.org/10.1002/CHEM.202104174;PAGE:STRING:ARTICLE/CHAPTER. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202104174
Xiang, S. and Tan, M. (2022). Carbon dots derived from natural sources and their biological and environmental impacts. Environmental Science: Nano, 9(9): 3206-3225. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00435F. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00435F
Xiao, Y., Wang, Z., Fu, J., Zhang, J., He, Q., Lu, H., Zhou, Q. and Wang, H. (2025). Recent advances in the synthesis, characterization and application of carbon dots in the field of wastewater treatment: a comprehensive review. Water, 17(2): 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/W17020210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w17020210
Xu, M., Li, Z., Zhu, X., Hu, N., Wei, H., Yang, Z. and Zhang, Y. (2013). Hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis of graphene quantum dots and their biological applications. Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.5101/NBE.V4I3.P65-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5101/nbe.v4i3.p65-71
Zhang, H., Bai, J., Chen, X., Wang, L., Peng, W., Zhao, Y., Weng, J., Zhi, W., Wang, J., Zhang, K. and Zhang, X. (2024). Constructing a highly efficient multifunctional carbon quantum dot platform for the treatment of infectious wounds. Regenerative Biomaterials, 11. https://doi.org/10.1093/RB/RBAE105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rb/rbae105
Zhang, Y. N., Poon, W., Tavares, A. J., McGilvray, I. D. and Chan, W. C. W. (2016). Nanoparticle-liver interactions: cellular uptake and hepatobiliary elimination. Journal of Controlled Release, 240: 332-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCONREL.2016.01.020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.01.020
Zhao, W. B., Liu, K. K., Song, S. Y., Zhou, R. and Shan, C. X. (2019). Fluorescent nano-biomass dots: ultrasonic-assisted extraction and their application as nanoprobe for FE3+ detection. Nanoscale Research Letters, 14(1): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/S11671-019-2950-X/FIGURES/6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-019-2950-x
Zhao, W. B., Liu, K. K., Wang, Y., Li, F. K., Guo, R., Song, S. Y. and Shan, C. X. (2023). Antibacterial carbon dots: mechanisms, design and applications. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 12(23): 2300324. https://doi.org/10.1002/ADHM.202300324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202300324