The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are innovative carbon-based nanomaterials that can be synthesized from organic and inorganic sources using two approaches: “top-down” (laser ablation, arc discharge, electrochemical, and acidic oxidation) and “bottom-up” (hydrothermal, ultrasound-assisted, microwave, and t...

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Main Authors: Abdul Majid, Khurshid Ahmad, Liju Tan, Waqas Niaz, Wang Na, Li Huiru, Jiangtao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:C
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/1
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author Abdul Majid
Khurshid Ahmad
Liju Tan
Waqas Niaz
Wang Na
Li Huiru
Jiangtao Wang
author_facet Abdul Majid
Khurshid Ahmad
Liju Tan
Waqas Niaz
Wang Na
Li Huiru
Jiangtao Wang
author_sort Abdul Majid
collection DOAJ
description Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are innovative carbon-based nanomaterials that can be synthesized from organic and inorganic sources using two approaches: “top-down” (laser ablation, arc discharge, electrochemical, and acidic oxidation) and “bottom-up” (hydrothermal, ultrasound-assisted, microwave, and thermal decomposition). Among these, hydrothermal synthesis stands out as the best option as it is affordable and eco-friendly and can produce a high quantum yield. Due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties, CQDs are highly promising materials for diverse applications, i.e., medicine, bioimaging, and especially in food safety, which is one of the thriving fields of recent research worldwide. As an innovative sensing tool, CQDs with different surface functional groups enable them to detect food contaminants, i.e., food additives in processed food, drug residues in honey, and mycotoxins in beer and flour, based on different sensing mechanisms (IFE, PET, and FRET). This article discussed the sources, fabrication methods, advantages, and limitations of CQDs as a sensing for the detection of food contaminants. In addition, the cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, high quantum yield, safety concerns, and future research perspectives to enhance food quality and security were briefly highlighted. This review also explored recent advancements in CQD applications in food safety, supported by a bibliometric analysis (2014–2024) using the PubMed database.
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spelling doaj-art-75173eb48bad4daa86c2ee6c8445228d2025-08-20T02:11:18ZengMDPI AGC2311-56292024-12-01111110.3390/c11010001The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and PerspectivesAbdul Majid0Khurshid Ahmad1Liju Tan2Waqas Niaz3Wang Na4Li Huiru5Jiangtao Wang6Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao 266404, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaCarbon quantum dots (CQDs) are innovative carbon-based nanomaterials that can be synthesized from organic and inorganic sources using two approaches: “top-down” (laser ablation, arc discharge, electrochemical, and acidic oxidation) and “bottom-up” (hydrothermal, ultrasound-assisted, microwave, and thermal decomposition). Among these, hydrothermal synthesis stands out as the best option as it is affordable and eco-friendly and can produce a high quantum yield. Due to their exceptional physical and chemical properties, CQDs are highly promising materials for diverse applications, i.e., medicine, bioimaging, and especially in food safety, which is one of the thriving fields of recent research worldwide. As an innovative sensing tool, CQDs with different surface functional groups enable them to detect food contaminants, i.e., food additives in processed food, drug residues in honey, and mycotoxins in beer and flour, based on different sensing mechanisms (IFE, PET, and FRET). This article discussed the sources, fabrication methods, advantages, and limitations of CQDs as a sensing for the detection of food contaminants. In addition, the cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, high quantum yield, safety concerns, and future research perspectives to enhance food quality and security were briefly highlighted. This review also explored recent advancements in CQD applications in food safety, supported by a bibliometric analysis (2014–2024) using the PubMed database.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/1carbon quantum dotscarbon nanomaterialscarbon sourcesfood sensingfood safetyphotoluminescence
spellingShingle Abdul Majid
Khurshid Ahmad
Liju Tan
Waqas Niaz
Wang Na
Li Huiru
Jiangtao Wang
The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
C
carbon quantum dots
carbon nanomaterials
carbon sources
food sensing
food safety
photoluminescence
title The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
title_full The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
title_fullStr The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
title_short The Advanced Role of Carbon Quantum Dots in Nano-Food Science: Applications, Bibliographic Analysis, Safety Concerns, and Perspectives
title_sort advanced role of carbon quantum dots in nano food science applications bibliographic analysis safety concerns and perspectives
topic carbon quantum dots
carbon nanomaterials
carbon sources
food sensing
food safety
photoluminescence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/1
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