Research Article

Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste

Volume: 9 Number: 3 September 27, 2025

Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste

Abstract

The valorization of agro-waste through controlled carbonization presents a sustainable route to engineer functional carbon dots (CDs) with tailorable properties. In this study, the CDs were derived from biomass waste such as olive mill wastewater (OMW), olive leaves, hibiscus calyxes, and chokeberry pomace through hydrothermal method. Comprehensive characterization revealed size-dependent properties, with most CDs ranging between 4.2-7.6 nm (except OMW-derived CDs at 32.7 nm), and distinct surface chemistries correlated to their biomass precursors. Notably, CDs derived from olive leaves (OLCDs) and hibiscus calyxes (HCDs) exhibited higher carbonyl and carboxyl group densities, correlating with the elevated phenolic content of their biomass precursors. All CDs demonstrated exceptional antioxidant activity (>88% DPPH radical scavenging), attributable to the abundance and diversity of bioactive compounds in the source materials. These findings highlight the dual potential of agro-waste-derived CDs as sustainable nanomaterials and potent antioxidants, offering scalable solutions for both environmental waste management and food preservation technologies—particularly as active packaging components or edible coatings to extend shelf life.

Keywords

Carbon dots, Sustainability, Biomass, Waste valorization, Antioxidant

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APA
Uzun, S. (2025). Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 9(3), 954-965. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.3.35
AMA
1.Uzun S. Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9(3):954-965. doi:10.31015/2025.3.35
Chicago
Uzun, Suzan. 2025. “Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 (3): 954-65. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.3.35.
EndNote
Uzun S (September 1, 2025) Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 3 954–965.
IEEE
[1]S. Uzun, “Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 954–965, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.31015/2025.3.35.
ISNAD
Uzun, Suzan. “Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9/3 (September 1, 2025): 954-965. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.3.35.
JAMA
1.Uzun S. Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9:954–965.
MLA
Uzun, Suzan. “Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 9, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 954-65, doi:10.31015/2025.3.35.
Vancouver
1.Suzan Uzun. Tailoring Carbon Dot Properties Through Phenolic-Enriched Agro-Waste. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025 Sep. 1;9(3):954-65. doi:10.31015/2025.3.35