{
  "abstract": "This study elucidates a sustainable nanobiotechnological intervention using Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) synthesized from the red macroalga Gracilaria corticata via a facile one-step hydrothermal carbonization method. The synthesized CQDs, optimized using response surface methodology, exhibited a mean particle size of 2.65 ± 0.6 nm and distinct optical properties, characterized by strong UV absorption (∼283 nm) and blue-violet fluorescence (∼425 nm). This Stokes shift enables the CQDs to function as light-harvesting nanoantennae, converting photosynthetically inactive UV radiation into useful visible light. In a controlled hydroponic trial with basil ( Ocimum basilicum ), the biological impact of these nanomaterials was evaluated across a concentration gradient (0–75 mg.L -1 ) via foliar and root application pathways. Foliar application at 50 mg L -1 emerged as the optimal biostimulation strategy, eliciting a profound 44.65% increase in net photosynthetic rate (A) and a ∼30% gain in total biomass compared to the controls. Physiological profiling revealed that this enhancement was driven by a synergistic mechanism involving accelerated electron transport, upregulated chlorophyll biosynthesis, and optimized stomatal conductance, without compromising water use efficiency. Conversely, high-concentration root applications (>50 mg.L -1 ) induced non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis, highlighting the critical importance of the application interface. These findings establish red algae-derived CQDs as potent, multifunctional agents capable of simultaneously expanding the light-harvesting capacity of crops and modulating metabolic flows, offering a scalable, green solution for high-value industrial crop production.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Iran",
    "Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran",
    "Faculty of Advanced Technologies, Nano-Chemical Engineering Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran",
    "Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sepideh Nasermoadeli"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mahboobeh Zare Mehrjerdi",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3547-0144"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Mohammad Etemadi",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2093-9173"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sasan Aliniaeifard",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9572-2839"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Mohammad Mahdi Zerafat",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2392-7987"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "زهرا صولتی دالکی"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bnhdfnv62xd2m.bib",
  "cited_by": 5,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "bnhdfnv62xd2m",
  "issns": [
    "2590-1230"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1110|Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7162448594",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-05-26",
  "publisher": "Elsevier BV",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bnhdfnv62xd2m.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T13:21:09Z",
      "native_id": "W7162448594",
      "source": "openalex",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1110|Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Biogenic carbon quantum dots as spectral-converting nano-biostimulants: Coupling photosynthetic efficiency with sustainable productivity in Ocimum basilicum",
  "title_text": "Biogenic carbon quantum dots as spectral-converting nano-biostimulants: Coupling photosynthetic efficiency with sustainable productivity in Ocimum basilicum",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T13:20:51Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bnhdfnv62xd2m",
  "venue": "Results in Engineering",
  "versions": []
}