Biogenic carbon quantum dots as spectral-converting nano-biostimulants: Coupling photosynthetic efficiency with sustainable productivity in Ocimum basilicum
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Iran
- 2Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
- 3Faculty of Advanced Technologies, Nano-Chemical Engineering Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
- 4Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
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.
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BibTeX
@article{nasermoadeli2026biogenic,
title = {{Biogenic carbon quantum dots as spectral-converting nano-biostimulants: Coupling photosynthetic efficiency with sustainable productivity in Ocimum basilicum}},
author = {Sepideh Nasermoadeli and Mahboobeh Zare Mehrjerdi and Mohammad Etemadi and Sasan Aliniaeifard and Mohammad Mahdi Zerafat and زهرا صولتی دالکی},
journal = {Results in Engineering},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biogenic carbon quantum dots as spectral-converting nano-biostimulants: Coupling photosynthetic efficiency with sustainable productivity in Ocimum basilicum
AU - Sepideh Nasermoadeli
AU - Mahboobeh Zare Mehrjerdi
AU - Mohammad Etemadi
AU - Sasan Aliniaeifard
AU - Mohammad Mahdi Zerafat
AU - زهرا صولتی دالکی
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/26
JO - Results in Engineering
DO - 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111261
AB - 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.
SN - 2590-1230
ER -