Carbon quantum dot preparation and application to detecting active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are fluorescent carbon nanomaterials that have been applied to biology, medicine, and optoelectronics, owing to their significant advantages such as simple synthesis methods, low cost, and widely available sources of raw synthesis materials. This review summarizes CQD preparation methods, which include hydrothermal and microwave-assisted synthesis methods, as well as separation methods such as centrifugation, dialysis, and filtration. Additionally, we review the application of CQDs in the detection of active ingredients, primarily phenolic compounds, in traditional Chinese medicine. We also discuss the quenching mechanism of CQD fluorescence using the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine. Limitations such as insufficient test selectivity, weak fluorescence intensity, and an unclear quantitative relationship between preparation methods and properties should be resolved for the efficient use of CQDs to detect active ingredients in Chinese medicine.

An Overview of the Potential of Food-Based Carbon Dots for Biomedical Applications

“…These plants have gained popularity as valuable sources of carbon in the quest for CDs with medical properties (Table 2). Traditional Chinese medicine utilizes specific parts of these edible plants, including peels, fruits, seeds, roots, stems, and leaves, as raw materials [40]. These parts are collected and exposed to prolonged sunlight before being ground into powder.…”

“…Due to their richness in bioactive substances such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, and terpenoids, these plants constitute valuable resources for medicinal properties [117]. Interestingly, the process of transforming natural ingredients into CDs through heat treatment bears some resemblance to the traditional preparation of Chinese herbal medicine, where heat treatment is applied to raw materials [40,117]. Note that the manufacturing process of CDs employs modern molecular cooking techniques, utilizing high-purity molecules and precise processing conditions [40].…”

“…Interestingly, the process of transforming natural ingredients into CDs through heat treatment bears some resemblance to the traditional preparation of Chinese herbal medicine, where heat treatment is applied to raw materials [40,117]. Note that the manufacturing process of CDs employs modern molecular cooking techniques, utilizing high-purity molecules and precise processing conditions [40]. In vivo tumor imaging in mice [96] Tea tree (leaves) Hydrothermal (220 • C for 3 h) CDs/1.7-5.0 4.9…”

“…Similarities in substrate abundance and synthetic strategies have led to investigations into the extraction of CDs from various processed foods using organic extraction methods [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. Several studies have observed that substances like beer, instant coffee powder, roast duck, and even Traditional Chinese medicine derived from natural medicinal plants through decoction, baking, or roasting, have the potential to yield CDs [30,31,[37][38][39][40][41]. In this review, CDs obtained using food-grade raw materials through food-like processing methods are regarded as food-based CDs.…”