Abstract

In this work, avocado peel was chosen as a low-value waste that could be used as a carbon source to synthesize carbon dots (APCQDs). To obtain it, the hydrothermal method was used in the absence of co-doping agents. The synthesis was carried out for 6 hours at 250 ºC. After purification by dialysis and lyophilization, CQDs that exhibited intense blue fluorescence (emission at 378 nm) were obtained. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), evidence the spherical morphology of carbon dots within nanometer range. HPLC analysis and separation showed excellent separation even in columns with low porosity, indicating a separation mechanism where polarity predominates as the property that governs the separation. It is highlighted that avocado peel CQDs have potent antimicrobial activity against the pathogens Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144, and Salmonella enterica ATCC 13076. The antioxidant effect was also evidenced in the DPPH and ORAC-FL. The synthesis method for APCQDs could be easily scaled up for gram scale synthesis of carbon quantum dots.