Hydrothermal Synthesis, Stability, Antioxidant Activity and Effect of Carbon Dots from Bletilla Striata on the Growth of Mung Bean Sprouts

Carbon quantum dots, are characterized by their exceptional fluorescence properties, low toxicity, and broad potential in biological applications and bionanotechnology. In this study, carbon dots derived from Bletilla striata (BS-CDs) were synthesized to investigate their antioxidant activity, stability, and their effects on the growth of mung bean sprouts. The results showed that BS-CDs possess remarkable antioxidant properties and excellent stability. At lower concentrations, BS-CDs significantly promoted plant growth, whereas higher concentrations exerted inhibitory effects. The optimal concentration for growth enhancement was determined to be 0.4 mg/mL (an increase of 36.4% compared to the deionized water control group). These findings highlight the potential of BS-CDs as innovative agricultural supplements, leveraging their antioxidant activity and concentration-dependent effects to improve plant growth.