Recent Development of Carbon Quantum Dots: Biological Toxicity, Antibacterial Properties and Application in Foods

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are category of novel carbon nanomaterials, which have gradually attracted attention due to their unique properties. CQDs have obvious advantages such as water solubility, modifiability, photochemical property, easy surface modification, antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility. In this paper, the formation mechanism and doping synthesis methods of CQDs are summarized. This review also highlights the biological toxicity, antibacterial properties and application of CQDs in the detection of heavy metals, antibiotics, pathogens, pesticide residues and prohibited additives in food, nutritional functional components, and fresh-keeping of fruits and vegetables.