Carbon Nanodots: Synthesis and Applications in Health, Food and Agriculture

This contributed volume explores the innovative applications and transformative potential of carbon nanodots (CNDs) in revolutionizing human health, food security, and agriculture. Edited by leading experts, it provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis methods and unique properties that establish CNDs as a groundbreaking innovation in nanotechnology.

The chapters cover a broad range of topics, including the role of CNDs in drug delivery, antimicrobial resistance, and cancer therapy. Readers will learn how CNDs are advancing diagnostics through bioimaging and biosensors, offering new pathways for early disease detection. The book also highlights their applications in sustainable agriculture, such as enhancing crop growth, protecting crops from pathogens, and improving food preservation techniques. Through a detailed examination of the latest scientific breakthroughs, it provides insights into the practical applications and future potential of CNDs. Additionally, it presents an analysis of the challenges and opportunities in scaling up CND production, addressing critical questions related to safety, toxicity, and regulatory frameworks.

This book serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and students in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, and biotechnology. It offers essential knowledge for those looking to explore the practical applications and future potential of CNDs. With its emphasis on sustainability and cutting-edge research, this volume invites readers to think critically about the role of CNDs in addressing global challenges in health, food, and agriculture.

Professor Mahendra Rai is a UGC–Basic Science Research Faculty Fellow and former Head of the Department of Biotechnology at Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, India. He is currently a Senior Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil. His research expertise spans microbial biotechnology and nanobiotechnology, with a particular focus on the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles and carbon dots using plants and fungi for antimicrobial applications. He has published over 450 research papers and authored/edited 75 books. His research impact is reflected in an h-index of 93. He is the recipient of several prestigious honors, including the Father T.A. Mathias Award and the Medini Award (Government of India). He has also served as a visiting professor/scientist in several countries, including Brazil, Poland, Switzerland, and Italy. Recognized among the top 2% of global scientists in nanoscience and nanotechnology, he was recently honored with the 2025 Biology and Biochemistry India Leader Award by Research.com, where he was ranked 7th nationally in Biology and Biochemistry.

Dr. Sushama Talegaonkar is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, DPSRU, New Delhi. She has approximately 24 years of experience in teaching and research. She has been ranked among the top 2% of world scientists according to the global list compiled by Stanford University for the last five consecutive years, since 2020.

Dr. Talegaonkar has recently been granted two Indian Patents and has filed three Indian patents that are currently under examination.  She has published more than 210 research papers in high-impact-factor, internationally reputed journals and 30 papers in National journals, with an h-index of 63, an i10-index of 167, and more than 16,000 Google Scholar citations.  She has travelled to Canada, United Kingdom and Singapore to present her research papers. Her research paper titled “Development and bioavailability assessment of remipril nanoemulsion formulation” has received the most cited research paper award on behalf of reputed published and the board of the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. She is also the recipient of UGC Research Award 2014-16. She is actively involved in developing a wide variety of smart and functionalized nano drug delivery systems for targeted drug delivery to treat challenging diseases like Cancer (Breast and triple negative breast cancer), Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoporosis, etc. She is also a member of the Board of Governors, Hyderabad.

Dr. József Prokischis a chemist specializing in food innovation and product development, with over forty food products and several patents to his name. As a professor at the University of Debrecen, he teaches physical chemistry, automation, toxicology, biosensors, and functional food development. He has authored over 400 scientific publications and 6 patents and is the founder of multiple companies. His research focuses on nanotechnology, specifically the production and effects of selenium, tellurium, and carbon nanoparticles. Recently, he has been working on introducing sensors and automation in food technology. He actively participates in EU and Hungarian research projects and has collaborated with companies in Finland. He also spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Reference Materials and Measurements (BCR-IRMM) in Belgium.