Food Waste-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Applications in Food Technology: A Critical Review
Miyeser Aksu, Özgün Güzdemir
Abstract
Abstract Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have entered the world of food science and technology (FST) as a low-cost, sustainable, biodegradable, and functional nanoparticle alternative. In the last 5 years, a large number of articles (more than 100) regarding CQD synthesis from food waste and its valorization in FST were published in peer-reviewed journals. CQD properties depend upon the type of the precursor, synthesis method, size, and processing parameters. In the literature, there have been numerous application areas of CQDs offered for FST, especially in the last 5 years. This review study aims to combine and summarize all the information related to FST in one article. Therefore, this comprehensive review article provides a thorough summary of (i) the CQD food waste precursors, (ii) their synthesizing methods, (iii) the properties, and (iv) the application areas in FST. It also discusses and identifies some research needs. Graphical Abstract