Carbon dots synthesis from tuna processing wastes and investigation of its potential to use as active food packaging

This thesis investigates the synthesis and characterization of carbon dots derived from tuna processing waste, their potential use as active food packaging, and their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities. The characterization of carbon dots was performed using UV-visible absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra. The strong UV-protective properties and tunable fluorescence emission of the carbon dots indicate their potential for food packaging applications. The cytotoxicity study of carbon dots revealed that they are non-toxic to cells at low concentrations but can negatively impact cell growth at high concentrations. The antioxidant activity of the films was analyzed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, and it was found that the addition of carbon dots significantly increased the antioxidant activity of the composite films. The antimicrobial activity of the films demonstrated that carbon dots are effective against L. monocytogenes and could serve as a potential antimicrobial agent against pathogenic bacteria.