Multifunctional carbon dots from and : synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) derived from (Pk-CDs) and (Ge-CDs) were synthesized a one-step hydrothermal method and characterized using TEM, XPS, and FTIR. Pk-CDs and Ge-CDs exhibited uniform spherical morphologies (6.2 ± 0.3 nm and 6.8 ± 0.4 nm, respectively) and excitation-dependent fluorescence. Antibacterial assays demonstrated potent inhibition against Gram-positive (, ) and Gram-negative bacteria (, ). antioxidant assays demonstrated that Pk-CDs outperformed Ge-CDs in DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging, with IC values of 2.994 mg mL and 0.30 mg mL, respectively. studies in a d-galactose-induced oxidative stress model confirmed significant improvements in SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA levels. These findings highlight the multifunctional properties of Pk-CDs and Ge-CDs, and underscore their potential as natural product-derived nanomaterials for biomedical applications, particularly as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.