Transformation of crystalline starch nanoparticles into highly luminescent carbon nanodots: Toxicity studies and their applications

• Starch nanocrystal form Discorea hispida is a new source of nanocrystal.
• Nanocrystal in this research shows same role as other conventional starch sample.
• Transformation of starch nanocrystal into carbon nanodots.
• Novel approach of C-dots into fluorescent ink.
• Can use in detecting natural and synthetic material.

Being abundant in many tropical part of the world, Dioscorea sp. as food is limited due to its toxicity. However polysaccharides derive from these tubers could be important for other applications. Here we developed a Highly Luminescent Carbon Nanodots (C-dots) via acid hydrolysis of Gadong starch (GS). The hydrolysis rate of GS increased from 49% to 86% within 7 days while the X-ray diffraction showed the native GS particle is a C-crystalline type. The GS particles were either round or oval with diameters ranging from 50–90 nm. Further acid dehydration and surface oxidation reduced the size of GS nanoparticles to 6–25 nm. The C-dots produced a fluorescent emission at wavelength 441 nm. Toxicity tests demonstrate that zebrafish embryo were able to tolerate the C-dots for 48 h after exposure. This study has successfully demonstrated a novel approach of converting GS into excellent fluorescent C-dot.