Presentation Information
[4GteX-11-KL]Nano-Bio Synergy: Biomass-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots for Enhancing Microbial Metabolism and Biochemical Production
○Chi-Wei (John) Lan1, Meng-Chien (Morgan) Wu1, En-Chi(Sandy) Yeg1, Yi-Zhen(Annie) Chiang1, Pei-Yin(Penny) Lin1 (1. Biorefinery and Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University (Taiwan))
Keywords:
Carbon Quantum Dots,Nano–Bio Synergy,Microbial Bioprocessing,Bioelectrochemical Systems,Circular Bioeconomy
This study aims to develop a novel nano–bio synergistic platform utilising biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to enhance microbial bioprocesses. By integrating nanotechnology with microbial biotechnology, the work seeks to improve bioenergetics, product yield, and sustainability within circular biorefinery systems.
CQDs were synthesised via facile carbonisation of biomass feedstocks, including microalgal residues and spent brewer’s grains. The resulting nanomaterials were characterised in terms of surface chemistry and morphology. CQDs were then introduced into microbial cultivation and bioelectrochemical systems to evaluate their role as nanoscale electron mediators. Comparative analyses were conducted between undoped and nitrogen-doped CQDs.
CQD supplementation significantly enhanced microbial performance, as evidenced by increased intracellular ATP levels, improved cell growth, and elevated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production, reaching up to 68.13% PHB content without genetic modification. Undoped CQDs exhibited strong antioxidant activity, attributed to abundant hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups. In contrast, nitrogen-doped CQDs showed improved yield and dispersion but reduced radical scavenging capability.
The findings highlight the critical role of CQD surface chemistry in governing nano–bio interactions, particularly in redox behaviour and metabolic regulation. While nitrogen doping enhances material properties, it may alter bioactivity, indicating a trade-off between structural optimisation and functional performance.
This study demonstrates that biomass-derived CQDs can serve as sustainable and efficient alternatives to conventional electron mediators. The integration of nano–bio systems, potentially supported by AI-driven biorefinery frameworks, offers a promising strategy for enhancing microbial biomanufacturing and advancing circular bioeconomy applications.
CQDs were synthesised via facile carbonisation of biomass feedstocks, including microalgal residues and spent brewer’s grains. The resulting nanomaterials were characterised in terms of surface chemistry and morphology. CQDs were then introduced into microbial cultivation and bioelectrochemical systems to evaluate their role as nanoscale electron mediators. Comparative analyses were conducted between undoped and nitrogen-doped CQDs.
CQD supplementation significantly enhanced microbial performance, as evidenced by increased intracellular ATP levels, improved cell growth, and elevated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production, reaching up to 68.13% PHB content without genetic modification. Undoped CQDs exhibited strong antioxidant activity, attributed to abundant hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups. In contrast, nitrogen-doped CQDs showed improved yield and dispersion but reduced radical scavenging capability.
The findings highlight the critical role of CQD surface chemistry in governing nano–bio interactions, particularly in redox behaviour and metabolic regulation. While nitrogen doping enhances material properties, it may alter bioactivity, indicating a trade-off between structural optimisation and functional performance.
This study demonstrates that biomass-derived CQDs can serve as sustainable and efficient alternatives to conventional electron mediators. The integration of nano–bio systems, potentially supported by AI-driven biorefinery frameworks, offers a promising strategy for enhancing microbial biomanufacturing and advancing circular bioeconomy applications.
Comment
To browse or post comments, you must log in.Log in