Pelagic Sargassum as Source of Quantum Dots

Pelagic Sargassum, a genus of algae considered invasive species in the Caribbean Sea, has been used as raw material for varied purposes in different fields. In nanotechnology, Sargassum has been proposed as a source for the synthesis of nanoparticles known as carbon quantum dots (CQDs) due to its composition, mostly proteins and carbohydrates (mono and polysaccharides), as well as to the low cost and low environmental impact of the processes used to obtain them. Nanoparticles, specifically CQDs, can be applied in many important fields such as medicine, food technology, and agricultural and environmental sciences. In these, CQDs can play a variety of roles, acting as labeling or bioimaging agents, biosensors or as drug or gene delivery vectors. Many of these applications are still under study, and thus, this chapter summarizes the newest information regarding the synthesis and applications of CQDs, paying special attention to its ecofriendly preparation processes.