Título:	Effects of carbon dots on Cucumis melo L. development: An NMR-based metabolomics and metabolic pathways analysis approach.
Autoria:	SOUSA, F. A. de SILVA, L. M. A. e ALVES FILHO, E. de G. SILVA, F. R. da CANUTO, K. M. CARVALHO, R. de C. S. ROCHA, K. A. D. FERNANDES, C. de F. ARAGAO, F. A. S. de MARTINS, N. F.
Afiliação:	FRANCISCO ACÁCIO DE SOUSA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; LORENA MARA ALEXANDRE E SILVA, CNPAT; ELENILSON DE GODOY ALVES FILHO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; FABIANA RODRIGUES DA SILVA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL RURAL DO SEMI-ÁRIDO; KIRLEY MARQUES CANUTO, CNPAT; RITA DE CASSIA SILVA CARVALHO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; KESYA AMANDA DANTAS ROCHA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; CLEBERSON DE FREITAS FERNANDES, CNPAT; FERNANDO ANTONIO SOUZA DE ARAGAO, CNPAT; NATALIA FLORENCIO MARTINS, CNPAT.
Ano de publicação:	2026
Referência:	Industrial Crops & Products, v. 241, 122562, 2026.
Conteúdo:	The use of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as biostimulants presents a promising tool for sustainable agriculture by enhancing plant metabolism and crop quality. Although, the precise metabolic mechanisms remain poorly un- derstood. In this study, we investigated the effects of CQD-based formulation on the growth and metabolic profile of Cucumis melo L. BRS Araguaia using NMR metabolomics along with metabolic pathway analysis. Agronomic and physicochemical parameters of the leaf and fruit samples under foliar application were assessed (fruit weight, total and internal diameter, pulp thickness, firmness, and ◦ Brix) at concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 g/L) and three developmental stages. The resulting spectral data analyzed using multivariate statistical models reveals that foliar application significantly reduced methanol and sucrose/glucose while increasing citric acid across development stages. Analysis of the fruit pulp revealed a critical metabolic shift: treated plants exhibited an accumulation of simple sugars (glucose and fructose) and a decrease in sucrose, correlated with an increase in fruit ◦ Brix. These findings suggest that the CQDs enhance nutrient uptake and regulate growth at the molecular level. Additionally, NMR analysis of treated leaves and pulp revealed modifications in metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and cell growth. We conclude that foliar application of CQD at 24 g/L is an effective strategy to improve melon fruit quality by enhancing sweetness. These findings could enhance agricultural practices, promote sustainability, and drive biotechnological inno- vation by optimizing resource use and strengthening plant resilience.
Thesagro:	Melão Cucumis Melo Adubação Foliar Metabolismo Vegetal
NAL Thesaurus:	Sustainable agriculture Cucumis melo subsp. melo Foliar application Metabolomics Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Fruit quality Plant growth Carbohydrate metabolism
Palavras-chave:	Carbon quantum dots Plant biostimulants NMR metabolomics Nanotecnologia Carbon quantum dot-based biostimulant Arbolina® Foliar application of carbon quantum dots BRS Araguaia melon NMR-based metabolomics Metabolic pathway analysis Plant metabolic reprogramming Total soluble solids content Fruit sweetness Leaf and fruit pulp metabolic profile Bioestimulante à base de pontos quânticos de carbono Aplicação foliar de pontos quânticos de carbono Melão BRS Araguaia Metabolômica baseada em RMN Análise de vias metabólicas Reprogramação metabólica vegetal Teor de sólidos solúveis Doçura do fruto Metabolismo de carboidratos Perfil metabólico de folhas e polpa
ISSN:	1872-633X
Digital Object Identifier:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122562
Tipo do material:	Artigo de periódico
Acesso:	openAccess
Aparece nas coleções:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPAT)