Carbon dots from dragonfruit peels as growth-enhancer on ipomoea aquatica vegetable cultivation

Mahardika Prasetya Aji, Lathifatus Sholikhah, Fina Idhamatus Silmi, Hestining Ajeng Permatasari, Ita Rahmawati, Aan Priyanto and Bebeh Wahid Nuryadin

Abstract

C-dots have been successfully synthesised from the dragon fruit peels and were applied as growth-enhancer for Ipomoea aquatica vegetable cultivation. C-dots were obtained from the extract of dragon fruit peels via microwave radiation for 5 to 30 min. Two typical peaks of betalains in the dragon fruit peel extract experienced alteration. When increasing the microwave radiation time, typical peak intensity at 543 nm is decreased and peak intensity at 393 nm is increased. C-dots from dragon fruit peels have particle size in range of 8–25 nm. The optimum C-dots have been produced from 20-min microwave radiation with power of 230 watt. The emission of C-dots appeared at wavelength of 450 nm. The obtained C-dots are capable of binding nitrogen-phosphor-potassium (NPK) fertiliser and act as nutrients carrier. C-dots were then directly supplemented to Ipomoea aquatica vegetable to figure out their influence on plant growth. The supplementation of C-dots was varied by their volume fraction. The effect of C-dots was analysed by measuring the growth rate of plant. This study confirmed that the supplementation of C-dots could enhance the growth of Ipomoea aquatica vegetable. This study denoted that C-dots from dragon fruit peel extracts successfully act as a growth enhancer to increase vegetable yields