Antibacterial activity and wound healing promotion of biomass carbon dots derived from a forestry pest, Glenea cantor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract Forestry pests pose serious ecological challenges, yet their biological value remains underexplored. This study aimed to convert the destructive longhorn beetle Glenea cantor ( G. cantor ) into biomass carbon dots (GC-CDs) with both antibacterial and wound healing properties. GC-CDs were synthesized by a simple microwave-assisted method and characterized by techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particles were quasi-spherical with an average size of 1.02 nm and displayed excellent water solubility. In vitro assays confirmed the low cytotoxicity and hemolysis rates of GC-CDs, while in vivo evaluations showed no systemic toxicity. GC-CDs inhibited Escherichia coli growth and enhanced cell migration and wound closure in scratch assays, Transwell tests, and mouse wound models. These results demonstrate that GC-CDs possess dual antibacterial and wound healing activities, offering a sustainable strategy for transforming forestry pests into valuable biomedical resources. Graphical Abstract