biostudies-literaturePant MDepartment of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology9186-9194https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10026554biostudies-literatureUnknown13(14)Bio-inspired quantum dots have received widespread attention in recent years due to their great potential for biological applications. Herein, we report a one pot hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-phosphorus-sulphur (NPS)-codoped carbon quantum dots from endophytic bacteria without using any additional doping precursor. The synthesized CQDs were thoroughly characterized and interestingly found to have a graphene like structure. The synthesized CQDs were then utilized in bactericidal activities against Gram-negative bacteria like <i>Salmonella typhi</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and Gram-positive bacteria like the <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> strain. The strains were treated with different concentrations ranging from 5-100 µg ml^-1. The 5 µg ml^-1 concentration appeareRSC advancesA universal green approach for the synthesis of NPS-codoped carbon quantum dots with enhanced broad-spectrum antibacterial and antioxidant activities.PMC10026554IFA16-MS81Pande VKiran KDandapat APant MBisht NSKumar SfalseA universal green approach for the synthesis of NPS-codoped carbon quantum dots with enhanced broad-spectrum antibacterial and antioxidant activities.Bio-inspired quantum dots have received widespread attention in recent years due to their great potential for biological applications. Herein, we report a one pot hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-phosphorus-sulphur (NPS)-codoped carbon quantum dots from endophytic bacteria without using any additional doping precursor. The synthesized CQDs were thoroughly characterized and interestingly found to have a graphene like structure. The synthesized CQDs were then utilized in bactericidal activities against Gram-negative bacteria like <i>Salmonella typhi</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and Gram-positive bacteria like the <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> strain. The strains were treated with different concentrations ranging from 5-100 µg ml^-1. The 5 µg ml^-1 concentration appeare2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2026-05-29T02:18:13.149Z2025-02-19T02:22:09.706ZS-EPMC100265543695071210.1039/d2ra08103b