A photoluminescent turn-on probe was evaluated for putrescine detection using graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Different photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles were prepared using a bottom-up approach, employing citric acid as a precursor, either alone or mixed with other compounds containing heteroatoms (N and/or S) for nanostructure functionalization. It was observed that the nanoparticles prepared with citric acid and thiourea (GQDs-TU) exhibited a more pronounced increase in photoluminescence (analytical response) when exposed to this biogenic amine. Experimental conditions were fine-tuned to optimize the response profile and obtain the analytical parameters of merit. In the batch assay, the normalized analytical curve (L-L0 concentration versus PUT) was linear (R2 = 0,9498) up to 90 mg L-1 . The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 15,1 mg L-1 and the limit of detection (LOD) was 4,5 g L-1 . Furthermore, the proposed strategy for the indirect determination of putrescine was adapted for a flow injection analysis (FIA) system to increase the analytical frequency, reduce waste, and automate analyte quantification. After optimization of the assay, with the linear range covering the range up to 50 mg L-1 (R2 = 0,9980), the LOD and LOQ values were 3,0 mg L-1 e 9,93 mg L-1 , respectively.