article · Green Processing and Synthesis
Selenium nanoparticles offer a safer form of selenium for various biomedical and biotechnological uses. In this research, selenium nanoparticles were produced through green synthesis using a cell-free extract of the microalgae Spirulina platensis. Synthesis using varying concentrations of sodium selenite produced spherical nanoparticles with mean diameters ranging from 12.64 down to 5.93 nanometres, accompanied by highly negative zeta potentials. Chemical analysis indicated that multiple algal phytochemicals participated in forming the nanoparticles. When tested against common foodborne pathogens, specifically Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, the nanoparticles demonstrated strong antibacterial activity. This antimicrobial effect increased as nanoparticle size decreased. Microscopic examination of Salmonella typhimurium exposed to the particles showed severe, time-dependent cellular destruction. The findings demonstrate an effective biological method for creating nanomaterials that can combat hazardous bacterial species.
Bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus pose persistent threats to food safety and public health. Utilizing microalgae extracts offers an eco-friendly synthesis route that avoids hazardous chemicals while producing stable nanomaterials. Because these smaller nanoparticles actively destroy bacterial cells, this biological approach provides a sustainable pathway for developing alternative antimicrobial agents against hazardous foodborne microorganisms.
This work could enable green antimicrobial additives for food preservation, packaging, or biomedical coatings, relevant to food processors and healthcare product developers. The technology appears to be at an early laboratory stage, having demonstrated in vitro synthesis and bacterial destruction, but it requires formulation development, toxicity evaluation, and process scaling before any commercial deployment.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are reinforced safe forms of the essential micronutrient selenium (Se) which take a lead in countless biotechnological and biomedical applications. The phycosynthesis of SeNPs was successfully investigated using cell-free extract of the microalgae, Spirulina platensis. The phycosynthesized S. platensis -SeNPs ( Sp SeNPs) were characterized using several characterization techniques such as UV-Visible, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray. They were effectually achieved using different concentration from sodium selenite (Na 2 SeO 3 ) (1, 5, and 10 mM) to give size means of 12.64, 8.61, and 5.93 nm, respectively, with spherical shapes and highly negative zeta potentialities. The infrared analyses revealed the involvement of many phycochemials in Sp SeNPs production. The antibacterial properties of Sp SeNPs were confirmed, qualitatively and quantitatively, against foodborne microorganisms ( Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium ); the antibacterial activity was correlated and increased with SeNPs’ size diminution. The scanning micrographs of S. typhimurium cells treated with Sp SeNPs indicated the severe action of nanoparticles to destroy bacterial cells in time-dependent manners. The innovative facile phycosynthesis of SeNPs using S. platensis is recommended to generate effectual bioactive agents to control hazardous bacterial species.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1515/gps-2021-0005
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
