Biogenesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Using Green Chemistry

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Selenium is an essential trace element that binds to enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, crucial for combating oxidative stress and biological infections.
• Traditional chemical and physical methods for synthesizing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are often expensive and carry inherent risks.
• Green chemistry offers a safer approach to nanoparticle synthesis using biological entities as catalysts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) across various biological organisms.
• To highlight the advantages of green synthesis methods for SeNPs production.
• To discuss the biological activities and diverse applications of SeNPs.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing macro/microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, plants) as biocatalysts for the green synthesis of SeNPs.
• Leveraging the diversity of microbial reduction enzymes to convert selenium ions (Se^2-) into elemental selenium nanoparticles (Se⁰).
• Reviewing existing literature on SeNPs synthesis, characterization, and biological activities.

Main Results:

• Microbial synthesis of SeNPs results in variations in particle morphology and shape due to diverse enzymatic reduction capabilities.
• Biologically synthesized SeNPs demonstrate protective effects against DNA oxidation.
• SeNPs exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against the growth and proliferation of microorganisms in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

• Green synthesis of SeNPs using microorganisms is a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative.
• SeNPs possess valuable biological activities, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
• The diverse applications of SeNPs span medicine, microelectronics, agriculture, and animal husbandry, underscoring their importance.