Watermelon Rind Mediated Biosynthesis of Bimetallic Selenium-Silver Nanoparticles: Characterization, Antimicrobial...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Microbial infections pose a global health threat, driving research into novel antimicrobial agents.
• Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging as promising candidates for combating microbial infections due to their synergistic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To biosynthesize bimetallic selenium-silver nanoparticles (Se-Ag NPs) using watermelon rind (WR) extract via a green method.
• To characterize the synthesized Se-Ag NPs and evaluate their antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.

Main Methods:

• Green synthesis of Se-Ag NPs using watermelon rind extract.
• Characterization using UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
• Assessment of antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal strains, cytotoxicity against Wi38 normal cells, and anticancer activity against MCF7 cancer cells.

Main Results:

• Se-Ag NPs were successfully synthesized with sizes ranging from 18.3 nm to 49.6 nm.
• The NPs exhibited synergistic antimicrobial activity against *Candida albicans*, *Escherichia coli*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Klebsiella oxytoca*, *Bacillus subtilis*, and *Staphylococcus aureus* (MIC: 12.5–50 µg/mL).
• Cytotoxicity assessment showed an IC50 of 168.42 µg/mL against Wi38 normal cells, while anticancer activity against MCF7 cells yielded an IC50 of 21.6 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• First-time green synthesis of bimetallic Se-Ag NPs using watermelon rind extract.
• The synthesized Se-Ag NPs demonstrate significant antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties.
• The study highlights the potential of Se-Ag NPs as a less toxic alternative to silver nanoparticles for therapeutic applications.