Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications of Bacteriocin-Selenium Nanoconjugates

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antibiotic overuse has accelerated the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Novel antimicrobial strategies are crucial to combat life-threatening infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel bacteriocin-selenium nanoconjugates.
• To investigate the antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties of these nanoconjugates.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of nanoconjugates combining selenium nanoparticles and Enterococcus faecium SMAA23 bacteriocin.
• Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and zeta potential analysis.
• Evaluation of antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis, and anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 cells.

Main Results:

• Nanoconjugates characterized with a crystallite size of 15.29 nm and particle size between 11-24 nm.
• Significant antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (23 mm inhibition zone, MIC 15.625 µg/mL, MBC 31.25 µg/mL).
• Antifungal activity against C. albicans (14 mm) and C. tropicalis (16 mm), and potent inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized bacteriocin-selenium nanoconjugates demonstrate significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer potential.
• This novel nanoconjugate represents a promising therapeutic candidate for addressing antibiotic resistance and associated diseases.