Selenium nanoparticles stabilized by polyphenols from black bean husk: synthesis, characterization, stability and...

Novel well-dispersed spherical selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using phenolic extract from black bean husk (BBP) as template were optimally prepared, which exhibited excellent environmental stability under weak alkaline condition and long-term storage stability under 4 °C. The formation of SeNPs and the functional groups of BBP successfully conjugated to SeNPs were confirmed by UV-Vis and FT-IR, separately. The amorphous structure of BBP-SeNPs was characterized by X Ray Diffraction, and their spherical morphology was observed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. The selenium level of foxtail millet sprouts was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by presoaking with BBP-SeNPs solutions. Moreover, BBP-SeNPs exhibited superior performance in enhancing antioxidant capacity of foxtail millet sprout to sodium selenite, as well as increasing contents of polyphenols, carotenoids, and γ-aminobutyric acid, while effectively reducing phytic acid. These findings unveil the potential of BBP-SeNPs as an elicitor for improving the levels of bioactive compounds in Se-enriched functional foxtail millet sprouts.