Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs): Recent Advances Towards Synthesis, Multifunctional Applications and Future...

Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a critical role in numerous physiological and metabolic processes. Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained substantial attention due to their higher bioavailability and markedly lower toxicity compared to traditional inorganic and organic selenium forms, making them attractive candidates for drug delivery and a range of biomedical applications. Their biological activity is mainly influenced by particle size, shape, and the chosen synthesis route, with green synthesis and biologically derived methods often used for their enhanced compatibility with living systems. Advances in research have broadened the use of SeNPs in antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory therapies. This review specifically highlights not only the biological synthesis of SeNPs using bacteria, fungi, and plants, along with their diverse bioactivities, but also other potential applications of SeNPs in fields such as food packaging, drug delivery, and textiles. Articles from the past as well as from 2025 were searched using 'Google Scholar', 'Web of Science', 'Scopus', and 'PubMed' databases. Given the limited comprehensive reports available, this review may provide a guide for further investigation into SeNPs.