Highly robust Tremella polysaccharides stabilized selenium nanoparticles via avoiding polysaccharides...

This study employed the growth curve of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to reveal the mechanism by which Tremella polysaccharides (TP) concentration affects SeNPs. At TP concentrations of 0.25-3.0 mg/mL, TP-stabilized SeNPs (TP-SeNPs) prepared with 1.5 mg/mL TP showed the smallest size (56.8 nm) and optimal stability, as this concentration sufficiently limited the diffusion of Se⁰ species and nuclei. The increased particle size (71.8 nm) at 3.0 mg/mL TP was due to TP self-aggregation, evidenced by marked rises in viscosity and hydrodynamic diameter, along with atomic force microscopy-detected aggregates. This aggregation was probably correlated with uronic acid content (17.1%) and the rigid conformation of TP. Thermogravimetry, zeta potential, and storage modulus further confirm that self-aggregation diminishes coating effectiveness. This work provided a theoretical basis for determining stabilizer concentrations in SeNP preparation. Moreover, TP-SeNPs maintained a stable, monodisperse spherical structure under simulated gastrointestinal digestion, showing great potential as a low-toxicity, high-bioavailability Se supplement.