Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles with augmented biological activity using Smilax glabra Roxb extract combined with electrochemical plasma

Abstract

Selenium (Se) nanoparticles (SeNPs) express greater bioavailability, biocompatibility, and less toxicity than Se in ion form. SeNPs can be synthesized using different methods, including physics, chemistry, electrochemical plasma, and green synthesis using bacteria or plant extracts. In this study, the SeNPs were synthesized using a combination of Smilax glabra (SG) root extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent combined with electrochemical plasma (PLS), and their biological activities were examined for the first time. The obtained results showed that the SeNPs (SG+PLS) were successfully fabricated in a spherical shape with a size in the range of < 100 nm and maximal specific absorption spectrum at 310 nm. The SeNPs showed a free radical scavenging effect up to 94 % at a concentration of 125 µg/mL. Moreover, it expressed higher O₂^- radical scavenging activity compared to the SeNPs (SG) and SeNPs (PLS) alone at the test concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 125 µg/mL. The SeNPs also exhibited better antibacterial activity against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans than those of SeNPs (SG) and SeNPs (PLS). Thus, one-step synthesized SeNPs (SG+PLS) with augmented biological activities had potential applications in foods and cosmetics.