Unveiling the Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Cytotoxic Potential of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized with Syzygium cumini Leaf Extract

Abstract

The study aimed to utilize ecofriendly synthesis to produce selenium nanoparticles using Syzygium cumini leaf extract (SC-SeNPs), and assessing their antibacterial, antifungal activity, and cytotoxic effects. The synthesized Sc-SeNPs were initially subjected to various characterization studies to explore its properties. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy exhibited maximum absorption at 255 nm, while Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed synthesis by identifying functional groups. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis indicated a nanocrystalline structure, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) imaging showed spherical SC-SeNPs with an average size of 32 ± 11 nm. Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy confirmed Selenium (Se) presence in the nanoparticles (NPs). The SC-SeNPs exhibited antibacterial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumoniae NTCC 13439, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 50 to 400 µg/ml and 100–800 µg/ml, respectively. Additionally, SC-SeNPs exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Mucor sp. ATCC 52912 and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, with MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranging from 3.125 to 25 µg/ml and 3.125–50 µg/ml, respectively, displaying bactericidal and fungicidal effects against pathogens. In cytotoxicity test, there was significant reduction (p˂0.05) in cell viability compared to the control group after the concentration of 250 µg/ml. It showed low toxic effect with IC₅₀ value of 295 µg/ml on Vero cell lines. The findings suggest SC-SeNPs’ potential as antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Graphical Abstract