Antibacterial activity of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos (L.) fruit extract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the acceptance of green synthesis as a viable method for producing nanoparticles as active materials that can inhibit bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. fruit extract on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae). The synthesized SeNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-visible (U-V), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Zeta Potential (ZP) measurements. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the tested bacteria were determined by the resazurin test, and the values were used as a basis to achieve the antibacterial activity test and detection of viability (live/dead cell percentage) using flow cytometry. In this study, the FESEM assay further shows that the Se NPs are precisely spherical and uniform in size (50 & PLUSMN; 1.23 nm) and distribution. The effectiveness of the SeNPs against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. diphtheria ranged from zero when the MIC value was large (0.5 mg/ml) to a significant effect when the MIC value was low (0.015625 mg/ml). The high percentage of bacterial death achieved by the synthesized SeNPs on S. aureus, C. diphtheria, and E. coli, was 44.6%, 29.49%, and 24.4% respectively. In conclusion, the synthesized SeNPs using V. arctostaphylos L. are desirable, safe, and environmentally friendly options that could be used as an efficient antibacterial agent to prevent bacterial infections.

Automated summary

Green synthesized selenium nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. fruit extract were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited spherical shape and uniform size. The results showed that the nanoparticles had a significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, making them a desirable option for preventing bacterial infections.