Abstract

Green’ methodologies have become the main route for producing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), as they do not involve toxic substances that can increase the reactivity of the synthesized nanoparticles and are practical and inexpensive. Extracts from plants, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, ascorbic acid, and polysaccharides are used to produce these nanoparticles. Plant extracts contain phytochemicals that act as reducing and stabilizing agents, while bacteria, fungi, and yeasts can synthesize SeNPs from metabolites secreted during their development or via intracellular mechanisms. Ascorbic acid is also an excellent agent for reducing precursor metal salts, and polysaccharides act as stabilizing agents for the synthesized nanoparticles. The SeNPs synthesized by these routes have desirable characteristics for clinical applications since they are safe, non-toxic, and stable, with high biocompatibility and bioavailability. In addition, they have antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-mosquito, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, as revealed by both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Keywords: Green synthesis, characterization, selenium nanoparticles, plant extract, bacteria, fungi, yeast, ascorbic acid.