Acceleration and retrieval of selenium nanoparticles synthesized from Lactobacillus acidophilus

Abstract

Lactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ20079T was used in this study to effectuate selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) by transforming toxic soluble selenite oxyanions (SeO32-) into red insoluble elemental selenium (Se0). The strain was able to withstand, tolerate, and grow in the presence of high levels of selenite toxicity at concentrations ranging from 1 mM to 10 mM. Produced SeNPs were purified and subsequently characterized systematically using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques. The absorbance scan of UV–Vis showed a broad plasmon peak at 260 nm. The TEM microscopy showed spherical-shaped Se0 nanoparticles with a size ranging from 8 to 23 nm. XRD results revealed crystalline shape with a mean size of 13.23 nm. This research focuses on the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles from Lactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ20079T which has the potency to function as a natural manufactory.