Biosynthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activities assessment of fabricated selenium nanoparticles using Pelargonium zonale leaf extract

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

AbstractThe present study focuses on the biogenic synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) usingPelargonium zonaleleaf extract under microwave irradiation. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of the synthesis parameters, namely amounts of the leaf extract (0.5–2.5 ml) and amounts of the 10 mmsodium selenite solutions (15–65 ml), at constant microwave heating (4 min), on the concentration and particle size of the fabricated Se NPs, optimize the synthesis conditions and verify the generated models and the procedures. The obtained results indicated that Se NPs with preferable attributes of mean particle size (50 nm), zeta potential (−24.6 mV), absorbance [34.6% absorbance units (a.u.)] and broad absorption peak (319 nm) were formed at the optimum synthesis conditions including amounts of 1.48 ml and 15 mlPelargoniumleaf extract and sodium selenite solution, respectively. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized Se NPs againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureusindicated that the created NPs had higher antibacterial activities toward the Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the synthesized Se NPs indicated higher antifungal activities againstColletotrichum coccodesandPenicillium digitatum.