Unveiling biological activities of biosynthesized starch/silver-selenium nanocomposite using Cladosporium cladosporioides CBS 174.62.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microbial cells capability to tolerate the effect of various antimicrobial classes represent a major worldwide health concern. The flexible and multi-components nanocomposites have enhanced physicochemical characters with several improved properties. Thus, different biological activities of biosynthesized starch/silver-selenium nanocomposite (St/Ag-Se NC) were assessed. METHODOLOGY: The St/Ag-Se NC was biosynthesized using Cladosporium cladosporioides CBS 174.62 (C. cladosporioides) strain. The shape and average particle size were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), respectively. On the other hand, the St/Ag-Se NC effect on two cancer cell lines and red blood cells (RBCs) was evaluated and its hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging effect was assessed. Moreover, its effects on various microbial species in both planktonic and biofilm growth forms were examined. RESULTS: The St/Ag-Se NC was successfully biosynthesized with oval and spherical shape and a mean particle diameter of 67.87 nm as confirmed by the HR-TEM analysis. St/Ag-Se NC showed promising anticancer activity toward human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines where IC50 were 21.37 and 19.98 µg/ml, respectively. Similarly, little effect on RBCs was observed with low nanocomposite concentration. As well, the highest nanocomposite H2O2 scavenging activity (42.84%) was recorded at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. Additionally, Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) ATCC 12,228 and Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC 10,231 were the highly affected bacterial and fungal strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 18.75 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the noticeable effect of St/Ag-Se NC on microbial biofilm was concentration dependent. A high biofilm suppression percentage, 87.5% and 68.05%, were recorded with S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) when exposed to 1 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: The biosynthesized St/Ag-Se NC showed excellent antioxidant activity, haemocompatibility, and anti-proliferative effect at low concentrations. Also, it exhibited promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities.

Antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic activities of nanoemulsions based on Achillea millefolium and Crocus sativus flower extracts as green promising agents for food preservatives.

BACKGROUND: Although the mechanism of action of nanoemulsion is still unclear, the modern use of nanoemulsions made from natural extracts as antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic agents represents a potential food preservation and a safety target. METHODS: Two natural nanoemulsion extracts of Crocus sativus (the saffron flower) and Achillea millefolium (the yarrow flower) were produced in the current study using a low-energy method that included carboxymethylcellulose and Arabic gum. The synthesized nanoemulsion was fully identified by different analytical methods. Detection of the volatile content was completed using GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant potential, and phenolic compounds content were analyzed in the extractions. The synthesized nanoemulsions were screened for their antimicrobial potential in addition to their anti-aflatoxigenic activity. RESULTS: The droplet size of Saffron flowers was finer (121.64 ± 2.18 nm) than yarrow flowers (151.21 ± 1.12 nm). The Zeta potential measurements of the yarrow flower (-16.31 ± 2.54 mV) and the saffron flower (-18.55 ± 2.31 mV) both showed high stability, along with low PDI values (0.34-0.41). The nanoemulsion of yarrow flower revealed 51 compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), with hexanal (16.25%), ß-Pinene (7.41%), ß-Myrcene (5.24%), D-Limonene (5.58%) and Caryophyllene (4.38%) being the most prevalent. Additionally, 31 compounds were detected in the saffron nanoemulsion, with D-limonene (4.89%), isophorone (12.29%), 4-oxy isophorone (8.19%), and safranal (44.84%) being the most abundant. Compared to the nanoemulsion of the yarrow flower, the saffron nanoemulsion had good antibacterial and antifungal activity. Saffron nanoemulsion inhibited total fungal growth by 69.64-71.90% in a simulated liquid medium and demonstrated the most significant decrease in aflatoxin production. Infected strawberry fruits coated with nanoemulsion extracts exhibited high antimicrobial activity in the form of saffron flower and yarrow flower extract nanoemulsions, which inhibited and/or controlled the growth of Aspergillus fungi. Due to this inhibition, the lag phase was noticeably prolonged, the cell load decreased, and the stability time increased. CONCLUSION: This study will contribute to expanding the theoretical research and utilization of nanoemulsions as green protective agents in agricultural and food industries for a promising protection from the invasion of some pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Gamma rays-assisted bacterial synthesis of bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles: powerful antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and photocatalytic activities.

BACKGROUND: Bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) has drawn a lot of attention especially during the last couple of decades. A bimetallic nanoparticle stands for a combination of two different metals that exhibit several new and improved physicochemical properties. Therefore, the green synthesis and design of bimetallic nanoparticles is a field worth exploring. METHODS: In this study, we present a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), selenium (Se) NPs, and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs using Gamma irradiation and utilizing a bacterial filtrate of Bacillus paramycoides. Different Techniques such as UV-Vis., XRD, DLS, SEM, EDX, and HR-TEM, were employed for identifying the synthesized NPs. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of both the Ag/Se monometallic and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were evaluated against some standard microbial strains including, Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC16404, Candida albicans ATCC10231, Alternaria alternate EUM108, Fusarium oxysporum EUM37, Escherichia coli ATCC11229, Bacillus cereus ATCC15442, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC13883, Bacillus subtilis ATCC15442, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC6538 as a model tested pathogenic microbes. The individual free radical scavenging potentials of the synthesized Ag NPs, Se NPs, and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in the presence of the synthesized Ag NPs, Se NPs, and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs was used to assess their photocatalytic behavior. RESULTS: According to the UV-Vis. spectrophotometer, the dose of 20.0 kGy that results in Ag NPs with the highest O.D. = 3.19 at 390 nm is the most effective dose. In a similar vein, the optimal dose for the synthesis of Se NPs was 15.0 kGy dose with O.D. = 1.74 at 460 nm. With a high O.D. of 2.79 at 395 nm, the most potent dose for the formation of bimetallic Ag-Se NPs is 15.0 kGy. The recorded MIC-values for Ag-Se NPs were 62.5 µg mL- 1, and the data clearly demonstrated that C. albicans was the organism that was most susceptible to the three types of NPs. The MIC value was 125 µg mL- 1 for both Ag NPs and Se NPs. In antibiofilm assay, 5 µg mL- 1 Ag-Se NPs inhibited C. albicans with a percentage of 90.88%, E. coli with a percentage of 90.70%, and S. aureus with a percentage of 90.62%. The synthesized NPs can be arranged as follows in decreasing order of antioxidant capacity as an antioxidant result: Ag-Se NPs > Se NPs > Ag NPs. The MB dye degradation in the presence of the synthesized Ag NPs, Se NPs, and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs was confirmed by the decrease in the measured absorbance (at 664 nm) after 20 min of exposure to sunlight. CONCLUSION: Our study provides insight towards the synthesis of bimetallic NPs through green methodologies, to develop synergistic combinatorial antimicrobials with possible applications in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by clinically and industrial relevant drug-resistant strains.

Promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Orobanche aegyptiaca extract-mediated bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles synthesis: Effect of UV-exposure, bacterial membrane leakage reaction mechanism, and kinetic study.

In this research, Orobanche aegyptiaca extract was utilized as an eco-friendly, and cost-effective green route for the construction of bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles (Ag-Se NPs). Bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were characterized by XRD, EDX, FTIR, HR-TEM, DLS, SEM/mapping and EDX studies. Antimicrobial, and antibiofilm potentials were tested against some selected pathogenic bacteria and unicellular fungi by ZOI, MIC, effect of UV exposure, and inhibition %. Reaction mechanism was assessed through membrane leakage assay and SEM imaging. HRTEM analysis confirmed the spherical nature and was ranged from 18.1 nm to 72.0 nm, and the avarage particle size is determined to be 30.58 nm. SEM imaging prove that bimetallic Ag-Se NPs presents as a bright particles, and both Ag and Se were distributed equally across O. aegyptiaca extract and Guar gum stabilizers. ZOI results showed that, bimetallic Ag-Se NPs have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (20.0 nm), E. coli (18.5 nm), P. aeruginosa (12.6 nm), and C. albicans (18.2 nm). In addition, bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were able to inhibit the biofilm formation for S. aureus by 79.48%, for E. coli by 78.79%, for P. aeruginosa by 77.50%, and for C. albicans by 73.73%. Bimetallic Ag-Se NPs are an excellent disinfectant once it had excited by UV light. It was observed that the quantity of cellular protein discharged from S. aureus is directly proportional to the concentration of bimetallic Ag-Se NPs and found to be 244.21 µg/mL after the treatment with 1 mg/mL, which proves the antibacterial characteristics, and explains the creation of holes in the cell membrane of S. aureus producing in the oozing out of the proteins from the S. aureus cytoplasm. Based on the promising properties, they showed superior antimicrobial potential at low concentration (to avoid toxicity) and continued-phase durability, they may use in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Ziziphus spina-christi extract-stabilized novel silver nanoparticle synthesis for combating Fusarium oxysporum-causing pepper wilt disease: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The novelty of the present study is studying the ability of aqueous Ziziphus spina-christi leaves' extract (ZSCE) to produce eco-friendly and cost-effective silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) against Fusarium wilt disease. Phytochemical screening of ZSCE by HPLC showed that they contain important antimicrobial substances such as Rutin, Naringin, Myricetin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Hesperidin, Syringeic, Eugenol, Pyrogallol, Gallic and Ferulic. Characterization methods reveal a stable Ag NPs with a crystalline structure, spherical in shape with average particle size about 11.25 nm. ZSCE and Ag NPs showed antifungal potential against F. oxysporum at different concentrations with MIC of Ag NPs as 0.125 mM. Ag NPs treatment was the most effective, as it gave the least disease severity (20.8%) and the highest protection rate (75%). The application of ZSCE or Ag NPs showed a clear recovery, and its effectiveness was not limited for improving growth and metabolic characteristics only, but also inducing substances responsible for defense against pathogens and activating plant immunity (such as increasing phenols and strong expression of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase as well as isozymes). Owing to beneficial properties such as antifungal activity, and the eco-friendly approach of cost and safety, they can be applied in agricultural field as novel therapeutic nutrients.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesis: Promising Antimicrobial Potential, Antioxidant Activity, Biocompatibility, and Hemocompatibility.

The green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) had been synthesized by pomegranate peel extract (PPE). The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the synthesized Se NPs, as well as their hemocompatibility, were investigated. Se NPs were characterized by UV-Vis., SEM, XRD, HR-TEM, DLS, EDX, FTIR, and mapping techniques. HR-TEM image represented the spheroidal forms with moderately monodispersed NPs with a mean diameter 14.5 nm. The SEM image of Se NPs, incorporated with PPE, exhibits uniform NP surfaces, and the appearance was clear. The antimicrobial results confirmed the potential of Se NPs to hinder the growth of some tested pathogenic microbes. Results revealed that Se NPs exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans where inhibition zones were 29, 16, 41, 22, and 54 mm, respectively. Likewise, it exhibited antifungal activity where the values of inhibition zones were 41, 40, 38, and 36 mm against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and A. niger, respectively. The antioxidant activities of Se NPs at concentrations 250-4000 µg/mL were greater than 90% in all cases. Se NP concentrations of 500 µg/mL or less are safe in usage according to hemocompatibility study. Se NPs had an IC50 of 113.73 µg/mL in a cytotoxicity experiment. Results revealed that Se NPs have promising anticancer activities against MCF7 and Mg63 cancerous cell line, where IC50 was 69.8 and 47.9 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, Se NPs were successfully biosynthesized using PPE for the first time; these Se NPs had promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities.

Ferric Oxide Colloid: Towards Green Nano-Fertilizer for Tomato Plant with Enhanced Vegetative Growth and Immune Response Against Fusarium Wilt Disease.

Global food crisis due to climate change, pandemic COVID-19 outbreak, and Russia-Ukraine conflict leads to catastrophic consequences; almost 10 percent of the world's population go to bed hungry daily. Narrative solution for green agriculture with high vegetation and crop yield is mandatory; novel nanomaterials can improve plant immunity and restrain plant diseases. Iron is fundamental nutrient element; it plays vital role in enzyme activity and RNA synthesis; furthermore it is involved in photosynthesis electron-transfer chains. This study reports on the facile synthesis of colloidal ferric oxide nanoparticles as novel nano-fertilizer to promote vegetation and to suppress Fusarium wilt disease in tomato plant. Disease index, protection percent, photosynthetic pigments, and metabolic indicators of resistance in plant as response to induction of systemic resistance (SR) were recorded. Results illustrated that Fe2O3 NPs had antifungal activity against F. oxysporum. Fe2O3 NPs (at 20 µg/mL) was the best treatment and reduced percent disease indexes by 15.62 and gave highly protection against disease by 82.15% relative to untreated infected plants. Fe2O3 NPs treatments in either (non-infected or infected) plants showed improvements in photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, and antioxidant enzymes activity. The beneficial effects of the synthesized Fe2O3 NPs were extended to increase not only photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes contents but also the activities of peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), enzymes of the healthy and infected tomato plants in comparison with control. For, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities it was found that, application of Fe2O3 NPs (10 µg/mL) on challenged plants offered the best treatments which increased the activities of POD by (34.4%) and PPO by (31.24%). On the other hand, application of Fe2O3 NPs (20 µg/mL) on challenged plants offered the best treatments which increased the activities of CAT by (30.9%), and SOD by (31.33%). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10904-022-02442-6.

The potential impact of Octopus cyanea extracts to improve eggplant resistance against Fusarium-wilt disease: in vivo and in vitro studies.

The novelty of the present research is conducting a new method in the systemic resistance of plant diseases by using distinct marine extracts. The ability of two octopus extracts to reduce the wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum was observed. The applied methods are soaked roots (SR) and foliar shoots (FS). The antioxidant enzyme activities, percent disease index (PDI), and growth parameters were measured. In vitro antifungal potential of the octopus extracts against F. oxysporum was examined. The obtained result shows that SR extracts reduced PDI. Additionally, all the tested treatments promoted the growth and photosynthetic pigments of the infected plants. SR (in ethanolic extracts) was the most prominent inducer which offered a high advancement in the total soluble protein contents. Also, SR (in methanolic extracts) was the most suitable inducer which provided a very necessary development not only in the total phenol but also in the peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities. GC-MS investigation of the octopus extracts exhibited that the compounds which possess antifungal activity were furoscrobiculin B and/or eugenol. They demonstrated a notable antifungal potential against F. oxysporum with a maximum activity of 38.5 and 12.7 mm ZOI after the treatment with the ethanolic and methanolic extract, respectively. FTIR results illustrated the functional group of the compound responsible for the antifungal activity. Additionally, an atomic absorption result reveals that there are traces of metals detected such as Pb, Ag, Cu, Zn, and Mg. The antifungal activity was decreased as the concentrations were reduced. Accordingly, the present extracts may be used as the vital agents in the agricultural field to restrain the plant pathogenic fungi, especially F. oxysporum from a proliferation.

Microbial acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's therapy: recent trends on extraction, detection, irradiation-assisted production improvement and nano-structured drug delivery.

Neurodegenerative disorders especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) are significantly threatening the public health. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are compounds of great interest which can be used as effective agents for the symptomatic treatment of AD. Although plants are considered the largest source for these types of inhibitors, the microbial production of AChE inhibitors represents an efficient, easily manipulated, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and alternative approach. This review highlights the recent advances on the microbial production of AChE inhibitors and summarizes all the previously reported successful studies on isolation, screening, extraction, and detecting methodologies of AChE inhibitors from the microbial fermentation, from the earliest trials to the most promising anti-AD drug, huperzine A (HupA). In addition, improvement strategies for maximizing the industrial production of AChE inhibitors by microbes will be discussed. Finally, the promising applications of nano-material-based drug delivery systems for natural AChE inhibitor (HupA) will also be summarized. KEY POINTS: • AChE inhibitors are potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease. • Microorganisms as alternate sources for prospective production of such inhibitors. • Research advances on extraction, detection, and strategies for production improvement. • Nanotechnology-based approaches for an effective drug delivery for Alzheimer's disease.

Gentamicin-Assisted Mycogenic Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized Under Gamma Irradiation for Robust Reluctance of Resistant Urinary Tract Infection-Causing Pathogens.

The purpose of this research is to compare and enhance the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potentials of the biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) produced by cost-effective and eco-friendly green methods. The synthesis of Se NPs is described in this manuscript by two different methods: a biogenic process using Penicillium chrysogenum filtrate and by utilizing gentamicin drug (CN) following the application of gamma irradiation. Se NPs were characterized by UV-Vis., HRTM, FTIR, XRD, DLS, SEM, and EDX mapping technique. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the synthesized Se NPs were investigated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and yeast causing severe diseases such as urinary tract infection (UTI). The biogenic Se NPs exhibited an absorption peak at 435.0 nm while Se NPs-CN showed an absorption peak at 350.0 nm which is related to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Data obtained from HRTEM, SEM/mapping, and XRD analysis confirmed the mono-dispersion and crystalline nature of the prepared samples with an average diameter of 33.84 nm and 22.37 nm for the mycogenic Se NPs and Se NPs-CN, respectively. The synthesized Se NPs-CN possesses an encouraging antimicrobial potential with respect to the biogenic Se NPs against all examined UTI-causing microbes. Remarkably, Se NPs-CN showed antimicrobial potential toward Candida albicans with a zone of Inhibition (ZOI) recorded at 26.0 mm, 23.0 mm ZOI for Escherichia coli and 20.0 mm ZOI against Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the incorporated Se NPs-CN displayed an enhanced percentage of biofilm inhibition of 88.67%, 87.93%, and 85.20% against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, respectively. Accordingly, the novelty of the present research involves the green synthesis of mono-dispersed Se NPs and combining the synergistic potential of CN with Se NPs for potential biomedical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic applications especially in the treatment of UTI. Graphical Abstract.

Factorial design-optimized and gamma irradiation-assisted fabrication of selenium nanoparticles by chitosan and Pleurotus ostreatus fermented fenugreek for a vigorous in vitro effect against carcinoma cells.

The novelty of the present work looks in the synthesis of aqueous dispersed selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) using gamma rays with the aid of various natural macromolecules such as citrus pectin (CP), sodium alginate (Alg), chitosan (CS) and aqueous extract of fermented fenugreek powder (AEFFP) using Pleurotus ostreatus for investigating their impact in vitro toward carcinoma cell. The synthesized Se NPs were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis., DLS, HRTEM, SEM, EDX and FTIR. Nucleation and growth mechanisms were also discussed. The factorial design was applied to examine the importance of multiple parameters on Se NPs production with a special focus on temperature and gamma rays influences. FTIR spectrum exhibited the existence of several functional groups in Se NPs-capping macromolecules. Results revealed that Se NPs' size was dramatically-influenced by the type of stabilizer, precursors concentration, pH and the absorbed gamma rays dose. The current research reported the promising antitumor application of Se NPs against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) and human Colon Adenocarcinoma (CACO) in vitro. The proliferation of EAC was significantly-hindered by Se NPs-CS (38.0 µg/ml) at 60 kGy (IC50 = 23.12%) and Se NPs-AEFFP (19.00 µg/ml) at 15 kGy (IC50 = 7.21%). Also, Se NPs control the generation of CACO cells, IC50 was recorded as 25.32% for Se NPs-CS (38.0 µg/ml) and 8.57% for Se NPs-AEFFP (19.00 µg/ml).

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and photocatalytic activities of metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

This study reports the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye (a class of dyestuffs that are resistant to biodegradation) under the influence of UV-light irradiation. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ferrite nanoparticles (FO NPs) were examined against some pathogenic bacteria isolated from the medical operating room surfaces. In the same context, metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition [MxCo1-xFe2O4 NPs; (M = Zn, Cu, Mn; x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75)] were synthesized by citrate sol-gel method. Also, the structures of the synthesized FO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and Williamson-Hall (WH) method was used to determine the crystallite size. The estimated specific surface area is found in the range from 37.99 to 107.05 m2/g, between the synthesized ferrites, Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 NPs have average pore radius 1.84 nm and the pore volume was 0.136 ml/g. SEM images revealed that, the synthesized FO NPs have an unique pores and uniformly distribution, while EDX spectra shows the elemental composition for the synthesized FO NPs. The elastic properties of FO NPs have been estimated using FTIR data, whereas (M - H) hysteresis loops revealed that, by replacing cobalt ions with Zn, Cu, and Mn ions the magnetic behaviour changed from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic. Results obtained from the photocatalysis indicated that Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (30.0 mg) were a promising photocatalyst achieving 96.0% removal of MB after 100 min of UV-light exposure in the alkaline solution. Antibacterial results showed that the most effective combination was Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (20.0 ppm) displaying activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus columbae, and Aerococcus viridians by 15.0, 13.0, and 12.0 mm ZOI, respectively. Additionally, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs were active as antibiofilm factors producing activity by 63.7, 57.9, and 45.5% towards S. aureus, A. viridians, and E. columbae, respectively. Accordingly, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 and Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs can be utilized in industrial, biological and medical applications.

Biomolecules-mediated synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Aspergillus oryzae fermented Lupin extract and gamma radiation for hindering the growth of some multidrug-resistant bacteria and pathogenic fungi.

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles by fermented plants using microbes is an eco-friendly and cost-effective process. In this study, we used the fungus Aspergillus orayzae for the fermentation process. The aqueous extract of fermented Lupin (AEFL) possesses the ability to reduce selenium ion in the presence of gamma rays evidenced by the color changes to red. Elemental composition, surface morphology, size determenation, and identity of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were verified by UV-Vis., TEM, DLS, XRD, EDX, SEM and FT-IR. Antimicrobial activity of SeNPs was tested towards multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, and some pathogenic fungi. TEM with DLS analysis confirmed the formation of sphere isotropic, poly-dispersed SeNPs with average particle size 55.0 nm. The nucleation and mechanism of SeNPs production was discussed. Our results revealed that, gamma ray (30.0 kGy) was played a significant role in SeNPs synthesis. The synthesized SeNPs were active towards Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (15.0 mm ZOI) and Staphylococcus aurus (16.6 mm ZOI). Additionally, SeNPs were inhibiting Candida albicans (15.3 mm ZOI) and mycotoxin producing Aspergillus flavus (29.6 mm ZOI). Depending on the unique characteristics, and the novelty in biosynthesis process of SeNPs, it must be candidates in biomedicine, prevent food spoilage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics as green antimicrobial agent.

Biogenic synthesis of copper nanoparticles by natural polysaccharides and Pleurotus ostreatus fermented fenugreek using gamma rays with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential towards some wound pathogens.

Mono-dispersed copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were constructed using cheap polysaccharides (citrus pectin, chitosan, and sodium alginate), and by appropriating aqueous fermented fenugreek powder (FFP) under the action of Pleurotus ostreatus (as reducing and preserving means), through the influence of gamma irradiation. The synthesized CuNPs are described by UV-Vis. spectroscopy TEM, DLS, XRD, and FT-IR. XRD study of the CuNPs confirmed the generation of metallic CuNPs. The nucleation and the production mechanism of CuNPs are moreover explained. TEM unveiled that, the ordinary diameter of CuNPs incorporated by various polysaccharides, and FFP taken in the range of 31.0 and 36.0 nm respectively. CuNPs size is influenced by many parameters such as the variety of stabilizer, pH within the organization and applied gamma dose. Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of CuNPs was performed against some selected wound pathogens. The results showed that, CuNPs were a strong antimicrobial agents against microbes caused burn skin infection such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans (16.0, 15.0, and 15.0 mm ZOI, respectively). Additionally, CuNPs have a strong antioxidant with 70% scavenging activity against DPPH. So, due to unique characteristics of CuNPs (cost-effective with continued-term stabilization and effective features), they can recover reasonable potential in biomedical, industrial, agricultural, cosmetics, dermal products and pharmaceutical purposes.