Selenium is a trace and necessary micronutrient for human, animal, and microbial health. Many researchers have recently been interested in selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) due to their biocompatibility, bioavailability, and low toxicity. As a result of their greater bioactivity, selenium nanoparticles are widely employed in a variety of biological applications. Physical, chemical, and biological approaches can all be used to synthesize selenium nanoparticles. Since it uses non-toxic solvents and operates at a suitable temperature, the biological technique is a preferable option. This review article addresses the processes implemented in the synthesis of SeNPs and highlights their medicinal uses, such as the treatment of fungi, bacteria, cancer, and wounds. Furthermore, we discuss the most recent findings on the potential of several biological materials for selenium nanoparticle production. The precursor, extract, process, time, temperature, and other synthesis criteria will be elaborated in conjunction with the product’s physical properties (size, shape, and stability). The synergies of SeNP synthesis via various methods aid future researchers in precisely synthesizing SeNPs and using them in desired applications.

Aims: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Artocarpus hirsutus mediated seed extract for nanoparticle synthesis. Background: Gastrointestinal bacteria are known for causing deadly infections in humans. They also possess multi-drug resistance and interfere with clinical treatments. Applied nanotechnology has been known to combat such infectious agents with little interference from their special attributes. Here we synthesize silver nanoparticles from Artocarpus hirsutus seed extract against two gastro-intestinal bacterial species: Enterobacter aerogenes and Listeria monocytogenes. Objective: To collect, dry, and process seeds of Artocarpus hirsutus for nanoparticle synthesis. To evaluate the morphological interaction of silver nanoparticles with bacteria. Methods: Artocarpus hirsutus seeds were collected and processed and further silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, UV, FTIR, and SEM. These nanoparticles were employed to study the antibacterial activity of nanoparticles against Enterobacter aerogenes and Listeria monocytogenes using well diffusion method. Further, morphological interaction of silver nanoparticles on bacteria was studied using SEM. Result: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Artocarpus hirsutus seed extract and characterization studies confirmed that silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape with 25-40 nm size. Antibacterial study exhibited better activity against Enterobacter aerogenes with a maximum zone of inhibition than on Listeria monocytogenes. SEM micrographs indicated that Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria were more susceptible to silver nanoparticles due to the absence of cell wall. Also, the size and charge of silver nanoparticles enable easy penetration of the bacterial cell wall. Conclusion: In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the seed extract of Artocarpus hirsutus for the first time exploiting the fact that Moraceae species have high phytonutrient content which aided in nanoparticle synthesis. This nanoparticle can be employed for large scale synthesis which when coupled with the pharmaceutical industry can be used to overcome the problems associated with conventional antibiotics to treat gastrointestinal bacteria.

Zingiberaceae species are widely in traditional medicine throughout the world. This study evaluates the potential biological applications of phyto-functionalised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesised using sprouted Zingiberaceae species. The AgNPs were characterised and found to be spherical in the size of 25 nm-30 nm. The experimental results indicated that AgNPs have notable bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Human colon cancer cells (HCT15) were used to perform the anticancer assay and cell viability at a concentration of 500 µg/mL ranged from 43.71% to 49.49%. Also sprouted C. amada AgNPs at a concentration of 200 μg/mL provided maximum inhibition of 65.40% and 68.78% for α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity respectively. Furthermore, the sprouted Z. officinale AgNPs at a concentration of 500 µg/mL displayed significant glucose uptake percentage (99.56%) under in vitro conditions. The results indicated that phyto-functionalised AgNPs from sprouted Z. officinale and C. amada possess antibacterial, anticancer and antidiabetic activity.