Bio-inspired silver selenide nano-chalcogens using aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis with biological activities

Abstract

For the first time, an aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis was used to synthesize bimetallic silver selenide chalcogenide nanostructures (Ag₂Se-NCs). The formation of NCs was confirmed and characterized by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and TEM imaging, XRD and EDX crystallography, zeta potential (ZP) and size distribution (DLS). The bioactivities of biosynthesized Ag₂Se-NCs, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials, were then examined. Bio-based Ag₂Se-NCs were successfully synthesized with mostly spherical shape in the size range of 20-40 nm. Additionally, the MIC and MBC values of Ag₂Se-NCs against β-lactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) were 3.12 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. The DPPH scavenging potential of Ag₂Se-NCs in terms of IC₅₀ was estimated to be 58.52. Green-synthesized Ag₂Se-NCs have been shown to have promising benefits and could be used for biomedical applications. Although the findings indicate promising bioactivity of Ag₂Se-NCs synthesized by M. officinalis extract (MO), more studies are required to clarify the comprehensive mechanistic biological activities.

Keywords: Melilotus officinalis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Biological activities; Silver selenide nano-chalcogens (Ag2Se-NCs).