Biosynthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles from Turbinaria ornata: Nutritional Assessment, Antioxidant Properties, and Cytotoxic Potential

Background

Brown seaweeds like Turbinaria ornata (T. ornata) are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. While Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained attention for their biomedical applications, limited research exists on the green synthesis of SeNPs using T. ornata. The combined evaluation of its nutritional profile, antioxidant potential, and cytotoxicity remains underexplored.

Purpose

This study investigated the nutritional profile, biosynthesis of T. ornata mediated Selenium Nanoparticles (To-SeNPs), antioxidant potential, and cytotoxicity of T. ornata extract.

Materials and Methods

Nutritional profiling of T. ornata was performed using standard biochemical assays. To-SeNPs were synthesized using the aqueous extract of T. ornata and characterized via UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Antioxidant activities were evaluated through DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, FRAP, ABTS, and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity was assessed using an MTT assay on A549 lung cancer cells.

Results

Nutritional analysis revealed significant levels of carbohydrates (43.7%), ash (23.4%), moisture (83.62%), protein (5.4%), and lipids (1.9%). UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed SeNP formation with a peak at 300 nm. XRD analysis revealed 69.1% crystallinity, while FTIR identified potential capping agents. Biologically synthesized To-SeNPs demonstrated potent antioxidant activities across multiple assays. DPPH radical scavenging reached 88.33% at 50 μg/mL. Hydrogen peroxide scavenging showed 86.5% activity at the same concentration. FRAP, ABTS, and nitric oxide radical inhibition assays exhibited 86.22%, 86.33%, and 86.57% activities, respectively at 50 μg/mL. MTT assay on A549 cells revealed an IC₅₀ value of 54.73 μg/mL for To-SeNPs.

Conclusion

T. ornata possesses significant nutritional value, and its biosynthesised SeNPs exhibit potent antioxidant and anticancer properties, indicating their potential for therapeutic applications.