Green Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Whole Cell and Cell Lysate of Spirulina platensis: Characterizations and In Vitro Wound Healing Studies

Abstract

Selenium is vital for human health, largely due to its role as a cofactor in enzymes known for their antioxidant activities. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have advantages over organic and inorganic selenium forms, including better biocompatibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity. However, traditional chemical and physical methods of SeNP synthesis are environmentally and economically unsustainable due to hazardous waste production and high energy consumption. Green synthesis offers a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. This study explored the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using different preparations of Spirulina platensis—live cells, sonicate bath-produced disrupted cells, and ultrasound probe-prepared intracellular components, labeled WC-SeNP, UB30-SeNP, and UP-SeNP, respectively—with the aim of assessing the potential of these SeNPs for wound healing. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that WC-SeNP had the highest selenium content (30.82 ± 1.13%), significantly outperforming the other groups demonstrating the superior capability of whole cells in the synthesis of SeNPs compared to lysates. Selected SeNPs (WC-SeNPs) were characterized using size and zeta potential measurement, SEM imaging, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Biocompatibility was evaluated using an in vitro hemolysis test on rat RBCs. The results showed negligible hemolysis at lower concentrations (50 and 100 μg/mL) with no significant increase over time. An in vitro wound healing assay on human skin fibroblast cells (Hu02) demonstrated substantial wound closure at concentrations of 50 and 100 nM after 12 h, while no significant wound closure was observed at 200nM°. The results demonstrate that green synthesized SeNPs by whole cell of S. platensis are promising nanoparticles for wound healing applications.