Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Selenium Nanoparticles–Bacillus sp. MKUST-01 Exopolysaccharide (SeNPs–EPS) Conjugate for Biomedical Applications

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are exogenous microbial metabolites generated predominantly during the development of bacteria. They have several biological potentials, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer actions. Polysaccharide-coated nanoparticles have high biological activity and are used in treatments and diagnostics. In this research, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are synthesized and conjugated with bacterial (Bacillus sp. MKUST-01) exopolysaccharide (EPS). Initially, the creation of SeNPs conjugates was verified through UV–Vis spectral examination, which exhibited a prominent peak at 264 nm. Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further substantiated the existence of crystalline Se, as evidenced by a robust reflection at 29.78°. Another reflection observed at 23.76° indicated the presence of carbon originating from the EPS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of the EPS capped with SeNPs displayed characteristic peaks at 3425 cm(−1), 2926 cm(−1), 1639 cm(−1), and 1411 cm(−1), corresponding to the presence of O-H, C-H, C=O, and COO–groups. The SeNPs themselves were found to possess elongated rod-shaped structures with lengths ranging from 250 to 550 nm and a diameter of less than 70 nm, as confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. In contrast to the SeNPs, the SeNPs–EPS conjugates showed no hemolytic activity. The overall antioxidant activity of SeNPs–EPS conjugates outperformed 20% higher than SeNPs and EPS. Additionally, experimental observations involving gnotobiotic Artemia nauplii experiments were also recorded, such as the supplementation of EPS and SeNPs–EPS conjugates corresponding to enhanced growth and increased survival rates compared to Artemia nauplii fed with SeNPs and a microalgal diet.