EVALUATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL AND TIME-KILL KINETICS ANALYSIS OF ASPALATHUS LINEARIS MEDIATED SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Abstract

Aim

To study the antibacterial activity and time-kill kinetics of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) synthesized using Aspalathus linearis against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus, exploring their potential as alternative antimicrobial agents.

Background

Selenium-derived nanomaterials are desirable in nanomedicine due to their anticancer effectiveness, antioxidant capabilities, minimal cytotoxicity, and chemotherapeutic qualities. The antimicrobial properties of Se NPs present a compelling case for their use as a novel therapeutic agent against a variety of pathogens, especially in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.

Methods

Green synthesis of Se NPs using A. lineariswas characterized by a UV visible spectrophotometer and the antibacterial activity of Se NPs was used against S. mutans and S. aureus using the agar well diffusion and time-kill kinetics method.

Result

The UV absorbance peak of A.linearis- Se nanoparticles observed at  320 nm. The inhibition zones increased with the concentration of Se NPs, reaching 26 mm for S. mutans and 27 mm for S. aureus at 100 μg/mL, compared to 20 mm in the control (Plant extract). The time-kill kinetics assay was measured at different time intervals 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours, showing a time and concentration-dependent reduction in bacterial growth. The bactericidal impact was greatest at the highest concentration, while the control showed no inhibition.

Conclusion

The green synthesis method enhances its applicability for treating bacterial infections in clinical backgrounds. This study validates the antibacterial activity of selenium nanoparticles synthesized using A. linearis, indicating their potential as antimicrobial agents that could address antibiotic resistance and support green synthesis in antimicrobial therapy.