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

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.