Phytogenic Selenium Nanoparticles from Gracilaria vermiculophylla Byproduct: Synthesis and Characterization

Dzikri Wahyudi, Uun Yanuhar, Andi Kurniawan, Nico Rahman Caesar, Abdul Rahem Faqih, Heru Suryanto, Defa Rizqi Machfuda

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in antioxidant defense, immune regulation, and physiological processes in aquatic organisms; however, conventional inorganic Se supplementation has limited safety margins. This study developed phytogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and extract derived from Gracilaria vermiculophylla processing byproducts as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. The physicochemical properties of SeNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size analysis (PSA), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Biological toxicity was evaluated using the rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. Liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) profiling revealed putative phenolic, terpenoid, and steroid-like metabolites potentially involved in SeNP formation. The optimal synthesis condition occurred at 30 °C, producing brick-red colloids with a characteristic absorption peak at 320-330 nm. The synthesized SeNPs exhibited spherical morphology, an average particle size of approximately 50 nm, and a hexagonal selenium crystalline structure. Acute toxicity increased with exposure duration, reaching 22.22-57.78% mortality after 48 h with an LC₅₀ value of 3.76 mg L⁻¹. CLSM confirmed SeNP localization mainly in the digestive and internal regions of B. plicatilis. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of G. vermiculophylla-derived SeNPs as a sustainable selenium source for further aquaculture applications.

Keywords

References

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DOI: 10.14416/j.asep.2026.09.014

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