Exploring the in Vitro Antifungal Effect of Selenite (SeIV) and Nano-Selenium (SeNPs) Produced by ABT Culture on Five Fungal Species

Zommara, Mohsen A.; Sakar, Sherouq; Belal, Elsayed B.; Salem, Metwaly M.; Algamal, Nabil

doi:10.21608/ejss.2025.392979.2203

Exploring the in Vitro Antifungal Effect of Selenite (SeIV) and Nano-Selenium (SeNPs) Produced by ABT Culture on Five Fungal Species

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Dairy Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt

² Agricultural Botany Department, Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt

³ Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt

⁴ Dairy Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt

10.21608/ejss.2025.392979.2203

Abstract

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) exhibit excellent antifungal abilities and are seen as a good substitute for controlling different kinds of fungi. The aim of the present study is to explore the antifungal effect of SeNPs produced by green syntheses using sodium selenite (Na2SeO3)(SeIV) in MRS medium using the eco-friendly lactic acid bacteria (LAB) mixed ABT culture of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum and S. thermophilus, incubated at 37C for 48 hr. The Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media was fortified with different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 ppm) of either Se(IV) or SeNPs and inoculated with 5 different species of fungi strains isolated from Ras cheese surface. The isolated fungi were Aspergillus niger (Asp. niger), Penicillium citrinum (P. citrinum), Penicillium roqueforti (P. roqueforti), Rhizopus arrhizus (R. arrhizus) and Trichoderma spp. The obtained results showed that the conversion of Se(IV) to SeNPs was complete at 200 ppm when incubated in the previously mentioned medium. The Se(IV) concentration had little impact on SeNPs diameter size. The smallest particle size ranged from (45-65 nm) however the largest one was (244-275 nm) in diameter. Both of Se(IV) and SeNPs had antifungal effect compared to control. However, SeNPs was found to have more antifungal activity against the isolated fungi compared to Se(IV). This effect was evident at the lowest used concentration (50 ppm). In conclusion, Se(IV) and SeNPs are promising antifungal agents with broad applications in agriculture and healthcare. Their multifaceted modes of action, especially through oxidative stress and membrane disruption, make them effective against a variety of fungi. SeNPs, in particular, offer a safer and more targeted alternative to conventional fungicides and are a valuable tool in integrated fungal management strategies.

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