Myco-Biosynthesis and Characterization of Selenium Nanoparticles Using Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes) with Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential.

Mushroom-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles is a field of growing interest due to its high yield, ease of handling, eco-friendliness, and the non-toxic nature of the process. Among these, selenium nanoparticles are gaining attention for their potential as therapeutic agents, owing to their diverse biological and clinical applications. This study aimed to synthesize Hericium erinaceus-derived selenium nanoparticles using an extracellular extract from the mushroom's fruiting body and various concentrations of sodium selenite. The successful biosynthesis was indicated by a visual color change in the reaction mixture from light yellow to orangish-red. The myco-synthesized nanoparticles were found to have shapes ranging from irregular to spherical, with an average particle size of 75 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed a mean hydrodynamic size of 186.10 nm, indicating the homogeneity and stability of the nanoparticle suspension. The formation of selenium nanoparticles was further confirmed by ultraviolet absorption peaks in the 290-295 nm range. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the functional groups involved in the biosynthesis and stabilization of the nanoparticles. In terms of biological activity, the myco-synthesized selenium nanoparticles demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against several human pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited significant antioxidant potential. These results highlight the potential of H. erinaceus as a sustainable source for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles, which could be developed as effective therapeutic agents.