Size Characterization of Selenium Nanoparticles Prepared from
Various Synthesis Conditions
Pornwilard M-M,a Wilaiwan Somchue,a Juwadee Shiowatanaa and Atitaya Siripinyanonda
aDepartment
of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University,
Rama VI Rd, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Introduction and Objective
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for animals and humans, plays important roles in
antioxidant defense systems, regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism, and cell growth. It is
known that the bioavailability and toxicity of Se depends on the chemical form. Several studies
have shown that organic selenium such as selenomethionine (selenium yeast) is more bioavailable
than inorganic sources of selenium such as selenate or selenite. However, selenomethionine
preparation is complicated because it involves the use of fermentation process of yeast. Therefore,
this work reports the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using various stabilizers.
Characterization of SeNPs with different techniques was also performed.
Methods
Selenium nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction of sodium selenite at room
temperature. Various stabilizers solution was mixed with reducing agent under magnetic stirring.
Sodium selenite solution was then added into the mixtures to initiate the reaction. The solutions
changed from colorless into red. The products were characterized by flow field-flow fractionation
(Fl-FFF) and TEM. Moreover, the SeNPs were studied for their bioaccessibility by continuous flow
dialysis system.
Results
The particle size of selenium nanoparticles varies depending upon the type of stabilizers. In
this study, albumin from chicken egg white (OVA) and two polysaccharides (pectin and alginate)
were selected as stabilizer because they have high nutritional value and generally recognized as
safe. From the result, the SeNPs with alginate stabilizer show the uniform size, however the
stability is very poor. The continuous flow dialysis system was performed for evaluation of the
bioaccessibility of selenium nanoparticles.
Conclusion
The SeNPs can be easily prepared. The results from Fl-FFF and TEM present the different
sizes of selenium nanoparticles with different stabilizers. The continuous flow dialysis system is a
suitable method for investigation the bioaccessibility of SeNPs.
Keywords: selenium, nanoparticles, Fl-FFF, continuous flow dialysis system, bioavailability
Selected References:
1. Wang, H.; Zhang, J.; Yu, H., Free Radical Bio. Med., 2007, 42, 1524-1533.
2. Peng, D.; Zhang, J.; Liu, Q.; Taylor, E. W., J. Inorg. Biochem., 2007, 101, 1457-1463.
Pornwilard M-M Ph.D. Student
b 1984 in Trang, Thailand
Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, Chemistry, B.Sc. 2007
Mahidol University, Thailand, Analytical Chemistry, M.Sc. 2010
Research field: analytical method development