Selenium Nanoparticles for Antioxidant Activity and Selenium Enrichment in Plants

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) exhibit great potential across a spectrum of applications, yet the development of effective methods for their large-scale preparation remains an emerging field. Herein, we propose an effective method to produce SeNPs using nontoxic bulk selenium powder. By dissolving selenium powder in ethylenediamine (EDA) to create a homogeneous Se–EDA solution, SeNPs can be easily formed by adding this solution to water. The obtained SeNPs exhibit small and uniform size, fine water dispersibility, low cytotoxicity, and also exceptional antioxidant activities. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive examination of the potential for using SeNPs in the cultivation of selenium-enriched bean sprouts. Our findings indicate that SeNPs exert a minimal effect on the growth of bean sprouts while substantially boosting the levels of seleno-amino acids within them. At a SeNP concentration of 20 mg/L, the concentration of seleno-amino acids in the bean sprouts can increase to as much as 0.182 μg/g. This study not only provides a viable approach for producing SeNPs, but also opens up an opportunity for the cultivation of selenium-rich foods that meet the requirements of human health.