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Article

Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Influence of Reaction Parameters on Physicochemical, Morphological, and Biological Properties

by
Tainá Pereira da Silva Oliveira
1,*,
Alan Kelbis Oliveira Lima
1,2,
Talita Pereira Gonçalves
1,
Isadora Florêncio
3,
Sônia Nair Báo
3,
Namuhell Oliveira da Silva
4,
Patrícia Albuquerque
4,
Ildinete Silva-Pereira
4 and
Luís Alexandre Muehlmann
1,5,*
1
Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Darcy Ribeiro University Campus, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
2
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasilia 70770-901, DF, Brazil
3
Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
4
Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Fungi, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
5
School of Health Sciences and Technologies, Campus Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, DF, Brazil
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Drugs Drug Candidates 2026, 5(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc5010022
Submission received: 26 January 2026 / Revised: 26 February 2026 / Accepted: 6 March 2026 / Published: 8 March 2026
(This article belongs to the Collection Bioinorganic Chemistry in Drug Discovery)
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Optimizing synthesis parameters is essential to ensure the quality and stability of nanostructures. This study aimed to optimize the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) by chemical reduction, using sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), ascorbic acid (AA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at different concentrations, volumes, and molar ratios. The effects of reduction time, purification steps, and variations in the concentration of the precursor and reducing agent, as well as in the volume of the stabilizer, on the characteristics of SeNPs were investigated to ensure their long-term stability, maintenance of their properties, and biological applicability. Methods: The SeNPs were analyzed by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and were also evaluated for antifungal activity against the SC5314 strain of Candida albicans. Results/Conclusions: Monodisperse SeNPs were obtained under high concentrations of Na2SeO3 and AA, short reduction time, higher volumes of PVA (2–4 mL), and purification at 24.300× g, presenting a spherical morphology, hydrodynamic diameter of 137.0–171.7 nm, dry diameter of 20–120 nm, polydispersity index of 0.049–0.306, Zeta potential of −7.79 to −19.6 mV, and stability for up to 180 days. In the absence or presence of 1 mL of PVA, the SeNPs were predominantly amorphous. Regarding biological activity, the SeNPs did not exhibit antifungal activity under the experimental conditions in the tested strain. Together, this study provides a comprehensive update on the synthesis of SeNPs under different conditions and their stability over time, contributing to the consolidation of knowledge in the field.
Keywords: chemical synthesis; ascorbic acid; polyvinyl alcohol; SeNPs; Candida albicans; biofilm chemical synthesis; ascorbic acid; polyvinyl alcohol; SeNPs; Candida albicans; biofilm

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MDPI and ACS Style

Oliveira, T.P.d.S.; Lima, A.K.O.; Gonçalves, T.P.; Florêncio, I.; Báo, S.N.; Silva, N.O.d.; Albuquerque, P.; Silva-Pereira, I.; Muehlmann, L.A. Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Influence of Reaction Parameters on Physicochemical, Morphological, and Biological Properties. Drugs Drug Candidates 2026, 5, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc5010022

AMA Style

Oliveira TPdS, Lima AKO, Gonçalves TP, Florêncio I, Báo SN, Silva NOd, Albuquerque P, Silva-Pereira I, Muehlmann LA. Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Influence of Reaction Parameters on Physicochemical, Morphological, and Biological Properties. Drugs and Drug Candidates. 2026; 5(1):22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc5010022

Chicago/Turabian Style

Oliveira, Tainá Pereira da Silva, Alan Kelbis Oliveira Lima, Talita Pereira Gonçalves, Isadora Florêncio, Sônia Nair Báo, Namuhell Oliveira da Silva, Patrícia Albuquerque, Ildinete Silva-Pereira, and Luís Alexandre Muehlmann. 2026. "Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Influence of Reaction Parameters on Physicochemical, Morphological, and Biological Properties" Drugs and Drug Candidates 5, no. 1: 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc5010022

APA Style

Oliveira, T. P. d. S., Lima, A. K. O., Gonçalves, T. P., Florêncio, I., Báo, S. N., Silva, N. O. d., Albuquerque, P., Silva-Pereira, I., & Muehlmann, L. A. (2026). Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Influence of Reaction Parameters on Physicochemical, Morphological, and Biological Properties. Drugs and Drug Candidates, 5(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ddc5010022

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