Anticariogenic Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Brassica oleracea

Selenium is a trace element in the human body present in various enzymes with antioxidant activities and several functional proteins. This study is aimed at synthesizing selenium nanoparticles using Brassica oleracea (broccoli) and characterizing and assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness against cariogenic microorganisms. UV-visible spectrum displayed a peak at 370 nm which confirms the formation of SeNPs. TEM images of synthesized selenium nanoparticles showed polydisperse nanoparticles, spherical. The size of the particles ranged from 10 to 25 nm, and the average particle size obtained was 15.2 +/- 1.9 nm. SEM images of nanoparticles were spherical and ranged in size from 10 to 28 nm. The SeNPs showed effective antimicrobial activity against cariogenic pathogens. The SeNPs synthesized with Brassica oleracea extract can be incorporated in toothpaste, gums, and mouthwashes that are cost-effective and biocompatible and used for the prevention of dental caries.