A green chemistry approach to synthesize biocompatible selenium nanoparticles is proposed in this work, using hydrogen selenite (NaHSeO3) as selenium precursor and lactose as reducing agent. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by dynamic light Scattering, revealing a gaussian size distribution, the maximum percentage being in the range of 20-40 nm. Zeta potential measurement indicates a negative charge -38.2 mV, the stability of selenium colloidal sol being also confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy. TEM and AFM revealed the homogeneous, spherical shape, confirming the size of nanoparticles in the range of 20-40 nm. Structural investigations of powder selenium nanoparticles by FTIR spectroscopy and XRD patterns emphasise the presence of stretching and bending vibrations of Se-O bonds, respectively the amorphous structure of the synthesized selenium. The proposed method is suitable for biological applications such drug release, functional food or nutritional supplements.

The aim of our study was to prepare and characterize chitosan-based nanoparticles encapsulating propolis extract by ionotropic gelation and glutaraldehyde cross-linking technique. Both spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FTIR) and microscopic techniques (AFM) were applied for structural characterization of nanoparticles, along with entrapment and release study of propolis extract. The physico-chemical properties and morphological features of the obtained nanoparticles demonstrated a good correlation between all the investigated methods. Moreover, the bioactive compounds were stable upon the encapsulation procedure. Propolis release from the polymeric matrix was monitored in both simulated gastric acid and simulated intestinal fluids, concluding that our proposed formulation is suitable for controlled release. These results may provide a novel design, with improved bioavailability, stability and nutritional value of propolis bioactive compounds during processing and storage, with possible applications in food and nutraceutical industries.

The main goal of this study was to synthesise and characterise different formulations based on alginate and alginate/chitosan microspheres containing nanoselenium (nano-Se) for controlled delivery applications. Nanosize elemental selenium was produced by using probiotic yogurt bacteria () in a fermentation procedure. The structural and morphological characterisation of the microspheres was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. FTIR and XRD pattern indicated that was an effective cross-linking of selenium nanoparticles within the polymeric matrix in both cases. The SEM images reveal that selenium nanoparticles are mainly exposed on the surface of alginate, in contrast to porous structure of alginate/chitosan/nano-Se, interconnected in a regular network. This architecture type has a considerable importance in the delivery process, as demonstrated by differential pulse voltammetry. Selenium release from both matrices is pH sensitive. Moreover, chitosan blended with alginate minimise the release of encapsulated selenium, in simulated gastric fluid, and prolong the duration of release in intestinal fluid. The overall effect is the enhancement of total percentage release concomitant with the longer duration of action. The authors' formulation based on alginate/chitosan is a convenient matrix to be used for selenium delivery in duodenum, caecum and colon.

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Improving the nutritional quality of plants has emerged from the fact that macro- and micro- nutrients are limited in various agricultural areas. The aim of our study was the biofortification of broccoli sprouts with selenium nanoparticles (NSePs) and evaluation of growth parameters, assimilator pigments content, total phenols, glucosinolates content along with antioxidant capacity, in order to boost value added output, such as improved nutrition and food functionality. NSePs were prepared by reduction of NaHSeO3 using glucose as reducing agent, and characterized from structural and morphological point of view. The growth of broccoli seedlings was dependent on NSePs concentration. The treatment with 10 and 50 ppm NSePs caused a slight increase in total biomass, by contrast with 100 ppm treatment. Chlorophyll content, total carotenoid and total phenols content was not affected by the treatment of broccoli sprouts with different concentrations of NSePs. Instead, the content of individual glucosinolates varied between the samples, depending on the levels of NSePs. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained for 100 ppm NSePs concentration. The effective uptake of NSePs was further demonstrated by FTIR spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Microscopy. NSePs did not induce any toxicity on broccoli sprouts. Moreover, broccoli supply with NSePs may target higher nutritional impact and health benefits.   ********* In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue. *********

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Natural polymers are biodegradable and biocompatible and can be used as carriers of pharmaceutical active compounds, with good results for the enhancement of their stability characteristics.Plant extracts of the Cariophyllaceae family are of great interest due to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties, and more recently, the ability to inhibit intestinal carboxylation and reduce obesity by complex mechanisms.The aim of our study was tocharacterize the Stellaria media aqueous extract from the point of view of total polyphenols (using Folin-Ciocalteu method) and antioxidant capacity, as well as the efficiency of inclusion of Stellaria extract in calcium chloride alginate beads by two different methods. In the same time, the size of alginate microcapsules was investigated along with the released efficiencyfrom the polymeric matrix in different biological fluids.Two different methods for encapsulation of Stellaria media extract were developed in this work, using calcium alginate beads. Encapsulating efficiency shows a better approach within the method in which the extract was in situ encapsulated in �pearls�-shaped beads.

Since cadmium is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems for humans, it is necessary to find bioremediation solutions to reduce its harmful effects. The main goal of our work was to develop a functional food based on elemental selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) obtained by green synthesis using Lactobacillus casei and to validate their ability to annihilate the hepatic toxic effects induced by cadmium. The characterization of SeNPs was assessed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, DLS and TEM. In order to investigate the dose-dependent protective effects of SeNPs on Cd liver toxicity, mice were assigned to eight experimental groups and fed by gavage, with 5 mg/kg b.w. cadmium, respectively, with co-administration with SeNPs or lacto-SeNPs (LSeNPs) in 3 doses (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days. The protective effect was demonstrated by the restoration of blood hepatic markers (AST, ALT, GGT and total bilirubin) and antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of mice plasma by the FRAP assay, revealed the highest antioxidant capacity for the 0.2 mg/kg LSeNPs group. Histopathological analysis demonstrated the morphological alteration in the group that received only cadmium and was restored after the administration of SeNPs or LSeNPs, while the immunohistochemical analysis of the bcl family revealed anti-apoptotic effects; the Q-PCR analysis showed an upregulation of hepatic inflammatory markers for the group exposed to Cd and a decreased value for the groups receiving oral SeNPs/ LSeNPs in a dose-dependent manner. The best protective effects were obtained for LSeNPs. A functional food that includes both probiotic bacteria and elemental SeNPs could be successfully used to annihilate Cd-induced liver toxicity, and to improve both nutritional values and health benefits.