Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Trigonella foenum-graecum L extract and examination of their photocatalytic and cytotoxic properties

The research introduces a simple and green synthesizing method for selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) for the first time. It involves utilizing Trigonella foenum-graecum L seed extract as a stabilizer and reducing agent. The use of this plant in the study highlights the novelty of the current research. The optical, constructional, size, and morphological features of the results were checked and confirmed by the outcomes of DLS/Zeta potential, UV–Vis, XRD, FESEM/EDX, TEM, and FTIR techniques. The data of UV–Vis spectroscopy of Se-NPs exhibited a sharp peak at 265 nm and a bandgap at about 4.28 eV, whereas the FESEM/EDX and TEM images displayed their spherically shaped framework along the average size of around 97 nm and confirmed the correctness of the results. The photocatalytic application of synthesized nanoparticles was checked out in the direction of methylene blue pigment degradation under UVA light in water purification systems, and after 105 min the degradation percentage was observed at about 80%. We also investigated the cytotoxicity of Se-NPs towards the cancer Huh-7 cell line and attained the IC 50 value of 575 µg/mL. Graphical abstract