Chitosan stabilized selenium nanoparticles

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for the human body, playing a vital role in various physiological activities. In the body, selenium is bound to selenocysteine, an amino acid used to synthesize several selenoproteins. Selenium is often the active site of these proteins, playing a crucial role in maintaining intracellular redox balance. Chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles (CS-SeNPs) are nanomaterials using the biopolymer chitosan (CS) as a stabilizer. Through electrostatic interactions, chitosan coats the surface of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), improving their dispersibility, stability, and biocompatibility. Se NPs themselves are characterized by low toxicity and high bioactivity, and the introduction of chitosan further enhances their functionality and application potential, making them widely recognized in biomedicine, food, and agriculture.