Antibacterial activity of tamarind fruit pulp mediated selenium nanoparticles isolated from wounds

Background: Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) are gaining importance in pharmaceutical industries. Se NPs exhibit low cytotoxicity compared to Selenium (Se) compounds and they are found to possess excellent anticancer and other therapeutic activities. Wound healing is one of the major concerns among health care practitioners and scientists. Poor wound healing not only causes trauma to the patient but increases the burden of financial resources and requirement for cost effective management within the healthcare system Aim: To do an In vitro study on the antibacterial activity of tamarind fruit pulp mediated selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) against E. coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas sp. isolated from wounds. Materials and Methods: Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles was done using tamarind extract. Synthesised nanoparticles were confirmed by spectrophotometer. The synthesised nanoparticles were centrifuged. Three petri plates with Muller Hinton agar were prepared. Three plates were streaked with three bacterial species – one in each with E. coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas sp. Three wells were created. 100 μL each of tamarind mediated nanoparticle, tamarind mediated nanoparticle + antibiotic and antibiotic alone was added in each well and ZOI was measured after 24 hours. Results: Tamarind fruit pulp mediated SeNPs showed good antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity of Tamarind SeNPs was better with a zone of inhibition of 30 mm compared to amoxicillin against E. coli which was 22 mm. The nanoparticle combination showed synergistic activity with amoxicillin against Klebsiella sp. 31 mm as a zone of inhibition and comparatively less activity was shown against Pseudomonas sp. 11 mm Conclusion: Tamarind fruit pulp mediated selenium nanoparticles showed good inhibitory activity on E. coli, Klebsiella isolated from wounds. It showed synergistic activity with amoxicillin against Klebsiella. However, its activity against Pseudomonas was less. Therefore, Tamarind fruit pulp mediated selenium nanoparticles may be useful against infections caused by E. coli and Klebsiella.