Interfacial stability and bioactive potential of sustainable peppermint oil-mediated fluorescent selenium nanoparticles
Abstract
Synthesizing nanoparticles through green processes is a well-recognized challenge. It is a low-cost approach to produce multifunctional nanomaterials by using plant-based extracts as natural reductants and stabilizers. In this work, selenium nanoparticles were synthesized in Mentha piperita L. peppermint 3% as the concentration of the precursor solution. It is an essential oil containing bioactive compounds such as menthol, menthone, and flavonoids. The functionalized colloid of oil after being loaded with selenium nanoparticles is believed to exhibit enhanced properties. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been employed to characterize the synthesized selenium nanoparticles. It was found that the selenium nanoparticles were uniformly distributed, spherical, and stable. Contact angle measurements showed that the selenium nanoparticles-loaded peppermint oil exhibited reduced hydrophobicity compared to pure oil, suggesting stronger interactions with polar surfaces. Interfacial interaction proposes that selenium nanoparticles preferentially migrate to the oil-water interface, reducing interfacial tension and stabilizing the colloidal system. This behavior contributes to the overall stability and uniformity of the oil/selenium nanoparticles conjugate. The present colloid displayed a significant enhancement in fluorescence. This confirms successful conjugation and enhanced optical performance, indicating their potential for bioimaging applications. Biological assessments demonstrated that the synthesized selenium nanoparticles and peppermint oil formulations exhibited significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Hence, introducing these nanoparticles to peppermint oil increased its antioxidant capacity. The engineered colloidal system yielded a stable, fluorescent, and biologically active oil that may contribute to potential applications in bioimaging, antimicrobial therapy, antioxidant formulations, and nanotheranostics.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Abdulbari, R. R., Alwan, W. M., Salman, R. H., Abdul Karem, L. K., El-Sayed, A. A., Khalil, A. M. Interfacial stability and bioactive potential of sustainable peppermint oil-mediated fluorescent selenium nanoparticles. Capillarity, 2026, 18(3): 83-95. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2026.03.01
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2026.03.01Keywords:
Peppermint oil, selenium nanoparticles, colloid, antibacterial activity, fluorescence, interfacial behaviorReferences
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