title: Inhibition of Candida albicans biofilm by pure selenium nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquids.
abstract: Selenoproteins play an important role in the human body by accomplishing essential biological functions like oxido-reductions, antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism and immune response; therefore, the possibility to synthesize selenium nanoparticles free of any contaminants is exciting for future nano-medical applications. This paper reports the first synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by femtosecond pulsed laser ablation in de-ionized water. Those pure nanoparticles have been successfully used to inhibit the formation of Candida albicans biofilms. Advanced electron microscopy images showed that selenium nanoparticles easily adhere on the biofilm, then penetrate into the pathogen, and consequently damage the cell structure by substituting with sulfur. 50% inhibition of Candida albicans biofilm was obtained at only 25 ppm. Finally, the two physical parameters proved to affect strongly the viability of Candida albicans are the crystallinity and particle size.
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA. Electronic address: gregory.guisbiers@utsa.edu.
authors: Grégory
authors: G
authors: Guisbiers
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA. Electronic address: humberto.laravillegas@utsa.edu.
authors: Humberto H
authors: HH
authors: Lara
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Ruben
authors: R
authors: Mendoza-Cruz
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Naranjo
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Brandy A
authors: BA
authors: Vincent
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Xomalin G
authors: XG
authors: Peralta
authors: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics and Astronomy, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Kelly L
authors: KL
authors: Nash
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012643:Selenium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D012643:Selenium
keywords: Femtosecond laser; Hospital-acquired infections; Laser-induced bubbles; Nosocomial diseases; Size effect; Structural phase transition