Zero-waste valorization of figs in fresh pasta: A sustainable approach to enhance product functionality and quality

Saussurea costus contains a variety of bioactive chemicals vital for biomedical use. The unique benefits of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) make them very desirable in various sectors. The emergence of green techniques employing ecological assets is a result of growing need for sustainable and environment-friendly nanomaterial synthesis. The aim of this investigation is to create green SeNPs by using root extract of S. costus and evaluate the therapeutic benefits of the generated SeNPs with those of S. costus extract. S. costus was processed with 90% ethanol, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The biosynthesized nanomaterials were examined. In all, 15 compounds were detected in the extract, where rutin, chlorogenic acid, and coumaric acid were the most common molecules determined. The produced SeNPs had a characteristic peak at 275 nm, with a mean size of 73.7±0.7 nm. There is a characteristic pattern for SeNPs that could be observed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. SeNPs were found to have better anti-Helicobacter pylori impact than S. costus extract. The produced nanocrystals had an inhibition diameter of 30.7±0.2 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 15.62±0.2 µg/mL. Also, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) testing showed that SeNPs had a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 9.42±0.1 µg/mL. Furthermore, the prepared nanoparticles had a promising anti-inflammatory impact with IC50 = 8.33±0.4 µg/mL. The biosynthesized nanoparticles had a better alpha glucosidase level and alpha amylase level than S. costus extract. SeNPs showed promising anticancer activity against human epithelial cell line Caco-2 (a cell line originally derived from colon carcinoma). This was confirmed by analyzing cell cycle changes using flow cytometry. Collectively, SeNPs prepared from S. costus had in vitro multi-therapeutic functions to be used in the future pharmaceutical applications.