ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM ACTIVITIES OF BIOGENIC SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY AGAINST THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE CONCERN

Bacterial biofilms are microbial communities embedded in a highly hydrated exopolymer (EPS) matrix and can exist on different biotic and abiotic surfaces. The presence of these protective EPS matrix allows biofilms to survive in harsh environmental conditions and to resist to antiobiotic action, representing a challenge for the common antimicrobial therapy. Recently, a wide range of nanoparticles (i.e. silver, gold, iron oxide) have been intensively studied as antimicrobial agents including their use against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In the present study the physiochemical characteristics of biogenically produced Selenium Nanoparticles were evaluated along with their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.