Impact of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles on the growth and development of amaranth microgreens

This study green-synthesizes selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Cassia auriculata leaf extract and characterizes them (UV–Vis peak at ~230 nm; DLS average ~337 nm, PdI ~0.321; FT‑IR evidence of phytochemical capping). Applied to Amaranthus cruentus microgreens, SeNPs enhanced chlorophyll content, carbohydrate and protein accumulation, and overall growth and stress resilience; effects were concentration‑dependent, with ~1,000 ppm identified as a toxicity threshold for the tested cultivar. Methodological comparisons suggest plant-extract–mediated SeNPs confer better biocompatibility and functional performance than chemically reduced particles, supporting eco‑friendly biofortification approaches for nutrient-dense microgreens.