Antimicrobial potential and alleviation of arsenic toxicity in human lymphocytes by bacterioruberin and selenium nanoparticles from Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625)

Arsenic contamination is a significant environmental concern indirectly affecting human population. Application of haloarchaea and their biomolecules such as bacterioruberin (BR) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) may play a role in alleviating arsenic toxicity. Considering this, the present study was directed to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of SeNPs and BR produced by Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) as well as the assessment of interaction of these biomolecules with arsenic to elucidate their possible role in ameliorating arsenic toxicity in human lymphocytes. In addition, study determined the growth behavior and cellular pigmentation pattern of strain GUSF-1 in the presence of arsenic. The results showed the dose-dependent activity of BR and SeNPs against pathogens and more than 50% DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as reduced DNA damage in human lymphocytes associated with arsenic. Interaction of BR and SeNPs with arsenic revealed reduction in intensity and shifts in peak demonstrating the possible interaction of biomolecules and was further confirmed through FTIR. Growth and pigment behavior by GUSF-1 indicated reduced growth and pigmentation in the presence of 5 µM and 10 µM arsenic in complex medium, however showed characteristic peaks with lower intensities corresponding to bacterioruberin. Conclusively, the present findings suggested that, GUSF-1 and its BR and SeNPs will enhance knowledge of the cellular mechanisms underlying the tolerance mechanism to arsenic with a potential for heavy metal bioremediation potential and biomedical applications. Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 is an haloarchaeon which tolerate As (III) during growth. GUSF-1 is a potent producer of bacterioruberin (BR) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). BR and SeNPs possess biological activities and ameliorate As (III) toxicity.