Background: Recent theranostic (therapeutic or diagnostic) applications of tellurium nanoparticles have attracted a great interest for development of different methods for synthesis of this valuable nanostructure, especially via biological resources. Objectives: In the present study, the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the tellurium nanorods (Te NRs) biosynthesized by a bacterial strain Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain Te were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial effect of Te NRs and potassium tellurite against different bacterial and fungal pathogens was assessed by microdilution method. Furthermore, the disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of the biogenic Te NRs and potassium tellurite against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, alone or in combination with various antibiotics. Also, the biogenic Te NRs were investigated for antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and reducing power assay. Results: Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of the purified Te NRs showed individual and rod-shaped nanostructure (~22 nm diameter by 185 nm in length). Based on the data obtained from both microdilution and disk diffusion method the K₂ TeO₃ exhibited a higher antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to the Te NRs. The measured IC₅₀ for the biogenic Te NRs (i.e. DPPH radical scavenging activity) was found to be 24.9 μg.mL^-1, while, K ₂ TeO₃ has represented only 17.6 ± 0.8 % DPPH radical scavenging effect at the concentration of 160 μg.mL^-1. The reducing power assay revealed a higher electron-donating activity for Te NRs compared to K₂TeO₃. Conclusions: Based on the data obtained from both microdilution and disk diffusion method the K₂TeO₃ exhibited a higher antimicrobial and antifungal activity than Te NRs. Te NRs didn't show the antibacterial effect against the tested bacterial strain: MRSA and showed an inhibitory effect and antibacterial activity of the effective antibiotics. However, more studies should be performed to explore the action mechanism of the produced biogenic Te NRs.

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