Selenium biofortification

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient that occurs in trace amounts but numerous organic and inorganic forms. Applied in appropriate concentrations, it has numerous positive effects on the living organisms, while exposure to excessive concentrations of Se leads to toxicity and oxidative stress. The amount of Se that is ingested daily through food reflects the presence of the element in soil. Globally, the share of low Se areas is predominant, and consequently, many malnutrition patients also occur. A promising solution to the problem is the biofortification of crops, primarily wheat, one of the main cereals in human nutrition. Crop biofortification improves the quality of food products due to the increase in the concentration of bioavailable Se, and in low Se areas, the most common choice is agronomic biofortification.

Keywords

• wheat
• malnutrition
• antioxidant effect
• selenium
• biofortification