Variations in the accumulation, localization and rate of metabolization of selenium in mature Zea mays plants supplied with selenite or selenate. (1st September 2015) - Longchamp, Mélanie
Highlights: Selenate decrease grain biomass whereas selenite decrease number of grains per plant. Selenite treatment results in higher selenium accumulation in grains than selenate treatment. For both selenite and selenate treatments, selenium in grains is exclusively organic selenium compounds. For humans, selenite treatment increases bioavailable selenium in grains. Selenate is the best supplement to enrich Zea mays forage for bioavailable selenium. Abstract: Quantification of selenium bioavailability from foods is a key challenge following the discovery of the antioxidant role of this micronutrient in human health. This study presents the uptake, accumulation and rate of metabolization in mature Zea mays plants grown in hydroponic solution supplemented with selenate or selenite. Selenium content was lower in plants supplemented with selenate and accumulated mainly in the leaves compared with selenite-treated plants where the selenium was retained in the roots. Selenite-treated grains accumulated more selenium. Selenate was metabolized less than selenite in whole plants, but in grains selenium was present exclusively as organic selenium compounds. For humans, the bioavailability of organic selenium was evaluated at 90% compared with only 50% for inorganic forms. Our results show that the potential for selenium bioavailability is increased with selenite treatment.