Quantitative determination of selenium in the most common food items sold in Egypt

Abstract

Particular interest in selenium (Se) was generated as a result of clinical studies showing that balanced Se dietary system is very important for many physiological processes. There is no recent information available on the Se content in Egyptian foods. The present study was conducted to measure Se content in different food groups. A cross-sectional study was designed; a total of 87 food items were randomly purchased from the main markets and hypermarkets in Alexandria governorate, then digested by wet ashing procedure and finally analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest mean Se value was obtained in protein-rich food followed by nuts and sweetened products (6.8, 6.2, and 5.89 μg/g respectively) shrimps had the highest value among all studied samples (6.8 μg/g), while the lowest one was in soft cheese (0.0036 μg/g). Selenium content in food groups is strongly correlated with food matrix and composition of food items, soil composition, and fortification process.

Serum level of Selenium, Zinc, and Vitamin C and their relation to the clinical spectrum of leprosy

“…Unfortunately, in many countries all over the world, human food ingredients do not provide sufficient selenium. In addition, the data concerning selenium content in food composition tables is often poor and depends on whether analysis is up to date and to what extent natural variability in selenium content is considered [33]. Concerning Egypt, few data are available concerning selenium content in common food types consumed by Egyptians; for instance, in the study by Hussein et al [34] and Moatkhef et al [33], some food types were rich in selenium, while others were deficient even though this cannot explain selenium deficiency among Egyptians without estimation of dietary reference intake [34].…”

Selenium in the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viruses

“…A particularly high content of this element is noted in high-protein products. High levels of this element can be found in beef (1.8 µg/g) [ 53 ], and leading amount are contained in the kidneys (about 1.45 µg/g) [ 39 ], seafood (mussels, lobsters, oysters, shrimps), and fish [ 54 ]. The concentration of selenium in cereals ranges from 0.01 to 0.55 μg/g fresh weight [ 55 ].…”

A Comprehensive Review on Selenium and Its Effects on Human Health and Distribution in Middle Eastern Countries

“…Se is not mentioned in the Egyptian food formulation table. Therefore, limited studies have been undertaken to evaluate Se in various food groups, to support a formal decision on Egyptians’ dietary Se intake [ 178 ]. Consumption of 8.3 mg/day among healthy children in Egypt has been reported [ 179 ].…”

“…The mean Se level in rice samples was 0.229 mg/kg. Moreover, Se levels in Iranian rice samples were significantly higher than in other countries [ 178 ] (0.020 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg in Italy and Korea, respectively) [ 182 ]. Extensive studies on Se content in different groups including adolescents, adults, and the elderly have been conducted in Iran [ 178 , 180 ].…”

“…Moreover, Se levels in Iranian rice samples were significantly higher than in other countries [ 178 ] (0.020 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg in Italy and Korea, respectively) [ 182 ]. Extensive studies on Se content in different groups including adolescents, adults, and the elderly have been conducted in Iran [ 178 , 180 ]. The intake in adults and children was found to be sufficient, whereas postmenopausal women had a significantly lower intake than the RDA, which is 55 μg/day [ 180 ].…”