Selenium and selenoproteins: their function and development of selenium‐rich foods

Abstract

Summary Selenium (Se) is a nutrient related to human physiological processes and an essential trace element that has attracted considerable attention because of its antioxidant, immune and other functions. Se deficiency can cause all sorts of diseases and dysfunctions in the human tissues, but excessive intake of Se can also cause poisoning and injury. With lower toxicity and higher utilisation than inorganic Se, organic Se is recommended in the framework of a balanced diet. Compared with pharmaceutical supplementation, dietary Se supplementation is more acceptable to the masses. Thus, Se‐rich foods and selenoproteins enriched with organic Se have become a hot spot for current research. In living organisms, Se often exists in the form of selenoproteins (more than 25); for example, selenocysteine and selenomethionine are the common chemical forms of Se amino acids. And most of Se's physiological functions depend on the participation of selenoproteins. This paper reviews the physiological processes of Se, the development and utilisation of Se‐enriched foods, and the research on the properties of selenoproteins. Some suggestions and prospects for developing Se‐rich food in the future are also provided.

Research Progress of Selenium-Enriched Foods

“…Selenium has also been found to improve male fertility by increasing sperm concentration, motility, and seminal antioxidant capacity [28]. Lastly, a selenium-sufficient diet can prevent or treat some diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, Keshan disease, Kashin-Beck disease, and liver diseases [29].…”

Green Nanopesticide: pH Response and Molybdenum Selenide Carrier with Photothermal Effect to Transport Prochloraz to Inhibit Sclerotinia Disease

“…19−22 In particular, appropriate amounts of molybdenum and selenium are helpful to increase the crop yield, improve the quality of agricultural products, enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants, and improve photosynthesis. 23,24 Therefore, MoSe 2 can be used as a new nanocarrier. Under proper acidic conditions, the protonation of weak acidic groups of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) shows a shrinking conformation, resulting in an increase of the membrane pore size.…”

“…In recent years, a two-dimensional layered transition-metal compound MX 2 (M = Mo; X = Se) has attracted extensive attention in the fields of photocatalysis, sensors, and biomedicine because of its good electrical and optical properties, large specific surface area, high loading capacity, and controllable size. − Most importantly, molybdenum selenide (MoSe 2 ) nanoparticles possess negligible photoluminescence, which ensures efficient photothermal conversion . According to previous reports, the research on MoSe 2 nanomaterials has mainly focused on electrochemical energy storage, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, and sensors, but the research and application in drug-loaded antibacterial have been limited. − In particular, appropriate amounts of molybdenum and selenium are helpful to increase the crop yield, improve the quality of agricultural products, enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants, and improve photosynthesis. , Therefore, MoSe 2 can be used as a new nanocarrier. Under proper acidic conditions, the protonation of weak acidic groups of poly­(acrylic acid) (PAA) shows a shrinking conformation, resulting in an increase of the membrane pore size.…”

Uptake and Transport of Selenium in a Soil–Tea Plant–Tea Infusion System: A Study of Typical Tea Plantations in a Selenium-Rich Area of China

“…The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has a great ability for selenium accumulation and is inherently well-suited for cropping in selenium-rich soils [17]. After its absorption by the tea plant, selenium interacts with nucleic acids, phenols, and pigments in plant tissues, resulting in the transformation of 80% of the inorganic selenium into organic selenium, which is readily absorbed by the human body [18,19]. Approximately 92% of the selenium in tea leaves is present in an organic form, mainly in selenium-containing proteins and amino acids, while approximately 8% is in an inorganic form [20].…”