Influence of Selenium Biofortification of Soybeans on Speciation and Transformation during Seed Germination and Sprouts Quality

Abstract

Selenium (Se) biofortification during seed germination is important not only to meet nutritional demands but also to prevent Se-deficiency-related diseases by producing Se-enriched foods. In this study, we evaluated effects of Se biofortification of soybeans on the Se concentration, speciation, and species transformation as well as nutrients and bioactive compounds in sprouts during germination. Soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings were cultivated in the dark in an incubator with controlled temperature and water conditions and harvested at different time points after soaking in Se solutions (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/L). Five Se species and main nutrients in the sprouts were determined. The total Se content increased by 87.3 times, and a large portion of inorganic Se was transformed into organic Se during 24 h of germination, with 89.3% of the total Se was bound to soybean protein. Methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) were the dominant Se species, MeSeCys decreased during the germination, but SeMet had opposite trend. Se biofortification increased contents of total polyphenol and isoflavonoid compounds and amino acids (both total and essential), especially in low-concentration Se treatment. In conclusion, Se-enriched soybean sprouts have promising potential for Se supplementation and as functional foods.

Drying kinetics and quality dynamics of ultrasound-assisted dried selenium-enriched germinated black rice

“…An investigation into the effects of ultrasonic treatment on selenium bioavailability in wheat discovered that ultrasonic treatment significantly improved selenium bioavailability through promoting the release of bound selenium and altering it into more bioavailable forms [78] . Another investigation on the effects on selenium bioavailability in soybean sprouts discovered that selenium biofortification greatly enhanced total selenium content and bioavailability of selenium in the sprouts [79] .…”

Effect of illite pretreatment on germinated Brown rice with Special Reference to amino acids, antioxidants, texture, and mineral elements

“…Treatment with external elements may exert stress on a crop, which may result in oxidative stress, thereby disrupting its antioxidants, amino acid pathway, and protein composition. For example, treatment with high levels of Se has an inhibitory effect on amino acid synthesis in soybeans [ 46 ], and salinity exposure induces polymorphism in quinoa seeds [ 47 ].…”

The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach

“…This can be attributed to moderate or high Se application being too low to alter total protein levels. The Se dose is essential in influencing total protein concentration [ 77 ]. However, it was interesting to observe that the interaction between Se and S improved the protein synthesis of spinach.…”