Selenium Biofortification in Fragaria × ananassa: Implications on Strawberry Fruits Quality, Content of Bioactive Health Beneficial Compounds and Metabolomic Profile

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for humans, due to its antioxidant properties, whereas, to date, its essentiality to plants still remains to be demonstrated. Nevertheless, if added to the cultivation substrate, plants growth resulted enhanced. However, the concentration of Se in agricultural soils is very variable, ranging from 0.01 mg kg-1 up to 10 mg kg-1 in seleniferous areas. Therefore several studies have been performed aimed at bio-fortifying crops with Se and the approaches exploited were mainly based on the application of Se fertilizers. The aim of the present research was to assess the biofortification potential of Se in hydroponically grown strawberry fruits and its effects on qualitative parameters and nutraceutical compounds. The supplementation with Se did not negatively affect the growth and the yield of strawberries, and induced an accumulation of Se in fruits. Furthermore, the metabolomic analyses highlighted an increase in flavonoid and polyphenol compounds, which contributes to the organoleptic features and antioxidant capacity of fruits; in addition, an increase in the fruits sweetness also was detected in biofortified strawberries. In conclusion, based on our observations, strawberry plants seem a good target for Se biofortification, thus allowing the increase in the human intake of this essential micronutrient.

Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes involved in selenium accumulation in tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

“…Se concentration analysis implied that Se contents in both roots and shoots showed increased significantly with selenite treatment (p<0.01). Moreover, Se content in roots was much higher than that in shoots, which was consistent with the findings in other species ( Fig 1 ) [ 10 , 25 , 47 – 48 ]. This is probably because selenite can be easily transformed into the organic form in roots once absorbed by plants [ 49 ].…”

“…Plants can remove Se from natural or polluted high-Se areas and can improve Se nutrition for human as food sources [ 4 ]. On the past years several biofortification experiments on vegetables have been carried out and a large body of evidence concerning the effects of Se supplementation has been collected [ 5 – 10 ]. Tea, one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages in the world and a cash crop widely cultivated not only in Se-rich areas such as Enshi, Hubei province and Ziyang, Shanxi province but also in Se-deficient areas, contains many medicinal ingredients like tea polyphenols, caffeine and amino acids and can reduce fat, lose weight, lower blood sugar, improve immunity and so on [ 11 – 13 ].…”

Selenium biofortification in the 21st century: status and challenges for healthy human nutrition

“…In horticultural vegetables, Se fertilization is ascertained to augment the antioxidant activity, nitrogen and S assimilation, accumulation of pigments (carotenoids and anthocyanins), soluble phenols, and ascorbic acid (Dall'Acqua et al 2019;Hawrylak-Nowak et al 2008Mimmo et al 2017;Schiavon et al 2013Schiavon et al 2016Ríos et al 2010). Enhanced production of essential oils, hydroxycinnamic acids, total phenolics, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity has been recently reported by Skrypnik et al (2019) in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves, while increased accumulation of flavonoid compounds, especially naringenin chalcone and kaempferol, and several amino acids except proline, was observed in Se-biofortified tomato fruits and radish roots, respectively (Schiavon et al 2013(Schiavon et al 2016.…”

Plant Biostimulant Effects of Baker’s Yeast Vinasse and Selenium on Tomatoes through Foliar Fertilization

“…In plants and fungi its essentiality seems to be lost, most probably due to lower Se bioavailability in initial terrestrial habitats [3]. However, Se application on plants, as soil or foliar treatments, produces beneficial effects, such as growth promotion [4]; modulation of nutrient up-take and use [5,6]; increased resistance to biotic [7,8] and abiotic stress [9,10], including drought [11]; and enhanced accumulation of bioactive compounds [12][13][14].…”