Selenium Biofortification in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Sprouting: Effects on Se Yield and Nutritional Traits with Focus on Phenolic Acid Profile

Abstract

The contents of total Se and of inorganic and organic Se species, as well as the contents of proteins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, were measured in 10-day old sprouts of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) obtained with increasing levels (15, 45, 135, and 405 mg Se L) of sodium selenite and sodium selenate and with distilled water as control. Increasing Se levels increased organic and inorganic Se contents of sprouts, as well as the content of phenolic acids, especially in their soluble conjugated forms. Moderate levels of sodium selenite (i.e., not higher that 45 mg L) appeared the best compromise to obtain high Se and phenolic acid yields together with high proportion of organic Se while limiting residual Se in the germination substrate waste. Se biofortification of rice sprouts appears a feasible and efficient way to promote Se and phenolic acid intake in human diet, with well-known health benefits.

Selenium Biofortification Impacts the Nutritive Value, Polyphenolic Content, and Bioactive Constitution of Variable Microgreens Genotypes

“…The content of phenolic acids varied according to the genotype and the Se dose in a specific way. In coriander and tatsoi, our results are consistent with what was found by D'amato et al [49], which reported a rise in phenolic compounds in rice sprouts as the applied Se dose increased. Likewise, Se treatments in the range 0.25-0.50 mg L −1 (3.2-6.4 µM Se) were shown to increase the total phenol content in wheat microgreen extract [10].…”

“…The non-significant effect on yield observed in green and purple basil was in agreement with previous studies on Se-biofortified microgreens [9] and mature plants [26] of basil. On the other hand, the beneficial Se effect found on the yield of coriander and tatsoi was consistent with the growth-promoting response to low Se doses demonstrated in previous works on rice sprouts [49] and mature plants of Indian mustard [50], ryegrass [51], spinach [52], and lettuce [53]. It was demonstrated that Se at low concentrations can stimulate plant growth, enhance photosynthesis, and support the homeostasis of essential nutrients [54].…”

“…Indeed, Se applications enhance the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments in plants, triggering the repair of chloroplasts damaged by abiotic stress and ROS [55,74,75]. However, an opposite effect was found in rice sprouts by D'Amato et al [49], in which both selenite and selenate applications entailed a reduction in the total carotenoid content. This latter result was consistent with the decrease of β-carotene in basil and lutein in coriander that occurred in our experiment ( Figure 3A,B).…”

“…Se-biofortified plants react to the presence of this element by activating the phenylpropanoid pathway [79], which results in the production of phenolic compounds in order to improve ROS scavenging [80]. However, polyphenolic acids, as well as the total content of phenolic compounds, can increase or decrease depending on the Se treatment, plant growth stage, and plant species [16,49].…”

Production of selenium‐biofortified microgreens from selenium‐enriched seeds of basil

“…Experiments conducted on broccoli, radish, alfalfa and mung bean have shown that microgreens can be biofortified with iron and magnesium, whereas the biofortification of microgreens with Se has not yet been investigated. On the other hand, Se enrichment of sprouts has been studied in Oryza sativa Cicer aretinum , Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus and Allium cepa …”