Abstract

Selenium (Se) is not yet conclusively classified as an essential nutrient required for plant growth. However, much attention has been devoted to its important role in human health since Se enrichment affects the production of primary and secondary metabolites. A strong link between low levels of Se and cancer and cardiac diseases has been proven. Thus, Se enrichment of crops has been established as a pioneering strategy to enhance Se intake by animals and humans. It has been proven that Se biofortification through a foliar application or in the growth medium has increased Se levels in plant tissues without loss of productivity or qualitative properties. However, to achieve the desirable level of Se and promote human health, Se accumulation in plants should be quantified and balanced because Se enrichment may affect their nutrient balance. This timely review provides a broad overview of the metabolic changes induced in plants by Se enrichment.

Additionally, it highlights the contrasting effects of Se biofortification on the up-and-down-regulation of several secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, and their derivatives, as well as glucosinolates.

摘要

硒 (Se) 尚未最终被归类为植物生长所需的必需营养素。然而，由于硒富集会影响初级和次级代谢产物的产生，因此其在人类健康中的重要作用受到了广泛关注。低硒水平与癌症和心脏病之间的密切联系已得到证实。因此，作物富硒已成为提高动物和人类硒摄入量的开创性策略。事实证明，通过叶面喷施或在生长培养基中进行硒生物强化可以提高植物组织中的硒含量，而不会损失生产力或质量特性。然而，为了达到理想的硒水平并促进人类健康，应该量化和平衡植物中的硒积累，因为硒富集可能会影响它们的养分平衡。

此外，它还强调了硒生物强化对几种次级代谢物（包括酚类物质、类黄酮及其衍生物以及芥子油苷）上调和下调的对比影响。