Summary
This critical review examines selenium metabolism in plants, addressing its recognised role as a beneficial element despite selenium essentiality for plants remaining undemonstrated. The authors synthesise evidence on selenium uptake, metabolic transformation, and the dual antioxidant/pro-oxidant capacity of selenium, whilst identifying unresolved questions about metabolite functions and undiscovered selenium-containing compounds. The review posits that resolving these metabolic uncertainties may eventually support classification of selenium as essential for plants.
UK applicability
The review's molecular and biochemical focus has limited direct UK applicability to farming practice, though understanding selenium metabolism may inform future biofortification strategies and soil-plant-human selenium transfer pathways relevant to UK food production and nutrition policy.
Key measures
Selenium uptake mechanisms; selenium metabolism pathways; selenium-containing metabolites and proteins; selenium concentration thresholds (beneficial vs. toxic); antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities
Outcomes reported
This review synthesises current knowledge on selenium uptake mechanisms and metabolic pathways in plants, with emphasis on the functional roles of selenium-containing metabolites. The authors discuss how selenium acts as both antioxidant and pro-oxidant depending on concentration, and identify gaps in understanding of selenium essentiality for plants.
Topic tags
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