Summary
This narrative review examines selenium and selenium nanoparticles as biofortification strategies for enhancing nutritional content and productivity in edible crops and farm animals. The authors discuss the role of selenium in human selenoproteins, pathways for human selenium intake, and the potential of nano-selenium formulations to improve stress tolerance and product quality under adverse conditions. The review highlights that whilst selenium and nano-selenium show promise as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, further research is needed to characterise their safety profile and cytotoxic potential.
Regional applicability
Findings may be relevant to UK agricultural practice if soil selenium status is limiting, though UK soils are generally adequate in selenium; applicability depends on whether nano-selenium biofortification aligns with organic standards and food safety regulations, requiring clarification beyond this review's scope.
Key measures
Selenoprotein content; selenium uptake in plants; stress resilience and productivity markers in crops and livestock; potential cytotoxicity and adverse effects of selenium nanoparticles
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on selenium and selenium nanoparticles as biofortification agents for edible plants and farm animals, with emphasis on their potential to enhance productivity and stress resilience under stressful environmental conditions. The paper identifies antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties as mechanisms supporting plant and animal health.
Topic tags
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