Selenium Biofortification: Strategies, Progress and Challenges

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals. Its necessity for plants is still under examination. Due to the contradictory nature of Se and its significance, it has received much interest in recent years. Se deficiency can be harmful to humans, yet almost a billion people are deficient. Its deficiency has been associated with cancers, impairment of organs, and a number of other ailments. The biofortification of plants and livestock is a guaranteed practice to increase human selenium consumption. Strategies such as foliar spraying, the direct application of Se in plants and Se feed, and injections in livestock have been employed. Se biofortification has been shown to have additional beneficial effects in plants and livestock. In plants, it has been reported to mitigate different types of stress and increase yield. In animal biofortification, Se has been shown to reduce the detrimental effects of ailments and promote healthy growth. Se biofortification, nevertheless, confronts a number of difficulties. For instance, the bulk of biofortified products must be prepared before consumption, lowering the Se concentration. The objective of this review is to convey the current understanding of the Se biofortification of plants and animals, as well as its difficulties, taking into account both the detrimental consequences of Se deficiency and benefits of Se biofortification.

Automated summary

Selenium is an essential trace element for humans and animals, and its necessity for plants is still being examined. Deficiency in selenium can be harmful to humans, yet a significant portion of the population is deficient. It has been associated with cancers, organ impairment, and other ailments. Selenium biofortification of plants and livestock has been shown to have additional beneficial effects, but it also faces challenges such as the preparation process reducing the selenium concentration. This review aims to provide an understanding of selenium biofortification in plants and animals, considering both the detrimental consequences of selenium deficiency and the benefits of selenium biofortification.