Selenium biofortification and its effect on multi-element change in Auricularia auricular

Auricularia auricular could be useful as a candidate for human selenium supplementation. This study examined the effects of exogenous Se on the growth, yield, nutritive value, and mineral accumulation of A. auricular. Selenate or selenite (0.5-40.0 mu g g(-1)) had no effect on mycelium morphology or the yield of fruiting bodies. In some cases, they affected the accumulation of inter-elements and significantly decreased the concentrations of copper, iron, and chromium in the Se-enriched fruiting bodies compared to that with control treatments. The polysaccharide (116.5-131.6 mu g g(-1)) and protein (105.2-113.4 mu g g(-1)) content in Se-enriched fruiting bodies were not significantly different from those observed in the controls (polysaccharide, 114.1 mu g g(-1); protein, 105.6 mu g g(-1)). Thus, A. auricular can absorb inorganic Se from the substrate and convert it to organic Se compounds (selenocystine (>= 4.1%), selenomethionine (>= 91.9%), and Se-methylselenocysteine (>= 2.3%)).