Microdiffusion and fluoride-specific electrode determination of fluoride in foods

A simple and accurate method was developed for routine determination of fluoride in foods. Hydrogen fluoride is diffused 20 hr at 50 degrees C from fresh or freeze-dried samples (0.1 g dry wt) in polystyrene petri dishes containing 2 mL 40% HCIO4 and 0.3 g Ag2SO4, and is absorbed on the lids, previously spotted with 0.1 mL 0.5M NaOH. The absorbent layer is dissolved in 2 mL buffer solution, and the fluoride is measured potentiometrically. The method was verified by analysis of NBS Standard Reference Materials; recovery from 28 spiked infant foods (average = 99%, range = 75-135%); and comparison of results with colorimetry results for the same diffusates, after modification to handle 1 g samples. Relative standard deviations varied from 4 to 20% day to day. Detection limits were below 0.05 microgram/g dry weight.     

Selenium-enriched sprouts. A raw material for fortified cereal-based diets

The selenium supply in almost all European countries, including Austria and Germany, is below the recommended daily intake. In these countries, selenium fortification of foods and the use of selenium supplements are quite popular to compensate for low Se intake from diets. In general, wheat (Triticum aestivum) is known to be a good source for bioavailable selenium, and many studies have been performed to enrich selenium in wheat by selenium fertilization of the soil. In the present work, the process of sprouting was investigated as an alternative to enrich selenium in wheat. Sprouting was chosen because it additionally improves the nutritional value of seeds, for example, by a higher vitamin content, a better quality of protein, and some other parameters. Wheat, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds were germinated for 5 and 7 days in solutions containing selenate. The selenium sensitivity of the sprouts was tested by measuring visible germination levels and seedling development. Uptake rates were studied by determination of total selenium using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Metabolism of the absorbed selenium was analyzed by determination of selenium species in extracts of the sprouts using anion exchange HPLC coupled to ICP-MS. It was shown that sunflower sprouts were the most resistant and had the highest uptake rates (up to 900 mg/kg), but almost 100% of the selenium was extracted with water and found to be nonmetabolized selenate. Wheat and alfalfa were less resistant and enriched selenium up to concentrations of 100 and 150 mg of Se/kg of dry mass, respectively. The metabolism of the selenate was inversely related to the total uptake rates. At low Se enrichment (approximately 1-2 mg of Se/kg), <20% of the total selenium content within the sprouts remained as inorganic selenium, indicating a high metabolism rate. With increasing uptake the amount of selenate increased to approximately 40-50%. However, with the method used it is possible to produce sprouts containing certain amounts of selenium, which might provide substantial proportions of bioavailable selenium. In combination with the generally high nutritional value of sprouts, they might serve for production of improved cereal-based diets.     

Multielement concentrations in liver and kidney tissues from five species of Canadian slaughter animals

The present paper describes results of a national survey conducted between 1982 and 1989 to determine residues of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, selenium, and zinc in Canadian slaughter animals. Liver and kidney tissues from cattle, swine, poultry, horses, calves, and sheep were tested. Arsenic was found in most avian and porcine samples, and their respective means of 0.36 and 0.26 micrograms/g in liver were 7 to 12 times higher than mean concentrations found in the other species. Cadmium was found in the tissues of all species; however, levels were consistently highest in equine samples with mean values of 3.09 and 27.7 micrograms/g in liver and kidney, respectively. Copper levels greater than 150 micrograms/g were found predominantly in liver from calves and sheep, with values considerably lower in the remaining species. Mercury levels were low or not detected in all species except horses. Ninety % of equine kidneys and 54% of equine livers had mercury concentrations greater than 0.01 microgram/g, with mean values of 0.18 and 0.06 microgram/g, respectively. Lead was found in tissues of all species; however, values greater than 2 micrograms/g were found only in 2 kidneys from adult cattle and 1 kidney from a horse. Selenium, tested only in cattle, was found at mean concentrations of 0.28 microgram/g in liver, and 0.92 microgram/g in kidney. Relatively high zinc levels were found in livers of horses, pigs, and calves, with respective mean concentrations of 67.3, 65.6, and 70.2 micrograms/g.     

Tungsten permanent chemical modifier for fast estimation of Se contents in soil by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer was used as a modifier for the direct determination of Se in soil extracts by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (0.0050 mol L(-1)) plus ammonium hydrogencarbonate (1.0 mol L(-1)) extracted predominantly available inorganic selenate from soil. The formation of a large amount of carbonaceous residue inside the atomizer was avoided with a first pyrolysis step at 600 degrees C assisted by air during 30 s. For 20 microL of soil extracts delivered to the atomizer and calibration by matrix matching, an analytical curve (10.0-100 microgram of L(-1)) with good linear correlation (r = 0.999) between integrated absorbance and analyte concentration was established. The characteristic mass was approximately 63 pg of Se, and the lifetime of the tube was approximately 750 firings. The limit of detection was 1.6 microgram L(-1), and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <4% for a soil extract containing 50 microgram of L(-1). The accuracy of the determination of Se was checked for soil samples by means of addition/recovery tests. Recovery data of Se added to four enriched soil samples varied from 80 to 90% and indicated an accurate method.     

Interlaboratory study of blood selenium determinations

Fifty-one laboratories from 14 countries participated in a survey on the determination of selenium (Se) in 8 bovine blood samples with Se concentrations ranging from 0.2 mumol/L (0.016 microgram/mL) to 14 mumol/L (1.1 micrograms/mL). The methods used (and the percentage of participants using each method) were fluorometry (61), hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) (23), graphite-furnace AAS (6), gas chromatography (4), neutron activation analysis (4), and X-ray fluorometry (2). There was little difference in the mean Se results obtained by fluorometry or hydride-generation AAS (P greater than 0.05). Mean intralaboratory coefficients of variation (CVs) from known replicates ranged from 4 to 14% for all samples. Interlaboratory CVs were related to blood Se concentration and increased to 55% at Se levels below 0.4 mumol/L (0.032 microgram/mL). Laboratories that used quality control (QC) schemes had lower interlaboratory CVs than those that did not, but the advantage began to diminish at blood Se concentration below 0.4 mumol/L (0.032 microgram/mL). The high interlaboratory CVs, coupled with the false assurance from the low intralaboratory CVs and the ineffectiveness of the QC schemes at blood Se concentrations below 0.4 mumol/L (0.032 microgram/mL), are of concern in diagnosis of marginal Se deficiency in livestock where the concentrations of interest are in the range 0.15-0.5 mumol/L (0.012-0.039 microgram/mL).     

Selenium accumulation in beef: effect of dietary selenium and geographical area of animal origin

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient with multiple human health benefits; the single most important dietary source of Se is beef. The Se content of beef varies, and cattle fed a high selenium diet may have Se concentrations in beef that are well above average. Such beef is potentially a unique supplemental source of dietary Se. To examine factors affecting Se accumulation in beef, 16 steers (initial wt 374.4 +/- 33.7 kg) were taken from seleniferous or nonseleniferous areas and fed in a 2 x 2 factorial design with diets high or moderate in Se (11.9 or 0.62 mg Se/kg diet). Diets contained 50% alfalfa, 25% wheat, and 25% corn on a dry matter basis. All dietary Se was from agricultural products, and Se in the high Se diet was primarily from high Se wheat and alfalfa hay. A loin muscle biopsy was taken at the start of the trial to determine initial Se content of beef. Steers were slaughtered after 14 weeks of the trial, and edible carcass (round, sirloin, shoulder clod, and ribeye) and organ samples were collected. Diets did not affect growth or feed intake (P > 0.05), and Se toxicity signs were not observed. Different cuts of meat had similar Se concentrations, and the Se content of all cuts was increased by both high dietary Se and high Se background. Except for liver and kidney, Se in tissues was increased by seleniferous background (P < 0.02) and high dietary Se (P < 0.001). Kidney Se concentrations of animals fed the high Se diet were lowest in animals from seleniferous areas (P = 0.04), suggesting a possible adaptation to the high Se diet. These results demonstrate that cattle fed diets high in Se from agricultural products will accumulate substantial amounts of Se in the beef without developing signs of Se toxicity and that prior Se status regulates Se accumulation in some organs. They further demonstrate that management practices may be altered so as to make beef a significant source of dietary Se.     

Selenium bioavailability from naturally produced high-selenium peas and oats in selenium-deficient rats

This study determined the bioavailability of selenium (Se) from yellow peas and oats harvested from the high-Se soil of South Dakota, United States. The Se concentrations were 13.5 ± 0.2 and 2.5 ± 0.1 mg/kg (dry weight) for peas and oats, respectively. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were depleted of Se by feeding them a 30% Torula yeast-based diet (4.1 μg Se/kg) for 56 days, and then they were replenished with Se for an additional 50 days by feeding them the same diet supplemented with 20, 30, or 40 μg Se/kg from peas or oats, respectively. Selenium bioavailability was determined on the basis of the restoration of Se-dependent enzyme activities and tissue Se concentrations in Se-depleted rats, comparing those responses for yellow peas and oats to those for l-selenomethionine (SeMet; used as a reference) by using a slope-ratio method. Dietary supplementation with peas or oats resulted in linear or log-linear, dose-dependent increases in glutathione peroxidase activities in blood and liver and in thioredoxin reductase activity in liver. Supplementation with peas or oats resulted in linear or log-linear, dose-dependent increases in Se concentrations of plasma, liver, gastrocnemius muscle, and kidneys. The overall bioavailability was approximately 88% for Se from yellow peas and 92% from oats, compared to SeMet. It was concluded that Se from naturally produced high-Se yellow peas or oats is highly bioavailable in this model and that these high-Se foods may be a good dietary source of Se.     

香港土壤研究Ⅱ.土壤硒的含量、分布及其影响因素

基于香港地区51个剖面土壤和44个表层土壤中总硒量的分析,对香港土壤硒含量、分布及其影响因素进行研究.分析结果表明,香港土壤总硒量变幅在0.07～2.26 mg kg-1,平均含量为0.76 mg kg-1,在湿润铁铝土中的硒含量最高,平均为1.05 mg kg-1,含量最低的为旱耕人为土,平均为0.45 mg kg-1;在土壤剖面中硒主要分布在心土层和底土层.林地土壤硒含量(1.36 mg kg-1)较高, 农业土壤较低(0.36 mg kg-1).影响香港土壤硒含量及其分布的因素主要是成土母质.土壤pH值、有机质、粘粒和Fe、Al的含量也是影响土壤硒富集与分布的因素.     

Determination of arsenic and selenium in whole fish by continuous-flow hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A combined wet chemical and dry ash digestion and use of a continuous-flow hydride generator coupled with a flame-heated quartz cell enabled the simple, precise, and highly automated atomic absorption determination of arsenic and selenium in tissues of whole fish. Percent relative standard deviation averaged 4% for each element; method detection limits (micrograms/g dry wt) were about 0.06 for arsenic and 0.04 for selenium. Digestion of samples proceeded with little operator attention and without perchloric acid. Analysis for arsenic as As(V) simplified sample preparation but care had to be exercised to avoid interferences from high concentrations of selenium.     

Production of organically bound selenium yeast by continuous fermentation

This paper describes a protocol for incorporation of sodium selenite or sodium selenate into Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass by continuous fermentation in a medium with minimal sulfur and methionine concentrations. Selenium incorporation was followed by atomic absorption analysis and methylene blue reduction time (MBRT). Continuous fermentation at 0.2 h(-1) dilution rate and sodium selenite addition gradient up to 0.69 g/L of Na(2)SeO(3) yielded 1. 89 g/L of biomass with 1904 microg of selenium/g of dry biomass. However, MBRT was 0.1 min, which indicated that the majority of selenium was in the inorganic form. On the other hand, continuous fermentation at 0.2 h(-1) dilution rate and sodium selenate gradient up to 0.28 g/L of Na(2)SeO(4) yielded 0.76 g/L of dry biomass with 687 microg of selenium/g of dry biomass, and MBRT was 26 min, which indicated a high concentration of organically bound selenium. Overall, the results indicate a Se/S ratio of 3.9:1 and a dry biomass/Se ratio of 5.5:1 as optimal for continuous production of organically bound selenium.     

Application of isotope dilution analysis for the evaluation of extraction conditions in the determination of total selenium and selenomethionine in yeast-based nutritional supplements

Isotope dilution analysis (IDA) has been used to quantify total selenium, total solubilized selenium, and the selenomethionine (SeMet) amount in yeast and yeast-based nutritional supplements after acid microwave digestion and different enzymatic extraction procedures. For this purpose, both a (77)Se-enriched SeMet spike, previously synthesized and characterized in our laboratory, and a (77)Se(VI) spike were used. In the analysis of the nutritional supplements, the SeMet spike was added to the sample and extracted under different conditions, and the (78)Se/(77)Se and (80)Se/(77)Se isotope ratios were measured as peak area ratios after high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. The formation of SeH(+) and mass discrimination were corrected using a natural SeMet standard injected every three samples. Similarly, total solubilized selenium was measured in the extracts after enzymatic hydrolysis using the (77)Se-enriched SeMet as a spike by direct nebulization without a chromatographic separation. To establish a mass balance, total selenium was also determined by IDA-ICP-MS on the yeast tablets after microwave digestion using (77)Se(VI) as a spike. Results showed that all enzymatic procedures tested were able to solubilize total selenium quantitatively from the solid. However, the recovery for the species SeMet, the major selenium compound detected, was seriously affected by the enzymatic procedure employed and also by the matrix composition of the supplement evaluated. For the yeast sample, SeMet recovery increased from 68 to 76% by the combined use of driselase and protease. For the nutritional supplements, the two most effective procedures appeared to be protease and driselase/protease, with a SeMet recovery ranging from 49 to 63%, depending upon the supplement evaluated. In the case of in vitro gastrointestinal enzymolysis, the results obtained showed 26-37% SeMet recovery, while the rest of selenium was solubilized as other unknown compounds (probably Se-containing peptides).     

Continuous flow vapor generation for inductively coupled argon plasma spectrometric analysis. Part 1: Selenium

Total selenium is determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission using hydride vapor generation. A 1 g sample is wet ashed in a 16 x 150 mm 10 mL volumetric test tube on a programmed heating block with nitric, sulfuric, and perchloric acids at up to 310 degrees C. After treatment with hydrochloric acid, the selenium is reduced by sodium borohydride to hydrogen selenide is a simplified continuous flow manifold. A standard pneumatic nebulizer effects the gas-liquid separation of H2Se, which is quantified by ICP atomic emission at 196.090 nm. The instrument detection limit for the method has been determined to be 0.4 microgram/L. For a 10:1 dilution of a nominal 1 g sample, the detection limit is 4 micrograms/kg and the linear range is up to 4 mg/kg. The method has demonstrated statistical control for samples of biological and environmental interest and is especially well suited to analysis of small samples.     

Selenium species in selenium-enriched and drought-exposed potatoes

The aim of this work was to study selenium (Se) speciation in the potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Desiree, enriched in Se by foliar spraying with a water solution containing 10 mg of Se/L in the form of sodium selenate. Four combinations of treatments were used: well-watered plants with and without Se foliar spraying and drought-exposed plants with and without Se foliar spraying. Water-soluble Se compounds were extracted from potato tubers by water or enzymatic hydrolysis with the enzyme protease XIV, amylase, or a combination of protease XIV and amylase. Extraction was performed using incubation at a constant temperature and stirring (37 degrees C at 200 rpm) or by ultrasound-assisted extraction (300 W), using different extraction times. Separation of soluble Se species (SeCys2, SeMet, SeMeSeCys, selenite, and selenate) was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, and detection was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the concentration of selenate extracted was independent of the enzymatic extraction technique (approximately 98 ng/g for drought-exposed and 308 ng/g for well-watered potato tubers), whereas the extraction yield of SeMet changed with the protocol used (10-36%). Selenate and SeMet were the main soluble Se species (representing 51-68% of total Se) in potato tubers, regardless of the growth conditions.     

Validation of a novel estrogen receptor-based microtitration plate assay for the determination of phytoestrogens in soy-based foods.

A novel, nonisotopic microtitration plate assay based on the human estrogen receptor has been used to screen soy-based and soy-containing foods for their phytoestrogen content (measured as genistein equivalents). The validation of the assay for use with food extracts has been demonstrated by investigation of recoveries after acidic and enzymic hydrolysis, by investigation of matrix effects, and by comparison of results with HPLC analysis. Phytoestrogen levels in soy products analyzed ranged between 520 and 1872 microgram of genistein equiv/g of soy flour, 5-282 microgram/g of soy concentrates, 503-1292 microgram/g of soy-protein isolates, and 108-226 microgram/g of soy-based infant formulas. Samples of textured vegetable protein and bread containing soy and linseed gave values of 1114 and 68 microgram/g, respectively. Comparison of results for 12 samples analyzed both by the receptor assay and by HPLC showed good correlation (r(2) = 0.905). The assay, which is rapid and simple to perform, is suitable for screening phytoestrogen-containing foods in order to assess human exposure to these bioactive compounds. The assay sensitivity is 3.4 microgram/g, and 14 samples/plate can be analyzed in 4 h following hydrolysis.     

天然富硒土壤上三种蔬菜对硒的吸收与转化差异

【目的】研究对硒 (Se) 不同敏感性蔬菜对天然富硒土 (Se ≥ 0.4 mg/kg) 中硒的吸收和转化差异,为富硒土壤生产富硒蔬菜提供理论与技术指导。【方法】以大蒜、芥菜和菠菜三种蔬菜为试验材料,在全硒含量为0.29、0.58、0.98、2.07 mg/kg的四种土壤上进行了盆栽试验 (依次标记为Se_0.29、Se_0.58、Se_0.98、Se_2.07),并测定四种土壤中不同形态硒的含量。芥菜和菠菜于生长40 d、53 d、68 d和82 d后取样,测定蔬菜可食部分硒含量;于生长97 d后收获,分为根部和地上部。大蒜于生长42 d、68 d、82 d、120 d后取样,测定地上部硒含量;于生长165 d后收获,分为根部、鳞茎和叶。测定供试蔬菜总硒含量、有机硒含量,计算不同硒含量土壤上蔬菜对硒的吸收和转化系数。【结果】三种蔬菜中芥菜的生长对土壤硒最为敏感,芥菜可食部位生物量鲜重以Se_0.29处理最高,菠菜和大蒜均以Se_0.58处理最高,与Se_2.07处理均达显著差异。三种蔬菜地上部硒含量在整个生育期总体呈现增加的趋势,不同生育期均表现为大蒜 > 芥菜 > 菠菜。收获期三种蔬菜各部位的硒含量随着土壤硒含量 (0.29～2.07 mg/kg) 的增加而增加,表现为Se_2.07 > Se_0.98 > Se_0.58 > Se_0.29,Se_2.07处理的菠菜地上部和地下部硒含量分别是其Se_0.29处理的8.63倍和7.10倍,芥菜是12.25倍和23.29倍,Se_2.07处理大蒜鳞茎和叶部硒含量是Se_0.29处理的39.92倍和4.90倍;可食部位硒含量为大蒜 (7.25～289 μg/kg) > 芥菜 (1.22～14.9 μg/kg) > 菠菜 (0.73～6.30 μg/kg),均表现为地下部 > 地上部,Se_2.07处理菠菜根部硒含量是茎叶的4.80倍,芥菜是12.06倍,大蒜是8.22倍。在富硒土壤Se_0.98和Se_2.07处理条件下,大蒜和芥菜能从土壤中富集硒,吸收系数是菠菜的3.06～8.47倍和1.58～5.8倍,均达到了富硒蔬菜标准 (≥ 0.01 mg/kg)。三种蔬菜可食部位有机硒含量占总硒比例为73.5%～84.7%,并随土壤硒含量的增加而增加,其中Se_2.07与Se_0.29处理差异显著;蔬菜硒含量不但与土壤总硒含量相关,而且与有效态硒含量呈显著正相关。【结论】蔬菜种类和土壤硒含量均影响蔬菜硒的吸收、转化和富集。三种蔬菜对土壤硒的敏感性以芥菜最强。蔬菜硒含量和可食用部位有机硒的转化率均随着土壤硒含量的增加而增加,与土壤总硒含量和有效态硒含量呈显著正相关。富硒能力为大蒜 > 芥菜 > 菠菜,在天然富硒土壤上生长的大蒜和芥菜硒含量易达到富硒蔬菜标准,而菠菜未显示出富硒能力。因此,虽然土壤硒含量高影响了大蒜和芥菜的生长,但大蒜和芥菜具有较强的将硒转移到可食部位的能力,可作为富硒蔬菜生产。     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of selenium in biological materials, using 4-bromo- and 4-chloro 1,2-diaminobenzene as derivatizing reagents

A method is described for the gas-liquid chromatographic determination of traces of selenium in marine biological materials. The method is based on the reaction of Se(IV) with bromo- and chloro-substituted 1,2-diaminobenzenes. The benzoselenadiazoles so formed are sensitive to electron capture detection. The sample is digested in a nitric-perchloric acid mixture and selenium is reduced to the IV oxidation state. Different aliquots of the digest solution are reacted with either 4-bromo- or 4-chloro-1,2-diaminobenzene to quantitatively form the corresponding 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole. Recovery of added selenite to a fish meal sample was 95% for the bromo derivative and 101% for the chloro derivative. Different portions of a well mixed fish meal sample were analyzed in independent laboratories by the fluorometric method and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (hydride generation). The following mean values (microgram/g) were found: present method 1.89, fluorometric method 1.91, atomic absorption method 2.1. The lower limit of detection for the method described was 13 ng, using the bromo derivative, and 27 ng, using the chloro derivative.     

Simple automated wet digestion of animal tissues for determination of seven elements by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A simple, automated wet digestion procedure was developed for the quantitative determination by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, selenium, and zinc in animal tissue. A commercial digestion block system with automated temperature programming was used. Recoveries of all elements from spiked bovine liver and kidney samples exceed 95%. The analytical results obtained for samples of NBS Bovine Liver (No. 1577a) agree well with certified values. The procedure is safe and requires minimum analyst time.     

Comparison of In Vitro PBET and Phosphoric Acid Extraction as an Approach to Estimate Selenite and Selenate Bioaccessibility from Soil

Several approaches have been used to estimate the bioaccessibility of trace metals from soils. Here, we applied phosphoric acid extraction and the in vitro test physiologically based extraction (PBET) to soils containing selenium (Se) and compared their performance in estimating the bioaccessibility of Se. For this purpose, we used two soil samples and two Certified Reference Material soil samples with a range of Se concentrations. The total Se contents were measured in the samples and in the extracts by hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover, we also measured selenite and selenate in the soil extracts (from phosphoric acid and from the PBET) using the coupled techniques liquid chromatography–UV photooxidation–atomic fluorescence spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. From the results obtained in the present study, the PBET showed that the selenium bioaccessible fraction was mainly attributed to the gastrointestinal step. When comparing the results from PBET with those of the phosphoric acid extraction, similar values of Se (IV) and Se (VI) were obtained for both extraction systems. An estimation of the bioaccessibility percentage of Se is also reported.     

Speciation of selenium compounds from high selenium broccoli is affected by the extracting solution

The speciation of selenium compounds from high selenium broccoli (876 microg/g) depends on the extraction conditions. Twenty-seven extraction conditions were explored involving nine different buffering systems between pH 1 and pH 9. In nonbuffered extractions of broccoli, more than 40% of the spiked Se-methylselenocysteine was not recovered in the filtered solution. However, in buffered extractions, losses for Se-methylselenocysteine ranged from 10 to 20%. Mass balance indicated that approximately 30% of naturally occurring selenium in broccoli samples was volatilized and lost to the atmosphere when buffered extractions were made. Solid phase extractions indicated that the polarity of selenium compounds in solution was also dependent on the extracting solution. High-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used to show that selenium compounds extracted from broccoli reacted with the extracting solution. Compound identities were assigned by matching retention times to standards of selenite, selenate, methylseleninic acid, Se-methylselenocysteine, selenomethionine, and the selenonic acids of Se-methylselenocysteine and selenomethionine. Changes in speciation were analyte-, pH-, and buffer-dependent, but generally, a higher pH resulted in more highly oxidized selenium compounds. For valid conclusions to be drawn from the analytical data, the extraction conditions should match the conditions present in the matrix or be specified for a particular application such as a simulated gastrointestinal digestion.     

Adding selenium‐enriched plant tissue to soil causes the accumulation of selenium in alfalfa

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine selenium (Se) uptake by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in soils amended with Se‐laden mustard plant tissue. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with treatments consisting of 5, 10, 20, and 40 g of added dried Se‐containing mustard tissue to the soil, which resulted in soil Se concentrations of 1.0, 1.6, 3.0, and 5.7 mg Se/kg, respectively. Four clippings of alfalfa were made and the vegetative portions analyzed for dry weight and total Se. Plant dry weight yields and heights of plants were significantly reduced only at the highest Se treatment rate. Mean tissue Se concentrations increased from 1.8 mg Se/kg DM at the 5 g treatment rate to 6.0 mg Se/kg DM at the 40 g treatment rate. Based on this study, alfalfa can accumulate Se during establishment year when Se‐laden mustard plant tissue is added to the soil.