Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, playing a critical role in maintaining health and well-being. It is a vital component of selenium proteins, which function as antioxidants, regulating immune responses, thyroid function, and cellular defences. Selenium deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including weakened immune systems, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. However, many regions of the world experience low Se availability in the soil, which leads to poor Se content in crops, particularly vegetables. Biofortification, a process of increasing the nutrient content of food crops through agronomic practices or genetic techniques, is emerging as a sustainable solution to address this deficiency. Selenium biofortification of vegetable crops offers a promising strategy to enhance human Se intake. This chapter explores the significance, mechanisms, and approaches to biofortifying vegetables with selenium, emphasizing its impact on crop growth, nutritional value, and human health.

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Potentials of Selenium in Biofortification of Vegetable Crops

  • Paramita Deb,
  • Kunal Adhikary,
  • Anupam Das,
  • Bipin Bihari,
  • Rashmi Kumar

摘要

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, playing a critical role in maintaining health and well-being. It is a vital component of selenium proteins, which function as antioxidants, regulating immune responses, thyroid function, and cellular defences. Selenium deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including weakened immune systems, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. However, many regions of the world experience low Se availability in the soil, which leads to poor Se content in crops, particularly vegetables. Biofortification, a process of increasing the nutrient content of food crops through agronomic practices or genetic techniques, is emerging as a sustainable solution to address this deficiency. Selenium biofortification of vegetable crops offers a promising strategy to enhance human Se intake. This chapter explores the significance, mechanisms, and approaches to biofortifying vegetables with selenium, emphasizing its impact on crop growth, nutritional value, and human health.