Search Results (139)

The contamination of drinking water sources with selenium (Se) oxyanions, including selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)), contains serious health hazards with an oral intake exceeding 400 µg/day and therefore requires urgent attention. Various natural and anthropogenic sources are responsible for high Se concentrations in aquatic environments. In addition, the chemical behavior and speciation of selenium can vary noticeably depending on the origin of the source water. The Se(VI) oxyanion is more soluble and therefore more abundant in surface water. Se levels in contaminated waters often exceed 50 µg/L and may reach several hundred µg/L, well above drinking water limits set by the World Health Organization (40 µg/L) and Germany (10 µg/L), as well as typical industrial discharge limits (5–10 µg/L). Overall, Se is difficult to remove using conventionally available physical, chemical, and biological treatment technologies. The recent literature has therefore highlighted promising advancements in Se removal using emerging technologies. These include advanced physical separation methods such as membrane-based treatment systems and engineered nanomaterials for selective Se decontamination. Additionally, other integrated approaches incorporating photocatalysis coupled adsorption processes, and bio-electrochemical systems have also demonstrated high efficiency in redox transformation and capturing of Se from contaminated water bodies. These innovative strategies may offer enhanced selectivity, removal, and recovery potential for Se-containing species. Here, a current review outlines the sources, distribution, and chemical behavior of Se in natural waters, along with its toxicity and associated health risks. It also provides a broad and multi-perspective assessment of conventional as well as emerging physical, chemical, and biological approaches for Se removal and/or recovery with further prospects for integrated and sustainable strategies. Full article

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum), a necrotrophic phytopathogen, causes sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) in many crops like oilseed rape, resulting in severe economic losses. Developing eco-friendly compound fungicides has become a critical research priority. This study explored the combination of sodium selenite and cuminic acid to screen for the optimal mixing ratio and investigate its inhibitory effects and mechanisms against S. sclerotiorum. The results demonstrated that synergistic effects were observed with a 1:3 combination ratio of sodium selenite to cuminic acid. After treatment with the selenium compound agent, ultrastructural observations revealed that the hyphae of S. sclerotiorum became severely shriveled, deformed, and twisted. The agent significantly reduced oxalic acid production and the activities of polymethylgalacturonide (PMG) and carboxymethylcellulose enzymes (Cx), while increasing the exocytosis of nucleic acids and proteins from the mycelium. Foliar application of the selenium compound agent significantly reduced lesion areas in rapeseed. Combined with the results of transcriptome sequencing, this study suggests that the compound agent effectively inhibits the growth of S. sclerotiorum by disrupting its membrane system, reducing the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes, and suppressing protein synthesis, etc. This research provides a foundation for developing environmentally friendly and effective fungicides to control S. sclerotiorum. Full article

Objectives: Persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the cervix and the preinvasive lesions it causes are significant risk factors for cervical cancer. Therefore, a treatment strategy is necessary to facilitate the clearance of HPV and prevent the progression of preinvasive lesions without causing cervical tissue destruction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a vaginal adsorbent gel composed of a hydroxyethyl cellulose matrix formulation containing dispersed silicon dioxide, antioxidant sodium selenite, deflamin, and citric acid in patients with HPV infection. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study and involved 449 women infected with HPV. For the purposes of the study, the patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group (TG) comprised 207 patients who used the vaginal gel daily for a period of three months, while the control group (CG), consisting of 242 patients, received no treatment under an “active surveillance” protocol. The study’s endpoints encompassed the domains of cytology, histology, and HPV clearance. Results: The regression rate of smear pathologies was 24.8% in the control group and 29.0% in the group using the vaginal adsorbent gel. In the first year, the histological regression rate in cervical biopsies was 49.3% in the treatment group and 19.4% in the control group, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). Moreover, the clearance rate of HPV types was found to be significantly higher in the group using the vaginal adsorbent gel. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the outpatient treatment approach can effectively prevent the oncogenic progression of cervical dysplasia. This alternative method has been shown to be efficacious in preventing the progression of cervical dysplasia and promoting regression. Furthermore, the efficacy of this gel in eradicating HPV has been demonstrated within a 12-month period. Full article

Various metabolic modulators have been widely used in recent years to increase the accumulation of desired secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, although most studies to date have focused on in vitro systems. Although simpler and cheaper, their potential application in vivo is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of three chemically different elicitors (150 mg/L chitosan lactate—ChL; 10 mg/L selenium as selenite—Se; 100 mg/L salicylic acid—SA) applied to the soil substrate on some aspects of the secondary metabolism and physiological responses of Chelidonium majus L. Using HPLC-DAD, six isoquinoline alkaloids were identified and quantified in shoot extracts. LC-ESI-TOF-MS analysis confirmed the molecular identity of all target alkaloids, supporting the identification. The strongest stimulatory effect on the accumulation of protopine, berberine, and allocryptopine was observed with the Se and SA treatment, whereas ChL was less effective. In turn, the dominant alkaloids (coptisine and chelidonine) remained unaffected. There was also an increase in total phenolic compounds, but not in soluble flavonols. The elicitor treatments caused an increase in the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts obtained. Regardless of the metabolic modulator type, the strongest effect was generally observed on days 7 and 10 after application. No visual signs of toxicity and no effect on shoot biomass were found, although some elicitor-induced changes in the oxidative status (increased H₂O₂ accumulation and enhanced lipid peroxidation) and free proline levels in leaves were observed. We suggest that Se or SA can be applied to C. majus grown in a controlled pot culture to obtain high-quality raw material and extracts with increased contents of valuable specialized metabolites and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Full article

Selenium (Se), as a vital trace element, plays an important role in regulating the antioxidant systems of plants, strengthening photosynthetic capacity, and enhancing their stress resistance. Selenate and selenite are the dominant forms of Se available to plants in soils. This research takes highland barley as the research object, aiming to assess the impacts of plant growth, organic acid metabolite, and six transcription factor families in highland barley seedlings under varying concentrations of Na₂SeO₃. The study indicated that compared to the control group (CK), the plant height of highland barley seedlings under Se1 (0.02 g/kg Na₂SeO₃) treatment significantly increased by 66%. Under the Se2 (0.2 g/kg Na₂SeO₃) treatment, plant height significantly decreased by 28%. With Na₂SeO₃ concentration increased, the pigment content, O₂⁻ production rate, and soluble protein content in highland barley seedlings decreased, while the contents of soluble sugar, MDA, and H₂O₂ increased. Se1 treatment was found to be more beneficial for the growth and development of seedlings. The organic selenium in leaves and roots under Se2 treatment significantly increased by 1105-fold and 188-fold, respectively. The most effective migration capability from soil to leaf under Se1 or Se2 treatment was up to 6.15 or 6.56, respectively. Based on metabolomics, 30 differential metabolites of organic acids were screened from highland barley seedlings under Na₂SeO₃ treatment and showed positive correlationships with organic selenium, inorganic selenium, and total selenium in highland barley seedling leaves. Through transcriptome analysis, heatmap analysis on six major categories of transcription factors (bHLH, MYB, NAC, WRKY, GATA, and HSF) was performed. Under Se2 treatment, approximately two-thirds of the transcription factors showed high expressions. We further screened 26 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to Na₂SeO₃ concentration. Based on correlation analysis, there were six genes in the bHLH family, five in MYB, three in NAC, five in WRKY, and three in the GATA and HSF families that showed positive correlations with 30 differential organic acid metabolites. These results enhance our understanding of the relationship between the organic acid metabolites and transcription factor expression in highland barley seedlings under Na₂SeO₃ treatment. Full article

Soil selenium (Se) speciation characteristics and their influence on the Se enrichment pattern and physiological characteristics of wheat are poorly understood. Based on the rhizobag experiment, we systematically investigated rhizosphere dynamics, as well as biomass and antioxidant responses, in wheat at five exogenous Se levels (0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg kg⁻¹ Se in sodium selenite). The results showed that the rhizosphere pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil solution were higher than those in the non-rhizosphere soil solution and that the total and inorganic Se levels in the soil solution increased as the Se application concentration was increased. Meanwhile, in the rhizosphere soil, the concentrations of water-soluble Se (SOL-Se), exchangeable Se (EX-Se), and organically bound Se (OM-Se) significantly increased in response to increases in Se application rates. The ratio of the sum of the three forms of Se to total Se increased by 20.9–56.5%, 19.8–54.6%, and 17.9–53.0% at weeks 4, 6, and 8, respectively. The Se content in both the shoots and roots parts of wheat increased significantly as the Se application concentration was increased. The Se levels in the shoots and roots increased alongside wheat growth in low-level Se (≤2.5 mg kg⁻¹). However, when using high-concentration Se treatments (≥5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹), the trend in these plant parts was for the Se levels to initially increase and then decrease as the wheat grew, with the significant increases of 43-fold and 96-fold at week 6, reaching the highest levels. Under the 5 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment, the shoot bioaccumulation factor (BCFss) increased by 1.5-fold, 2.0-fold, and 1.6-fold at weeks 4, 6, and 8, respectively. The root bioaccumulation factor (BCFrs) increased with increasing Se concentration. The root-to-shoot translocation factor (TF) tends to increase and then decrease with application concentration increased; all factors had values of less than 1. The TF reached its maximum value at weeks 4 and 6 under 2.5 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment, while it was highest at week 8 under 5 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment. When using 5 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment, the shoot and root biomass of wheat increased by 17% and 22%, and 29% and 32%, respectively, at weeks 6 and 8, timepoints when the highest levels were reached. The application of 5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (32%, 68%, and 17%) and glutathione peroxidase (34%, 70%, and 43%) in wheat leaves at weeks 4, 6, and 8, while reducing the malondialdehyde content (37%, 46%, and 26%). In summary, applying 5 mg kg⁻¹ of Se to the soil is beneficial for wheat growth. The results of this study reveal the response of wheat to soil-applied Se in terms of wheat growth and physiological characteristics, rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil properties, and changes in the morphology of Se. Full article

Background: Heavy metal interactions within aquatic ecosystems significantly affect fish physiology. This study evaluated the protective role of selenium against cadmium-induced hematological, biochemical, and electrophoretic alterations in goldfish. Methods: A total of 120 goldfish individuals were divided into four groups: control, cadmium chloride-treated (2.8 mg/L), sodium selenite-treated (2 mg/L), and a combined cadmium and selenium-treated group. After 14 days, blood samples were collected and analyzed for hematological parameters, biochemical markers, and serum protein electrophoresis. Results: Cadmium exposure led to significant reductions in red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) (p < 0.001). Selenium supplementation alleviated these declines and improved overall hematological function. Additionally, cadmium exposure decreased albumin and total protein levels while elevating aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, indicating liver damage. Selenium co-treatment reduced cadmium accumulation and mitigated liver toxicity. Elevated urea and creatinine levels in cadmium-exposed fish were also significantly lowered in the combined treatment group (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, selenium supplementation enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms by increasing catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, effectively counteracting cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Conclusion: Sodium selenite at a dose of 2 mg/L effectively mitigated the toxic effects of cadmium chloride on hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress markers in goldfish, demonstrating its protective potential against heavy metal toxicity. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans, and the production of Se-enriched rice (Oryza sativa) is a key approach for Se supplementation. Nevertheless, the effects of different Se forms and concentrations on the metabolism and aboveground absorption pathways of rice seedlings are not yet well-understood. Therefore, we conducted a hydroponic experiment and used transcriptome analysis to study the absorption and transformation processes of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and selenomethionine (SeMet) in rice at the seedling stage. The aboveground (stem + leaf) Se concentration at the seedling stage was higher under the SeMet treatments, and low Se applications (<25 μM) significantly promoted rice growth. Selenocysteine (SeCys) and SeMet were the primary forms of Se in rice, accounting for 57–86.35% and 7.6–31.5%, respectively, while selenate [Se (VI)] significantly increased when Se levels exceeded 25 μM. In the transcriptome, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the following pathways: carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and glutathione metabolism. In the Na₂SeO₃ treatments, genes encoding phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM), triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), polyamine oxidase (PAO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were upregulated, and the expression levels of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) decreased with increasing Se levels. SeMet treatments upregulated genes encoding PFK, PK, glutamine synthetase (NADH-GOGAT), and L-ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and expression levels of DEGs increased with increasing Se levels. This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms of the uptake and metabolism of different Se forms in rice at the seedling stage. Full article

This study examined the effects of selenium (Se) fertilization, applied via foliar and rhizosphere methods, on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of ‘Muscat Hamburg’ grapes. Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) treatments were administered at three concentrations (50, 100, and 150 ppm) during critical phenological stages. The results showed that Se at 50 ppm effectively increased the chlorophyll content and enhanced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Se significantly elevated total soluble solid content and reduced titratable acidity, thereby increasing the TSS/TA ratio. Foliar fertilization with 50 ppm Se enhanced cluster size without affecting berry dimensions, whereas rhizosphere fertilization increased both with increasing Se concentrations, albeit with negative impacts on berry size at higher concentrations. Se increased flavonoid content in grape peels, with rhizosphere fertilization exerting more pronounced effects. Se—via rhizosphere fertilization at 100 and 150 ppm—significantly influenced VOCs derived from fatty acid and isoprene metabolic pathways. Mantel’s test confirmed that foliar fertilization significantly increased chlorophyll content and fluorescence indices, while rhizosphere fertilization had more marked effects on flavonoid content, berry and cluster size, and VOCs, particularly through fatty acid metabolism. These findings suggest that Se can enhance grape quality, but optimal concentrations and fertilization methods must be carefully determined to avoid adverse effects. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency remains a global concern. This study investigates the biofortification of alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. ProINTA Super Monarca GR9) via foliar Se application to enhance Se accumulation and transformation into bioavailable organic forms. A controlled environment experiment in a plant growth chamber and a one-season open-field trial (January 2023, Argentina) were conducted. Treatments included sodium selenate (Se(VI)), sodium selenite (Se(IV)), and a 1:1 mixture, applied at 45 and 90 g Se ha⁻¹, with and without the biostimulant BIOFORGE^®. Treated plants exhibited increased Se content, correlating with the applied doses. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed that most inorganic Se was transformed into organic Se forms, with Se(IV) treatments yielding the highest concentrations of organic Se species such as selenocysteine (SeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet). Open-field trials showed a complete conversion of Se, though total Se accumulation was lower than in controlled conditions. Se treatments did not affect forage quality or biomass production. The biostimulant slightly reduced Se uptake but did not compromise biofortification. These results highlight Se(IV) as the optimal treatment for alfalfa biofortification, presenting a sustainable strategy to enhance dietary Se intake through functional foods. Full article

Previous studies have shown that selenium (Se) can influence rice growth and yield. However, the Se effect on rice lodging remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different Se treatments on seedling growth and stem sheath hardness in fragrant rice. A hydroponic experiment was conducted using two fragrant rice varieties, Yuxiangyouzhan and Xiangyaxiangzhan, as experimental materials. Two forms of selenium fertilizers (amino acid-chelated selenium and sodium selenite) were used. There were five foliar spraying selenium fertilizer treatments (CK: no selenium fertilizer; T1: 4 μmol·L⁻¹ amino acid-chelated selenium; T2: 8 μmol·L⁻¹ amino acid-chelated selenium; T3: 4 μmol·L⁻¹ sodium selenite; and T4: 8 μmol·L⁻¹ sodium selenite), and the effects of the different selenium fertilizer treatments on seedling growth and stem sheath hardness in fragrant rice were studied. Significant Se treatment effects on root fresh weight, seedling dry weight, plant height, stem sheath length, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, stem sheath hardness, peroxidase activity in leaf and stem sheaths, and lignin content in the roots were detected. A significant Se treatment and variety interaction effect on the stem sheath hardness was observed. The different forms/levels of selenium fertilizer affected the seedling growth and the stem sheath hardness differed. The Se treatments improved seedling growth and significantly affected the dry weight, chlorophyll content, stem sheath hardness, and peroxidase activity in leaf and stem sheaths. Compared with the CK treatment, the Se treatments increased the total dry weight of seedlings in Xiangyaxiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan by the ranges of 25.43–52.77% and 18.97–30.09%, respectively. The T2–T4 treatments increased the stem sheath hardness values in Xiangyaxiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan by the ranges of 21.6–54.7% and 38.3–146.6%, respectively, as compared to the CK treatment. The Se treatments had a promoting effect on physiological indexes such as stem sheath length, lignin content in the stem sheath, and dry matter accumulation in different plant tissues, thereby increasing the total dry weight. The Se treatment had an inhibitory effect on chlorophyll b content and total chlorophyll content, whilst it increased the chlorophyll a content and chlorophyll a/b ratio, which in turn affected the photosynthesis of rice. Therefore, appropriate Se treatments (the application of 8 μmol·L⁻¹ amino acid-chelated selenium, 4 μmol·L⁻¹ sodium selenite, and 8 μmol·L⁻¹ sodium selenite) could improve seedling growth and stem sheath hardness, which was related to the parameter changes, such as the dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, and peroxidase activity. These findings suggest that different Se fertilizers can positively regulate rice resistance to lodging and growth. This study can provide theoretical support for the application of selenium fertilizer. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health, and dietary Se intake is an effective supplement. Rich in nutrients and functional components with potential for Se enrichment, Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) is a Se-biofortified cereal. To determine the optimal Se treatment concentration and fully understand its effects on Tartary buckwheat, sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) in different concentrations was sprayed onto leaves of Tartary buckwheat at the initial flowering stage. Agronomic and yield-related traits and Se enrichment were analyzed between CK and treatments. The results showed that Na₂SeO₃ concentrations of 3.0 and 6.0 mg/L significantly increased the contents of Se and starch in the grains, the 1000-grain weight, the number of grains per plant, and the yield. The 6.0 mg/L treatment had the best effect. Transcriptome and weighted gene co-expression network analyses showed that selenite promoted chlorophyll synthesis and photoelectron transport by upregulating chlorophyll synthase (CHLG) and protein CURVATURE THYLAKOID 1B (CURT1B) levels, improving photosynthesis, increasing sucrose synthesis and transport in leaves and starch synthesis and accumulation in grains, and promoting grain-filling and yield. These changes were regulated by genes related to photosynthesis, sucrose, and starch metabolism-related genes, including CAB3C, HPR3, SUS5, BAM9, SS3, SWEET1, and SWEET12. Selenite absorption in Tartary buckwheat was regulated by aquaporin genes NIP1-1 and PIP1-5. Selenite transport was regulated by the inorganic phosphate transporter gene PHT1-1, and organic Se transport was controlled by the proton-dependent oligopeptide transporters NPF3.1 and NPF4.6. Methionine gamma-lyase (MGL) was involved in selenocompound metabolism. This study identified the best spraying scheme for enhancing Se content in the grains. It also revealed the regulatory genes responding to selenite absorption, transport, and metabolism and the regulatory pathways promoting yield in Tartary buckwheat. These results provide technical guidance and theoretical support for producing high-yielding and Se-enriched Tartary buckwheat. Full article

Selenium (Se) biofortification is a promising agronomic strategy to enhance the dietary intake of this essential micronutrient while simultaneously adding value to agricultural by-products like Brassica oleracea L. var. italica leaves. This study evaluated the effects of foliar Se biofortification on a fresh market broccoli cultivar (‘Belstar’) using selenite and selenate (1 and 2 mM). Growth performance, biochemical properties, nutraceutical quality, and phytohormone profiles of broccoli leaves were analyzed, highlighting their potential as functional by-products. Multivariate analysis revealed that 2 mM selenite application was the most effective treatment, significantly improving several parameters. Selenium biofortification with 2 mM selenite increased essential nutrient content, including Se, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Mo. It also enhanced the soluble protein content (+2.2-fold), phenolic compounds (+1.5-fold), and total antioxidant capacity (+1.4-fold) compared to control plants. In this sense, the nutraceutical quality of broccoli leaves was markedly improved, supporting their use as a source of bioactive ingredients. Additionally, to assess practical applications, water-extracted Se-enriched broccoli leaves demonstrated antifungal activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium solani, attributed to Se-induced alterations in phytohormone profiles. These findings suggest that Se-biofortified broccoli leaves can serve as a sustainable source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds for the food industry. Furthermore, their antifungal properties position them as potential eco-friendly biopesticides to combat plant pathogenic fungi, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article

The culinary poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) has been used for centuries in everyday diets, especially for food, but also as a non-food source of health-promoting ingredients. In the present study, a field trial was set with white-seeded poppy varieties collected from farmers in Croatia. The poppies were sown as a winter crop. Selenium biofortification was applied using different selenium sources, such as selenite, SeO₃²⁻, and selenate SeO₄²⁻. In the flowering stage, biofortification was carried out as follows: (1) Se-0: control; (2) SeO₃_30: 30 g ha⁻¹; (3) SeO₃_60: 60 g ha⁻¹; (4) SeO₄_30: 30 g ha⁻¹; and (5) SeO₄_60: 60 g ha⁻¹. Plants formed an average of four capsules per plant, with an average seed mass per capsule of 3.52 g. The seed yield varied from 0.91 (SeO₃_30) to 1.26 t ha⁻¹ (SeO₄_30). The cold-pressed oil was characterized as good-quality since the average water content was 0.38%, insoluble impurities consisted of 0.013%, iodine number value was 135.81 g, I₂ was 100 g⁻¹, and saponification number was 188.51 mg KOH g⁻¹, and it was on average 0.93% free fatty acids. Selenium biofortification had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on Se accumulation in the seeds. Thus, the selenite form increased Se content in the seeds by about 7% compared to the control, whereas for the (4) SeO4_30 treatment, the increase was about 50%, and for (5) SeO4_60, it was even higher, about 91% compared to the control treatment. The highest content of fatty acids in the cold-pressed oil was determined for linoleic (76.31%), oleic (13.49), and palmitic (7.86%) acids. Full article

Selenium (Se)-enriched microalgae are emerging as new food or agricultural resources. Thus far, the microalgae tested for Se accumulation or biofortification are still very limited. Here, we investigated the effects of selenite on the growth of three terrestrial microalgae (Vischeria sp. WL1, Chlorella sp. WL1, and Nostoc flagelliforme) and their total Se accumulation levels. The three microalgae were previously collected at the same location and show great application potential but differ in classification and growth speed. Three concentrations (10, 20, and 40 mg/L) of selenite were used for treatment. The former two species could resist 40 mg/L selenite but the last one could not. At the relatively optimal concentration (20 mg/L selenite), their specific growth rates were 0.09, 0.10, and 0.05 μ day⁻¹, respectively. Vischeria sp. WL1 could accumulate 3.3 mg/g dry weight (DW) Se after 16 days of cultivation; N. flagelliforme could accumulate 5.6 mg/g DW Se after 24 days of cultivation. Chlorella sp. WL1 accumulated a relatively lower amount of Se, being 0.74 mg/L DW after 18 days of cultivation, but its more rapid growth would be beneficial to saving production costs. These results indicate that three microalgae are capable of functioning as excellent carriers for Se nutrients. This study will contribute to enriching the microalgal resource pool for Se biofortification in food and agricultural areas. Full article