Selenium bioactive compounds produced by beneficial microbes

LAURA CRESPO; BRENDA SEDE LUCENA; FERNANDO GABRIEL MARTINEZ; FERNANDA MOZZI; MICAELA PESCUMA

Advances in applied microbiology

Elsevier

Año: 2024;

Seleniumdeficiency affects between 500-1000 million of people worldwide. Thisessential trace element is present as selenocysteine (SeCys) inselenoproteins which have an important role thyroid metabolism andredox system. Moreover, increasing Se intake can prevent formbacterial and viral infections. Se deficiency has been associated tocancer, Altzheimer, Parkinson, decrease thyroid function and maleinfertility. Se intake depends on the food consumed which is directlyrelated to the amount of Se in the soil as well as on itsavailability. Se is uneven distributed on the earth crust, beingscarce in some regions and in excess on others. The easiest way tocounteract the symptoms of Se deficiency is to enhance the Se statusof human diet. Se salts are the most toxic form of Se while Se aminoacids and Se-nanoparticles (SeNPs) are the least toxic and mostbio-available forms. Some bacteria transform Se salts into these Sespecies. Generally accepted as safe selenized microorganisms can bedirectly used in the manufacture of selenized fermented and/orprobiotic foods. On the other hand, plant growth promoting bacteriaand/or the SeNPs produced by them can be used to promote plant growthand produce crops enriched with Se. In this chapter we discussbacteria Se metabolism, the effect of Se on health, the uses of SeNPsand enriched bacteria and their effect on food fortification. Wesummarized different strategies to counteract Se deficiency byenriching foods using sustainable strategies and their possibleimplications on improving human health.