Selenometabolomics explored by speciation.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is an essential element for animals, yet toxic at high levels.
• While not essential for plants, some species accumulate high levels of Se.
• Selenium undergoes various chemical transformations during metabolism, forming diverse selenometabolites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review newly identified selenometabolites in animal and plant biological samples.
• To highlight the application of speciation analysis via hyphenated techniques in identifying these metabolites.
• To discuss the future perspectives of selenium biology and toxicology through the lens of speciation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized speciation analysis, a technique that identifies different chemical forms of an element.
• Employed hyphenated techniques, combining separation methods with detection, for precise analysis.
• Focused on analyzing biological samples from both animals and plants.

Main Results:

• Speciation analysis has successfully identified unique selenometabolites in various biological matrices.
• This approach has significantly advanced the understanding of the selenometabolome.
• New insights into Se metabolism in both essential and hyperaccumulating organisms have been gained.

Conclusions:

• Hyphenated speciation techniques are crucial for elucidating the complex metabolic pathways of selenium.
• The identification of novel selenometabolites provides a foundation for a comprehensive metabolic chart of Se.
• This research offers valuable perspectives for selenium biology, nutrition, and toxicology.