Reduction of selenite to selenium nanospheres by Se(IV)-resistant Lactobacillus paralimentarius JZ07

Elemental selenium nanosphere is considered to exhibit high bioavailability compared to its salts. In this study, a Se(IV)-resistant Lactobacillus paralimentarius strain JZ07 with great selenium biotransformation ability was screened and the red elemental selenium biosynthesized by it was characterized. The results indicated that Se(0) occurred as major accumulated species and the S atom content of the cells increased significantly in the presence of selenite. The reduced amorphous selenium nanospheres (150 to 300 nm in diameter) deposited in the extracellular space of JZ07 and the cells exhibited altered morphology under selenium stress. The macromolecules containing carboxylate bands and amide groups played an important role in Se(IV) bioaccumulation. The findings of present study indicate that JZ07 can be a promising SeNPs producing probiotic LAB and has the potential to be explored as an alternative source of Se supplements for human or animal consumption.