Selenium Biofortification: A Dual-Edged Sword of Nutrition and Contamination Risk

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Nutritional Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Selenium is a vital trace element for human and animal health, crucial for immunity, anticancer, and antioxidant functions.
• Dietary intake is the only source of selenium for humans, making soil and crop selenium content critical for population nutritional status.
• Selenium-rich foods can pose risks due to potential co-contamination with heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of selenium-enriched agricultural products.
• To balance the health benefits of selenium against the risks of heavy metal contamination.
• To propose a risk management strategy for selenium-enriched agro-food products.

Main Methods:

• Adopting a whole agri-food chain perspective, from soil to human consumption.
• Analyzing the interconnected transfer of selenium and heavy metals throughout the food chain.
• Developing risk management strategies including traceability systems and precision agriculture.

Main Results:

• Identified the dual role of selenium in nutrition and potential contamination risks.
• Clarified the pathways for selenium and heavy metal transfer across the agri-food system.
• Highlighted the need for integrated management approaches to ensure product safety.

Conclusions:

• A balanced approach is necessary to maximize selenium's benefits while mitigating heavy metal risks.
• Whole agri-food chain monitoring and risk assessment are crucial for selenium-enriched products.
• Traceability and precision agriculture offer promising strategies for safeguarding food quality and human health.