Chemical form of selenium in naturally selenium-rich lentils (Lens culinaris L.) from Saskatchewan

Thavarajah D, Vandenberg A, George GN, Pickering IJ. Chemical form of selenium in naturally selenium-rich lentils (Lens culinaris L.) from Saskatchewan. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2007 Sep 5; 55(18):7337-41.
Publication Year
2007
Cross Reference
Publication Date
2007 Sep 5
ISSN
0021-8561
PISSN
0021-8561

Lentils (Lens culinaris L.) are a source of many essential dietary components and trace elements for human health. In this study we show that lentils grown in the Canadian prairies are additionally enriched in selenium, an essential micronutrient needed for general well-being, including a healthy immune system and protection against cancer. Selenium K near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to examine the selenium biochemistry of two lentil cultivars grown in various locations in Saskatchewan, Canada. We observe significant variations in total selenium concentration with geographic location and cultivar; however, almost all the selenium (86-95%) in these field-grown lentils is present as organic selenium modeled as selenomethionine with a small component (5-14%) as selenate. As the toxicities of certain forms of arsenic and selenium are antagonistic, selenium-rich lentils may have a pivotal role to play in alleviating the chronic arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh.