Online First

 Preview Page

Research Article

Biofortification for Radish and Pea Microgreens in Plant Factory: Effects of Different Selenium Concentrations in Nutrient Solution
Sen Yuan12†
,
Yuqi Zhang12†
,
Wenke Liu12*
1Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
2Key Laboratory of Energy Conservation and Waste Management of Agricultural Structures, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China
*Corresponding Author
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health and a beneficial element participating in multiple biological functions in plants. Microgreens, which have short growth cycles but high productivity, are ideal candidates for Se biofortification in plant factory. However, the optional dosage of exogenous Se application and the mechanisms of selenite uptake and conversion in microgreens remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of exogenous sodium selenite concentrations (0‒55 µM) in nutrient solution on plant growth and Se metabolisms in radish and pea microgreens. We found that the total and organic Se contents in plants reached maximum at 35 µM treatment in radish microgreens and reached a plateau at 25‒55 µM treatment in pea microgreens. However, 45‒55 µM Se significantly reduced fresh weight and plant height compared to lower Se concentrations. 35 µM Se enhanced the contents of reduced glutathione and selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) in radish and the contents of ATP sulfurylase, cysteine synthase and SMT in Pea, compared to other Se concentrations, which increases the concentrations of SeCys, SeMet, MeSeCys in radish microgreens and SeCys in pea microgreens. Furthermore, radish microgreen had higher total Se and organic Se concentrations compared to pea microgreen, making radish a more suitable microgreen for Se-enriched production. To conclude, we confirmed that the biofortification of microgreens with appropriate Se concentrations is feasible, and an exogenous Se application of 35 µM in nutrient solution would be optional to maintain normal plant growth but enhancing Se accumulation and translocation to shoot in radish and pea microgreens.

Keywords
metabolic enzymes
organic Se
red-blue light
Se forms
sodium selenite
total Se
References
1

Alzate A, Fernández-Fernández A, Pérez-Conde MC, Gutiérrez AM, Cámara C (2008) Comparison of biotransformation of inorganic selenium by Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces in lactic fermentation process of yogurt and kefir. J Agric Food Chem 56:8728-8736. http://doi.org/10.1021/jf8013519

10.1021/jf8013519
2

Bañuelos GS, Centofanti T, Zambrano MC, Arroyo IS, Wang D (2025) Selenium biofortification in field-grown tomatoes as affected by Stanleya pinnata-derived organic Se application, biochar and irrigation. J Agric Food Res 102162. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102162

10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102162
3

Cao L, Zhu J, Li N (2022) Selenium-agarose hybrid hydrogel as a recyclable natural substrate for selenium-enriched cultivation of mung bean sprouts. Int J Biol Macromol 194:17-23. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.091

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.091
4

Chao W, Rao S, Chen Q, Zhang W, Liao Y, Ye J, Cheng S, Yang X, Xu F (2022) Advances in research on the involvement of selenium in regulating plant ecosystems. Plants 11:2712. http://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202712

10.3390/plants1120271236297736PMC9607533
5

Chen Y, Liu W (2024) Substituting green light for partial red light promoted the growth and quality, and regulated the nitrogen metabolism of Medicago sativa grown under red-blue LEDs. Environ Exp Bot 220:105623. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2023.105623

10.1016/j.envexpbot.2023.105623
6

Cheng H, Li L, Dong J, Wang S, Wu S, Rao S, Li L, Cheng S, Li L (2023) Transcriptome and physiological determination reveal the effects of selenite on the growth and selenium metabolism in mung bean sprouts. Food Res Int 169:112880. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112880

10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112880
7

Dhillon KS, Dhillon SK (2009) Selenium concentrations of common weeds and agricultural crops grown in the seleniferous soils of northwestern India. Sci Total Environ 407:6150-6156. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.08.051

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.08.051
8

Diao M, Ma L, Wang J, Cui J, Fu A, Liu HY (2014) Selenium promotes the growth and photosynthesis of tomato seedlings under salt stress by enhancing chloroplast antioxidant defense system. J Plant Growth Regul 33:671-682. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-014-9416-2

10.1007/s00344-014-9416-2
9

Đulović A, Usanović K, Kukoč Modun L, Blažević I (2023) Selenium biofortification effect on glucosinolate content of brassica oleracea var. italic and Eruca vesicaria. Molecules 28:7203. http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207203

10.3390/molecules2820720337894683PMC10609431
10

Filek M, Gzyl-Malcher B, Zembala M, Bednarska E, Laggner P, Kriechbaum M (2010) Effect of selenium on characteristics of rape chloroplasts modified by cadmium. J Plant Physiol 167:28-33. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2009.07.003

10.1016/j.jplph.2009.07.003
11

Francini A, Quattrini E, Giuffrida F, Ferrante A (2023) Biofortification of baby leafy vegetables using nutrient solution containing selenium. J Sci Food Agric 103:5472-5480. http://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.12622

10.1002/jsfa.12622
12

Fu R, Zhu M, Zhang Y, Li J, Feng H (2025) Harnessing the rhizosphere microbiome for selenium biofortification in plants: mechanisms, applications and future perspectives. Microorganisms 13:1234. http://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061234

10.3390/microorganisms1306123440572122PMC12195174
13

Genchi G, Lauria G, Catalano A, Sinicropi MS, Carocci A (2023) Biological activity of selenium and its impact on human health. Int J Mol Sci 24:2633. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032633

10.3390/ijms2403263336768955PMC9917223
14

Grudzińska M, Galanty A, Paśko P (2023) Can edible sprouts be the element of effective chemopreventive strategy?-A systematic review of in vitro and in vivo study. Trends Food Sci Technol 139:104130. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2023.104130

10.1016/j.tifs.2023.104130
15

Gui JY, Rao S, Gou Y, Xu F, Cheng S (2022) Comparative study of the effects of selenium yeast and sodium selenite on selenium content and nutrient quality in broccoli florets (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica). J Sci Food Agric 102:1707-1718. http://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.11511

10.1002/jsfa.11511
16

Gupta M, Gupta S (2017) An overview of selenium uptake, metabolism, and toxicity in plants. Front Plant Sci 7:2074. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.02074

10.3389/fpls.2016.0207428123395PMC5225104
17

Hossain A, Skalicky M, Brestic M, Maitra S, Sarkar S, Ahmad Z, Vemuri H, Garai S, Mondal M, et al. (2021) Selenium biofortification: roles, mechanisms, responses and prospects. Molecules 26:881. http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040881

10.3390/molecules2604088133562416PMC7914768
18

Huang Y, Lei N, Xiong Y, Liu Y, Tong L, Wang F, Fan B, Maesen P, Blecker C (2022) Influence of selenium biofortification of soybeans on speciation and transformation during seed germination and sprouts quality. Foods 11:1200. http://doi.org/10.3390/foods11091200

10.3390/foods1109120035563923PMC9104096
19

Hurtado C, Cañameras N, Domínguez C, Price GW, Comas J, Bayona JM (2017) Effect of soil biochar concentration on the mitigation of emerging organic contaminant uptake in lettuce. J Hazard Mater 323:386-393. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.04.046

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.04.046
20

Kamboj M, Bajpai S, Pandey G, Banik BK (2025) 1 Chemistry of Selenium. Trace Metals Selenium, Chromium and Vanadium Chemistry, Biology & Human Health: Chemistry, Biology and Human Health 3.

10.1201/9781032615110-2
21

Kipp AP, Strohm D, Brigelius-Flohé R, Schomburg L, Bechthold AE, Leschik-Bonnet E, Heseker H, German Nutrition S (2015) Revised reference values for selenium intake. J Trace Elem Med Biol 32:195-199. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2015.07.005

10.1016/j.jtemb.2015.07.005
22

Lazard M, Dauplais M, Blanquet S, Plateau P (2017) Recent advances in the mechanism of selenoamino acids toxicity in eukaryotic cells. Biomol Concepts 8:93-104. http://doi.org/10.1515/bmc-2017-0007

10.1515/bmc-2017-0007
23

Li Y, Zhu N, Liang X, Zheng L, Zhang C, Li YF, Zhang Z, Gao Y, Zhao J (2020) A comparative study on the accumulation, translocation and transformation of selenite, selenate, and SeNPs in a hydroponic-plant system. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 189:109955. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109955

10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109955
24

Márton M, Mándoki Z, Csapóné Kiss Z, Csapó J (2010) The role of sprouts in human nutrition. A review. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Alimentaria 3:81-177. http://doi.org/10.1093/geront/31.3.318

10.1093/geront/31.3.318
25

Pannico A, El-Nakhel C, Graziani G, Kyriacou MC, Giordano M, Soteriou GA, Zarrelli A, Ritieni A, De Pascale S, et al. (2020) Selenium biofortification impacts the nutritive value, polyphenolic content, and bioactive constitution of variable microgreens genotypes. Antioxidants 9:272. http://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9040272

10.3390/antiox904027232218153PMC7222195
26

Puccinelli M, Malorgio F, Rosellini I, Pezzarossa B (2017) Uptake and partitioning of selenium in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants grown in hydroponics. Sci Hortic 225:271-276. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.07.014

10.1016/j.scienta.2017.07.014
27

Puccinelli M, Malorgio F, Rosellini I, Pezzarossa B (2019) Production of selenium‐biofortified microgreens from selenium‐enriched seeds of basil. J Sci Food Agric 99:5601-5605. http://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9826

10.1002/jsfa.9826
28

Rao S, Yu T, Cong X, Lai X, Xiang J, Cao J, Liao X, Gou Y, Chao W, et al. (2021) Transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome reveal the mechanism of tolerance to selenate toxicity in Cardamine violifolia. J Hazard Mater 406:124283. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124283

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124283
29

Schiavon M, Berto C, Malagoli M, Trentin A, Sambo P, Dall'acqua S, Pilon-Smits EaH (2016) Selenium biofortification in radish enhances nutritional quality via accumulation of methyl-selenocysteine and promotion of transcripts and metabolites related to glucosinolates, phenolics, and amino acids. Front Plant Sci 7:1371. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01371

10.3389/fpls.2016.0137127683583PMC5021693
30

Schiavon M, Pilon M, Malagoli M, Pilon-Smits EaH (2015) Exploring the importance of sulfate transporters and ATP sulphurylases for selenium hyperaccumulation-a comparison of stanleya pinnata and brassica juncea (Brassicaceae). Front Plant Sci 6:2. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00002

10.3389/fpls.2015.0000225688247PMC4304243
31

Schiavon M, Pilon-Smits EaH (2017) Selenium biofortification and phytoremediation phytotechnologies: a review. J Environ Qual 46:10-19. http://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2016.09.0342

10.2134/jeq2016.09.0342
32

Šlosár M, Mezeyová I, Mezey J (2025) The effect of selenium application on root yield and nutritional quality of fresh and pasteurized beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva Alef. Helm.) juice. J Agric Food Res 21:101969. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101969

10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101969
33

Somagattu P, Chinnannan K, Yammanuru H, Reddy UK, Nimmakayala P (2024) Selenium dynamics in plants: Uptake, transport, toxicity, and sustainable management strategies. Sci Total Environ 175033. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175033

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175033
34

Truzzi F, Whittaker A, Roncuzzi C, Saltari A, Levesque MP, Dinelli G (2021) Microgreens: functional food with antiproliferative cancer properties influenced by light. Foods 10:1690. http://doi.org/10.3390/foods10081690

10.3390/foods1008169034441474PMC8392261
35

Viltres-Portales M, Sánchez-Martín MJ, Llugany M, Boada R, Valiente M (2024) Selenium biofortification of microgreens: Influence on phytochemicals, pigments and nutrients. Plant Physiol Biochem 206:108283. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108283doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108283

10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108283
36

Wang K, Wang Y, Li K, Wan Y, Wang Q, Zhuang Z, Guo Y, Li H (2020) Uptake, translocation and biotransformation of selenium nanoparticles in rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.). J Nanobiotechnol 18:1-15. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-020-00659-6

10.1186/s12951-020-00659-632703232PMC7376921
37

Wen D (2021) Selenium in horticultural crops. Sci Hortic 289:110441. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110441

10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110441
38

Whanger PD (2002) Selenocompounds in plants and animals and their biological significance. J Am Coll Nutr 21:223-232. http://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2002.10719214

10.1080/07315724.2002.10719214
39

White PJ (2016) Selenium accumulation by plants. Ann Bot 117:217-235. http://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcv180

10.1093/aob/mcv18026718221PMC4724052
40

Winkel LHE, Vriens B, Jones GD, Schneider LS, Pilon-Smits E, Bañuelos GS (2015) Selenium cycling across soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces: a critical review. Nutrients 7:4199-4239. http://doi.org/10.3390/nu7064199

10.3390/nu706419926035246PMC4488781
41

Zhang Z, Solaiman ZM, Meney K, Murphy DV, Rengel Z (2013) Biochars immobilize soil cadmium, but do not improve growth of emergent wetland species Juncus subsecundus in cadmium-contaminated soil. J Soils Sed 13:140-151. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0571-4

10.1007/s11368-012-0571-4
42

Zhou F, Peng Q, Wang M, Liu N, Dinh QT, Zhai H, Xue M, Liang D (2021) Influence of processing methods and exogenous selenium species on the content and in vitro bioaccessibility of selenium in Pleurotus eryngii. Food Chem 338:127661. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127661

10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127661
43

Zhou Y, Nie K, Geng L, Wang Y, Li L, Cheng H (2025) Selenium's role in plant secondary metabolism: Regulation and mechanistic insights. Agronomy 15:54. http://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010054

10.3390/agronomy15010054
44

Zou X, Wang Y, Sun R, Wang J (2022) An analysis of the content changes in free and combinative forms of organic selenium in radish sprouts cultivated with solutions of selenoamino acids. Food Res Int 158:111558. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111558

10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111558
Information
  • Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국원예학회
  • Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
  • Received Date : 2025-09-15
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-24
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-26
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20250078
Journal Informaiton Horticultural Science and Technology Horticultural Science and Technology
Online Submission
  • scopus
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close