Chemical form of selenium in naturally selenium-rich lentils (Lens culinaris L.) from Saskatchewan.
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.
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5E2.
Dil
D
Thavarajah
Albert
A
Vandenberg
Graham N
GN
George
Ingrid J
IJ
Pickering
D027806:Lens Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D012525:Saskatchewan; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D064586:Selenic Acid; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014965:X-Rays
D018036:Selenium Compounds; D012645:Selenomethionine; D012643:Selenium; D064586:Selenic Acid