Effects of Selenate Application on Growth, Nutrient Bioaccumulation, and Bioactive Compounds in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

Poblaciones, Maria J.; García-Latorre, Carlos; Velazquez, Rocio; Broadley, Martin R.

Abstract

The biofortification of edible crops with selenium (Se) is a common and effective strategy to address inadequate Se intake, which is suffered by millions of people worldwide. However, there is little information regarding the effects of this practice on crops belonging to the important Brassica family. To evaluate the efficacy of foliar Se application on broccoli, four treatments with varying Se concentrations were tested: 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% (w/v), applied as sodium selenate during the early flowering stage. Although no overall effects on growth and biomass parameters were observed, the results indicate that the lowest Se dose (0.05-Se) was sufficient to notably increase Se concentration in the florets, even after boiling. Based on the increase to 14.2 mg Se kg−1 of dry matter in this broccoli fraction, it was estimated that consuming a 100-gram portion of boiled florets biofortified with 0.05% Se would provide approximately 140 µg of Se, which could be sufficient to potentially improve human selenium status, as previously documented. Moreover, the results obtained underscore how the application of this small dose was also adequate to reduce phytate concentration in the florets and to increase antioxidant and polyphenol concentrations, thereby improving the concentration and bioavailability of other essential nutrients, including Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn, along with improving its quality as an antioxidant food.

Citation

Poblaciones, M. J., García-Latorre, C., Velazquez, R., & Broadley, M. R. (2024). Effects of Selenate Application on Growth, Nutrient Bioaccumulation, and Bioactive Compounds in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.). Horticulturae, 10(8), Article 808. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080808

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-08
• Deposit Date: Sep 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 13, 2024
• Journal: Horticulturae
• Electronic ISSN: 2311-7524
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 808
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080808
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/39178165
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/8/808