Total selenium and selenomethionine in pharmaceutical yeast tablets: assessment of the state of the art of measurement capabilities through international intercomparison CCQM-P86

Inorganic and Organic Selenium Speciation of Seleno-Yeasts Used as Feed Additives: New Insights from Elemental Selenium Determination

Seleno-Yeasts (SY) used as feed additives are known to contain different Selenium (Se) species. Seleno-Yeasts has been shown, on previous analytical methods, to contain selenomethionine (SeMet), selenocysteine (SeCys), selenate (SeIV) and selenite (SeVI), and various other organic and inorganic Se forms identified but rarely quantified. A new advanced method has allowed elemental Se (Se0), an inorganic Se species, to be quantified, thereby obtaining better insight into the proportion of inorganic Se in SY products. The study aimed to quantify the Se0 in SY products and assess the proportion of inorganic Se in SY. The Se speciation of 13 fresh commercials SY from different suppliers and batches, was assayed for the total Se, inorganic Se species (SeIV, SeVI and Se0), and organic Se species (SeMet and SeCys). Results on total Se were in line with the expected Se concentrations for all evaluated samples. The proportion of Se present as Se0 ranged from 3.6% to 51.8%. The quantity of Se0 in the SY products, added to SeIV and SeVI, indicated an average proportion of inorganic Se of 14.2% for the 13 analyzed SY products. The proportion of Se as SeMet ranged from 19.0% to 71.8%, (average of 55.8%), and a large variability in the SeMet content was observed. The SeCys content was also variable, with an average of 3.8%, relative to the total Se. In conclusion, advances in the analytical characterization have revealed that SY products can have a significantly high proportion of inorganic Se, which could affect the bioavailability of Se from SY supplements and explain their variable and lower bio-efficacy than pure SeMet supplements, such as hydroxy-selenomethionine.

Enhanced selenocysteine biosynthesis for seleno-methylselenocysteine production in Bacillus subtilis

Seleno-methylselenocysteine (SeMCys) is an effective component for selenium supplementation with anti-carcinogenic potential and can ameliorate neuropathology and cognitive deficits. In this study, we aimed to engineer Bacillus subtilis 168 for the microbial production of SeMCys. First, the accumulation of intracellular selenocysteine (SeCys) as the precursor of SeMCys was enhanced through overexpression of serine O-acetyltransferase, which was desensitized against feedback inhibition by cysteine. Next, the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetic pathway was optimized to improve methyl donor availability through expression of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase. Further, SeMCys was successfully produced through expression of the selenocysteine methyltransferase in SeCys and SAM-producing strain. The increased expression level of selenocysteine methyltransferase benefited the SeMCys production. Finally, all the heterologous genes were integrated into the genome of B. subtilis, and the strain produced SeMCys at a titer of 18.4 μg/L in fed-batch culture. This is the first report on the metabolic engineering of B. subtilis for microbial production of SeMCys and provides a good starting point for future pathway engineering to achieve the industrial-grade production of SeMCys. KEY POINTS: • Expression of the feedback-insensitive serine O-acetyltransferase provided B. subtilis the ability of accumulating SeCys. • SAM production was enhanced through expressing S-adenosylmethionine synthetase in B. subtilis. • Expression of selenocysteine methyltransferase in SeCys and SAM-accumulating strain facilitated SeMCys production.

The importance and status of the micronutrient selenium in South Africa: a review

Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient with widespread biological action but leads to toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. The biological benefits of Se are mainly derived from its presence in active sites of selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx). An enzyme whose role is to protect tissues against oxidative stress by catalysing the reduction of peroxidase responsible for various forms of cellular damage. The benefits of Se can be harvested when proper regulations of its intake are used. In South Africa, Se distribution in people's diets and animals are low with socio-economic factors and heterogeneous spread of Se in soil throughout the country playing a significant role. The possible causes of low Se in soils may be influenced by underlying geological material, climatic conditions, and anthropogenic activities. Sedimentary rock formations show higher Se concentrations compared to igneous and metamorphic rock formations. Higher Se concentrations in soils dominates in humid and sub-humid areas of South Africa. Furthermore, atmospheric acid deposition dramatically influences the availability of Se to plants. The studies reviewed in this article have shown that atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is the most utilised analytical technique for total Se concentration determination in environmental samples and there is a lack of speciation data for Se concentrations. Shortcomings in Se studies have been identified, and the future research directions of Se in South Africa have been discussed.

Compilation of selenium metabolite data in selenized yeasts

Selenium-enriched yeast has long been recognized as an important nutritional source of selenium and studies have suggested that supplementation with this material provides chemo-preventative benefits beyond those observed for selenomethionine supplementation, despite the fact that selenomethionine accounts for 60-84% of the total selenium in selenized yeasts. There is much ongoing research into the characterization of the species comprising the remaining 16-40% of the selenium, with nearly 100 unique selenium-containing metabolites identified in aqueous extracts of selenized yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Herein, we discuss the analytical approaches involved in the identification and quantification of these metabolites, and present a recently created online database (DOI: 10.4224/40001921) of reported selenium species along with chemical structures and unique mass spectral features.

Systematic study of the selenium fractionation in human plasma from a cancer prevention trial using HPLC hyphenated to ICP-MS and ESI-MS/MS

This work represents the first systematic speciation study of selenium (Se) in plasma from subjects participating in a pilot study for a cancer prevention trial (PRECISE). This involved supplementation of elderly British and Danish individuals with selenised yeast for 6 months and 5 years, respectively, at 100, 200, and 300 μg Se/day or placebo. Speciation data was obtained for male plasma using HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. With the proposed strategy, approximately 1.5 mL of plasma was needed to determine total Se concentration and the fractionation of Se in high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) pools, and for quantification and identification of small Se species. For the first time, Se-methyl-selenocysteine (MSC) and methyl-2-acetamido-2deoxy1-seleno-β-D-galactopyranoside (Selenosugar-1) were structurally confirmed in plasma after supplementation with selenised yeast within the studied range. Determination of selenomethionine (SeMet) incorporated non-specifically into albumin (SeALB) was achieved by HPLC-ICP-MS after hydrolysis. By subtracting this SeMet concentration from the total Se in the HMW pool, the concentration of Se incorporated into selenoproteins was calculated. Results from the speciation analysis of the free Se metabolite fraction (5% of total plasma Se) suggest a significant increase in the percentage of Se (as SeMet plus Selenosugar-1) of up to 80% of the total Se in the LMW fraction after 6 months of supplementation. The Se distribution in the HMW fraction reflects a significant increase in SeALB with Se depletion from selenoproteins, which occurs most significantly at doses of over 100 μg Se/day after 5 years. The results of this work will inform future trial design. Graphical abstract.

Accurate Quantification of Selenoprotein P (SEPP1) in Plasma Using Isotopically Enriched Seleno-peptides and Species-Specific Isotope Dilution with HPLC Coupled to ICP-MS/MS

A novel strategy for the absolute quantification of selenium (Se) included in selenoprotein P (SEPP1), an important biomarker for human nutrition and disease, including diabetes and cancer, is presented here for the first time. It is based on the use of species-specific double isotope dilution mass spectrometry (SSIDA) in combination with HPLC-ICP-MS/MS for the determination of protein bound Se down to the peptide level in a complex plasma matrix with a total content of Se of 105.5 μg kg(-1). The method enabled the selective Se speciation analysis of human plasma samples without the need of extensive cleanup or preconcentration steps as required for traditional protein mass spectrometric approaches. To assess the method accuracy, two plasma reference materials, namely, BCR-637 and SRM1950, for which literature data and a reference value for SEPP1 have been reported, were analyzed using complementary hyphenated methods and the species-specific approach developed in this work. The Se mass fractions obtained via the isotopic ratios (78)Se/(76)Se and (82)Se/(76)Se for each of the Se-peptides, namely, ENLPSLCSUQGLR (ENL) and AEENITESCQUR (AEE) (where U is SeCys), were found to agree within 2.4%. A relative expanded combined uncertainty (k = 2) of 5.4% was achieved for a Se (as SEPP1) mass fraction of approximately 60 μg kg(-1). This work represents a systematic approach to the accurate quantitation of plasma SEPP1 at clinical levels using SSIDA quantification. Such methodology will be invaluable for the certification of reference materials and the provision of reference values to clinical measurements and clinical trials.

Preparation and characterization of a laboratory scale selenomethionine-enriched bread. Selenium bioaccessibility

This study focuses on the preparation at lab scale of selenomethionine-enriched white and wholemeal bread. Selenium was supplemented either by adding selenite directly to the dough or by using lab-made selenium-enriched yeast. The best results were obtained when using fresh selenium-enriched yeast. The optimum incubation time for selenomethionine-enriched yeast preparation, while keeping formation of selenium byproducts to a minimum, was 96 h. Selenium content measured by isotope dilution analysis (IDA)-ICP-MS in Se-white and Se-wholemeal bread was 1.28 ± 0.02 μg g–1 and 1.16 ± 0.02 μg g–1 (expressed as mean ± SE, 3 replicates), respectively. HPLC postcolumn IDA-ICP-MS measurements revealed that selenomethionine was the main Se species found in Se-enriched bread, which accounted for ca. 80% of total selenium. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion assay provided selenium bioaccessibility values of 100 ± 3% and 40 ± 1% for white and wholemeal Se-enriched bread, respectively, being selenomethionine the main bioaccessible Se species in white bread, while in wholemeal bread this compound was undetectable.

Accelerated determination of selenomethionine in selenized yeast: validation of analytical method

The purpose of this study was to reduce the extraction time, to hours instead of days, for quantification of the selenomethionine (SeMet) content of selenized yeast. An accelerated method using microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction and ultrasonication was optimized and applied to certified reference material (selenized yeast reference material (SELM)-1). Quantitation of SeMet in the extracts was performed by liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantitation were 5 ppb SeMet and 15 ppb SeMet respectively and the signal response was linear up to 1,500 ppb SeMet. The average recovery of spiked SeMet from the selenized yeast matrix was 97.7 %. Analysis of an SELM-1 using this method resulted in 100.9 % recovery of the certified value (3448 ± 146 ppm SeMet). This method is suitable for fast reliable determination of SeMet in selenized yeast.

LGC: clinical about clinical measurement

LGC is the UK's designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement, and through this role improves the quality and international acceptance of measurements performed within the UK. This research spotlight, highlighting measurement 'across the scale', from elemental analysis and small molecules, through to proteins, DNA and RNA and on to whole cells and tissues, demonstrates how LGC is supporting the clinical sector by ensuring sound measurement practice that underpins clinical efficacy, quality assurance and patient safety.

Effect of sample preparation methods on the D,L-enantiomer ratio of extracted selenomethionine

Effects of the two most widespread sample preparation techniques on the D,L-enantiomer ratio of extracted selenomethionine were monitored through the analysis of the certified reference material selenium-enriched yeast and the isolated protein fraction of high selenium monkeypot nut. The extracted selenomethionine (SeMet) fractions were orthogonally cleaned up with anion exchange chromatography before carrying out the enantiomer-specific detection to increase the robustness and the efficiency of the subsequent o-phthal-aldehyde and n-isobutyril-cysteine-based derivatisation process and reversed phase-high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) detection. The two techniques, namely methanesulphonic acid (MSA) based digestion and proteolytic digestion with protease XIV, resulted in significantly different ratio of D,L-selenomethionine with the final results of 2.2-2.7% and 0.5-0.6% of D-SeMet, respectively. The study revealed significant differences in the ICP-MS-related sensitivity of the derivatised selenomethionine enantiomers, which calls attention to the quantification of this selenoamino acid after MSA hydrolysis.

A miniaturized microtiter plate protocol for the determination of in selenized yeast via enzymatic hydrolysis of protein-bound

This paper describes a simple/low volume enzymatic extraction method for selenomethionine (SeMet) determination in selenized yeast samples. In contrast to traditional methods which generally utilize large sample volumes consuming significant amounts of costly enzymes, the modified protocol employs a microtiter plate format allowing a reduction of the required sample volumes to 1 mL per extract. The extraction is performed in a parallel (5 × 4 = 20 position microtiter plate) reaction platform made out of sintered silicon carbide, fitted with standard disposable glass HPLC/GC vials. Due to the high thermal conductivity of silicon carbide, this set-up can be placed on a standard hotplate to accurately maintain the desired extraction conditions (37 °C, 20 h) for all positions of the microtiter plate. Hydrolysis of selenium-enriched yeast with a combination of protease XIV and lipase VII (ratio 2 : 1, w/w) using these low-volume conditions provided identical results to the more traditional high-volume method. The amount of SeMet was determined by HPLC/ICPMS and confirmed a high recovery rate for SeMet (93 ± 2%, n = 3) for the certified reference material SELM-1.

Surveying selenium speciation from soil to cell--forms and transformations

The aim of this review is to present and evaluate the present knowledge of which selenium species are available to the general population in the form of food and common supplements and how these species are metabolized in mammals. The overview of the selenium sources takes a horizontal approach, which encompasses identification of new metabolites in yeast and food of plant and animal origin, whereas the survey of the mammalian metabolism takes a horizontal as well as a vertical approach. The vertical approach encompasses studies on dynamic conversions of selenium compounds within cells, tissues or whole organisms. New and improved sample preparation, separation and detection methods are evaluated from an analytical chemical perspective to cover the progress in horizontal speciation, whereas the analytical methods for the vertical speciation and the interpretations of the results are evaluated from a biological angle as well.

Study of the effect of sample preparation and cooking on the selenium speciation of selenized potatoes by HPLC with ICP-MS and electrospray ionization MS/MS

The efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis and leaching with water using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) or boiling was investigated for quantitative Se speciation in selenized potatoes using reversed phase HPLC coupled to ICP-MS. Preliminary identification of selenomethionine (SeMet), Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMeCys), and selenate in extracts of potato skin and flesh was achieved using complementary reversed phase and anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS and retention time matching with standards. The quantitative speciation data revealed a higher percentage of selenomethionine (73% of the total Se) found in the flesh in comparison with skin (containing 21% of the total Se as SeMet). ASE and boiling in water were found to be similar in terms of Se extraction efficiency and profiles. However, ASE was found to be more efficient than boiling with respect to sample cleanup and reduced sample handling. The presence of SeMet at parts per billion levels in selenized potatoes was confirmed by reversed phase HPLC with online ESI MS/MS.