Nutritional Parameters, Biomass Production, and Antioxidant Activity of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Conditioned with Selenium Nanoparticles

Systematic comparison of the effects of exogenous inorganic selenium and organic selenium on the quality and antioxidant capacity of Pleurotus eryngii

BACKGROUND

Pleurotus eryngii is an ideal food to improve the nutritional status of selenium (Se) in the human body. Besides Se accumulation and speciation, quality parameters and antioxidant capacity are key factors in determining the nutritional value of P. eryngii. However, the effects of exogenous inorganic Se (selenite and selenate) and organic Se (Se-enriched yeast) on the quality and antioxidant capacity of Se-enriched P. eryngii remain unclear. Therefore, this substrate cultivation experiment was carried out to analyze the concentrations of nutrient elements, quality parameters and antioxidant activity of P. eryngii cultivated with different forms of Se at varying concentrations.

RESULTS

All forms of exogenous Se increased crude protein content but decreased the contents of crude fiber and crude polysaccharide in P. eryngii, with the most significant promotion or inhibitory effects observed under Se-enriched yeast treatment. Compared to inorganic Se treatments, Se-enriched yeast more effectively enhanced nutrient element accumulation and antioxidant capacity of P. eryngii. The increased concentrations of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), crude protein and phenolic compounds were identified as the primary factors improving the antioxidant activity of P. eryngii.

CONCLUSION

Compared to inorganic Se, Se-enriched yeast is the optimal Se source for enhancing the nutritional quality of P. eryngii, owing to its superior ability to increase crude protein content, nutrient element concentrations, and antioxidant capacity. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles via Sternbergia candida: Enhancing Antioxidant Defense and Mitigating Salt Stress in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Plants

Nanoparticles enhance agricultural applications with their bioactivity, bioavailability, and reactivity. Selenium mitigates the adverse effects of salinity on plant growth, boosting antioxidant defense, metabolism, and resilience to abiotic stress. Our study applied selenium nanoparticles to mitigate salinity-induced damage and support plant growth. We characterized green-synthesized nanoparticles and analyzed stress-related metabolites, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS), phenolic content, and reducing powers (CUPRAC, FRAP). Nanoparticle applications reduced proline and MDA levels while boosting chlorophyll, carotenoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS), and total phenolic content. An increase was also observed in CUPRAC and FRAP reducing capacities. In terms of phenolic content, the highest value was determined in SA1 (4.58±0.40 mg GAE g-1) application; DPPH free radical scavenging activity IC50 value was determined in A3 (0.13±0.007 mg mL-1) application, which was closest to the positive control. The lowest proline level was found in A3 (15.00±0.64 nmol g-1 FW) and the lowest MDA level was found in SA3 (10.08±0.42 nmol g-1). Comparing the results, green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Sternbergia candida (SC-SeNP) at different concentrations showed ameliorative effects on various parameters in plants, and it was determined that the effects of salt stress on pepper plants were reduced following SC-SeNP applications.

Effects of Enterobacter cloacae extract, selenium nanoparticles and methyl jasmonate on shoot liquid cultures of Sarcocornia fruticosa under salinity stress

BACKGROUND

The in vitro propagation of halophytes is innovative perspective for sustainable agriculture, conservation of natural plants and essential raw materials for industry due to increasing soil salinization and decreasing freshwater availability. Sarcocornia fruticosa, a halophytic plant, may hold promise for biosaline production systems and achieve bioactive products. Understanding the salt tolerance mechanisms of halophytes through elicitors can enhance the production of secondary metabolites, such as phenolics and flavonoids, under saline environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of NaCl salinity (700 mM and 1000 mM) on Sarcocornia fruticosa shoot cultures and assess the influence of different elicitors-Enterobacter cloacae extract (BE), selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) -on the plants growth, physiological and biochemical responses, and isorhamnetin production.

METHODOLOGY

Shoot cultures were grown under controlled conditions with two concentrations of NaCl, alone and in combination with BE (0.5%), SeNPs (100 ppm), or MeJA (50 µM). Growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, ion accumulation, osmolyte content, oxidative stress marker, enzyme activity, phenolic compound levels, and isorhamnetin production were analyzed to determine the impact of salinity and elicitor treatments on S. fruticosa for 14 days.

RESULTS

Sarcorcocnia fruticosa exhibited better tolerance up to 700 mM than 1000 mM NaCl, as evidenced by higher dry weights, chlorophyll a/b ratios, and enhanced osmolyte and antioxidant contents. Elicitation both saline cultures with BE and SeNPs improved growth mostly by increasing biomass, pigment contents, K+/Na+ ratios, and reducing lipid peroxidation, however, MeJA reduced the biomass mainly by increasing MDA and Na+ ion accumulation. In contrast, application of all elicitors stimulated the production of phenolic compounds and isorhamnetin, as well as BE can contribute for increasing resistance of S. fruticosa to stressful conditions.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that PTC techniques and appropriate elicitors can optimize halophyte propagation and secondary metabolite production under saline conditions. The findings suggest that BE and SeNPs significantly enhanced the growth and biochemical resilience of S. fruticosa under salinity stress, with a notable increase in isorhamnetin production. MEJA.

Nanomaterial-Based Biofortification: Potential Benefits and Impacts of Crops

Nanomaterials (NMs) have shown relevant impacts in crop protection, improvement of yields, and minimizing collateral side effects of fertilizer and pesticides in vegetable and fruit production. The application of NMs to improve biofortification has gained much attention in the last five years, offering a hopeful and optimistic outlook. Thus, we propose comprehensively revising the scientific literature about the use of NMs in the agronomic biofortification of crops and analyzing the beneficial impact of the use of NMs. The results indicated that different species of plants were biofortified with essential elements and macronutrients after the applications of Zn, Fe, Se, nanocomposites, and metalloid NPs. In addition, the physiological performances, antioxidant compounds, and yields were improved with NMs. Using nanofertilizers for the biofortification of crops can be considered a promising method to deliver micronutrients for plants with beneficial impacts on human health, the environment, and agriculture.

Combined Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Effect of Selenium Fertilization on Lycium barbarum Fruit

As a beneficial nutrient and essential trace element, selenium plays a significant role in plant growth functions and human protein biosynthesis. Plant selenium enrichment is mainly obtained from both natural soil and exogenous selenium supplementation, while human beings consume selenium-enriched foods for the purposes of selenium supplementation. In this study, different types of selenium fertilizers were sprayed onto Lycium barbarum in Ningxia, and transcriptomics and metabolomics techniques were used to explore the effects of selenium on the fruit differentials and differential genes in Lycium barbarum. Taking the "Ning Qiyi No.1" wolfberry as the research object, sodium selenite, nano-selenium, and organic selenium were sprayed at a concentration of 100 mg·L-1 three times from the first fruiting period to the harvesting period, with a control treatment comprising the spraying of clear water. We determined the major metabolites and differential genes of the amino acids and derivatives, flavonoids, and alkaloids in ripe wolfberries. We found that spraying selenium significantly enhanced the Lycium barbarum metabolic differentiators; the most effective spray was the organic selenium, with 129 major metabolic differentiators and 10 common metabolic pathways screened after spraying. Nano-selenium was the next best fertilizer we screened, with 111 major metabolic differentiators, the same number as organic selenium in terms of differential genes and common metabolite pathways. Sodium selenite was the least effective of the three, with only 59 of its major metabolic differentials screened, but its differential genes and metabolites were enriched for five common pathways.

Opportunities for the use of selenium nanoparticles in agriculture

Due to the growing number of the world's population, there is an urgent need for high-quality food to meet global food security. Traditional fertilizers and pesticides face the problems of low utilization efficiency and possible hazards to non-target organisms. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals and humans. As a result, Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) have aroused intense interest and found opportunities in agricultural use. Herein, we summarized representative studies on the potential application of SeNPs in agriculture, including mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, promoting seed germination and plant growth, and improving Se contents and nutritional values in crops, and the underlying mechanisms were also discussed. Finally, future directions are highlighted to get a deep insight into this field.

Decrease of Greenhouse Gases during an In Vitro Ruminal Digestibility Test of Forage (Festuca arundinacea) Conditioned with Selenium Nanoparticles

The Festuca arundinacea Schreb. is one of the most used forage grasses due to its duration, productivity, great ecological breadth, and adaptability. Livestock has been criticized for its large production of greenhouse gases (GHG) due to forage. The advancement of science has led to an increase in the number of studies based on nanotechnologies; NPs supplementation in animal nutrition has found positive results in the fermentation of organic matter and the production of fatty acids and ruminal microorganisms. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the in vitro digestibility of forage containing selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs), and to identify the specific behavior of the ruminal fermentation parameters of F. arundinacea Schreb. and (2) quantify the production of greenhouse gases (total gas and methane) (3) as well as the release of bioactive compounds (phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and selenium) after fermentation. Three treatments of SeNPs were established (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 ppm). The effects of foliar fertilization with SeNPs son digestion parameters were registered, such as the in vitro digestion of dry matter (IVDM); total gas production (A_{total gas}) and methane production (A_CH4); pH; incubation time(to); the substrate digestion rate (S); t_Smax and the lag phase (L); as well as the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA), total phenols, total flavonoids, and tannins in ruminal fluid. The best results were obtained in the treatment with the foliar application of 4.5 ppm of SeNPs; IVDMD (60.46, 59.2, and 59.42%), lower total gas production (148.37, 135.22, and 141.93 mL g DM^-1), and CH₄ (53.42, 52.65, and 53.73 mL g DM^-1), as well as a higher concentration of total VFA (31.01, 31.26, and 31.24 mmol L^-1). The best results were obtained in the treatment with the foliar application of 4.5 ppm of SeNPs in the three different harvests; concerning IVDMD (60.46, 59.2, and 59.42%), lower total gas production (148.37, 135.22, and 141.93 mL g DM^-1), and CH₄ (53.42, 52.65, and 53.73 mL g DM^-1), as well as a higher concentration of total VFA (31.01, 31.26, and 31.24 mmol L^-1). The F. arundinacea Schreb. plants fertilized with 4.5 ppm released-in the ruminal fluid during in vitro fermentation-the following contents: total phenols (98.77, 99.31, and 99.08 mgEAG/100 mL), flavonoids (34.96, 35.44, and 34.96 mgQE/100 g DM), tannins (27.22, 27.35, and 27.99 mgEC/100g mL), and selenium (0.0811, 0.0814, and 0.0812 ppm).