Biofortification of common buckwheat microgreens and seeds with different forms of selenium and iodine

J Sci Food Agric. 2019 Jul;99(9):4353-4362. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.9669. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Abstract

Background: The biofortification of crops can counteract human diseases, including selenium (Se) and iodine (I) deficiencies in the diet. Little is known about the effects of combinations of Se and I on microgreens and seeds, or on their accumulation in these tissues. The present study aimed to evaluate Se (SeO3 2- , SeO4 2- ) and I (I- , IO3 - ) biofortification of common buckwheat microgreens and seeds with respect to the effects of the addition of Se, I and Se + I on yield and on physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Results: In combination treatments, microgreens yield (600-800 g m-2 ) was 50-70% higher than for Se and I alone. The respiratory potential also increased by 60-120%. Fv /Fm was close to 0.8 in all samples. Se content [0.24 μg g-1 dry weight (DW)] was 50% higher for combination treatments than for Se and I alone. I content was highest for IO3 - treatment (216 μg g-1 DW) and decreased in combination treatments with Se by 50%.

Conclusion: Biofortification of buckwheat microgreens with Se and I should be performed with care because there are synergistic and antagonistic effects of these elements with respect to their accumulation. IO3 - for the biofortification of microgreens should be kept low to prevent exceeding the recommended daily intake of I. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: biofortification; common buckwheat; iodine; physiological parameters; pigments; selenium.

MeSH terms

  • Biofortification / methods*
  • Fagopyrum / chemistry
  • Fagopyrum / growth & development
  • Fagopyrum / metabolism*
  • Iodine / analysis*
  • Iodine / metabolism
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Seeds / growth & development*
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Selenium / analysis*
  • Selenium / metabolism

Substances

  • Iodine
  • Selenium

Grants and funding