Influence of selenium bio-fortification on nutritional compositions, bioactive compounds content and anti-oxidative properties of young ricegrass (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Background: Young ricegrass (Oryza sativa L.) can be introduced as one of functional food product since sprouts have been much interested in this era due to their high nutritive values. Bio-fortification of selenium is one strategy to enhance plant bioactivity. However, the level of selenium used is varied among species of plants, hence, the proper level needs to be explored.Objective: To investigate the influence of selenium bio-fortification on nutritional compositions, bioactive compounds content and anti-oxidative properties of young ricegrass.Methods: Sodium selenite ranging 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Se/L has been hydroponically bio-fortified into ricegrass then grown for 8 d and investigated the changes of growth characteristics, selenium content, accumulation of bioactive compounds and anti-oxidative properties.Results: Results revealed that selenium bio-fortified exogenously increased the accumulation of selenium in ricegrass by 529% at 40 mg Se/L treatment without negatively changes in leaves biomass at the day of harvesting. However, root part weight slightly decreased when increased selenium level. Selenium at concentration of 10 and 20 mg Se/L can stimulate the production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in young ricegrass as measured by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and chelating assay. Conversely, higher level of selenium fortification reduced the accumulation of phenolics in ricegrass may due to pro-oxidant expression.Conclusion: Selenium bio-fortification can be used as a useful technique to improve quality of ricegrass plantation. 10 mg Se/L treatment was an ideal to trigger the synthesis of phenolics which exhibited high antioxidant activities. While, 40 mg Se/L treatment was ultimate for the production of Se plant foods.Keywords: Antioxidant activities; Bio-fortification; Ricegrass; Selenium