Se-Enrichment Pattern, Composition, and Aroma Profile of Ripe Tomatoes after Sodium Selenate Foliar Spraying Performed at Different Plant Developmental Stages.

Annalisa Meucci,Fernando Malorgio,Anton Shiriaev,Irene Rosellini,Beatrice Pezzarossa

doi:10.3390/plants10061050

Abstract

Foliar spray with selenium salts can be used to fortify tomatoes, but the results vary in relation to the Se concentration and the plant developmental stage. The effects of foliar spraying with sodium selenate at concentrations of 0, 1, and 1.5 mg Se L−1 at flowering and fruit immature green stage on Se accumulation and quality traits of tomatoes at ripening were investigated. Selenium accumulated up to 0.95 µg 100 g FW−1, with no significant difference between the two concentrations used in fruit of the first truss. The treatment performed at the flowering stage resulted in a higher selenium concentration compared to the immature green treatment in the fruit of the second truss. Cu, Zn, K, and Ca content was slightly modified by Se application, with no decrease in fruit quality. When applied at the immature green stage, Se reduced the incidence of blossom-end rot. A group of volatile organic compounds (2-phenylethyl alcohol, guaiacol, (E)-2-heptenal, 1-penten-3-one and (E)-2-pentenal), positively correlated with consumer liking and flavor intensity, increased following Se treatment. These findings indicate that foliar spraying, particularly if performed at flowering stage, is an efficient method to enrich tomatoes with Se, also resulting in positive changes in fruit aroma profile.

Highlights

Selenium plays several crucial roles in human metabolism [1,2,3]
We investigated the responses to sodium selenate foliar spraying at flowering (FL) and fruit immature green stage (IG) in terms of Se accumulation in tomato fruit, and specific composition and quality-related traits at ripening, with a specific focus on volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles
Spraying tomato plants with sodium selenate resulted in a significant increase in selenium concentration in the fruit of both trusses (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Selenium plays several crucial roles in human metabolism [1,2,3]. At the right concentrations, it positively affects DNA synthesis, fertility, reproduction, and muscle function.Selenium helps to slow down aging, prevent certain cancers, and reduce the incidence of viral infections, cardiovascular damage, arthritis, and alterations of the immune system [4].Due to its ability to oxidize thiol groups in the virus protein disulfide isomerase, selenite may even prevent COVID-19 contagion [5].The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for selenium is 55 μg day−1 , and the tolerable upper intake for adults is 400 μg day−1 [6]. Selenium plays several crucial roles in human metabolism [1,2,3]. It positively affects DNA synthesis, fertility, reproduction, and muscle function. Selenium helps to slow down aging, prevent certain cancers, and reduce the incidence of viral infections, cardiovascular damage, arthritis, and alterations of the immune system [4]. Due to its ability to oxidize thiol groups in the virus protein disulfide isomerase, selenite may even prevent COVID-19 contagion [5]. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for selenium is 55 μg day−1 , and the tolerable upper intake for adults is 400 μg day−1 [6]. The European Food Safety Authority set the RDA for adults at 70 μg Se day−1 [7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion