Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate selenite effects in the unicellular green algae Chlorella vulgaris as a primary producer and the relationship with intracellular bioaccumulation. The effects of selenite were evaluated by measuring the effect of different selenite concentrations on algal growth during a 144 h exposure period. It was found that lower Se concentrations (≤75 mg L−1) positively promoted C. vulgaris growth and acted as antioxidant by inhibiting lipid peroxidation (LPO) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidative effect was associated with an increase in guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and photosynthetic pigments. Meanwhile, significant increase in the cell growth rate and organic Se content was also detected in the algae. In contrast, these changes were opposite in C. vulgaris exposed to Se higher than 100 mg L−1. The antioxidation and toxicity appeared to be correlated to Se bioaccumulation, which suggests the appropriate concentration of Se in the media accumulation of C. vulgaris should be 75 mg L−1. Taken together, C. vulgaris possesses tolerance to Se, and Se-Chlorella could be developed as antioxidative food for aquaculture and human health.
Highlights
Selenium (Se) is a natural trace element that acts either as an essential micro-nutrient or as a toxic compound in a dosedependent manner
The objective of this study was to investigate the accumulation of Se in C. vulgaris and its effects on the antioxidant systems, and to show that Se-Chlorella could be developed as antioxidative functional foods for aquaculture and human health
C. vulgaris Se content increased as a function of the concentration in the medium, and biotransformed the inorganic Se to organic Se at a high rate (Fig. 1)
Summary
Selenium (Se) is a natural trace element that acts either as an essential micro-nutrient or as a toxic compound in a dosedependent manner. At low levels, it shows anti-carcinogenic effects [1,2,3] on mammalian development [4] and immune function [5] as well as slowing aging [6]. Se enters freshwaters primarily as selenite (SeO322) and selenate (SeO422). Organic selenides (Se [2II], e.g. Se amino acids, Se proteins, methylselenides), produced by biological reduction of selenite, usually occur at lower concentrations in water than inorganic Se species [9]
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