Michael Davis
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans, and mushrooms are a good source of it. Selenium is vital to human health, and it is needed for the biosynthesis of selenoenzymes and selenoproteins, which play a key role in antioxidant defense, detoxification, immunomodulation, and thyroid functioning, among other things. Mushrooms are widely consumed for their rich selenium content, and their cultivation is increasing in India due to their culinary, nutritional, and health benefits. Selenium-enriched mushrooms are cultivated on a substrate fortified with selenium, and they represent an important daily source of selenium in food products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Selenium is vital to human health | Selenium is a nutrient at trace levels and a toxin at elevated concentrations |
| Selenium in mushrooms | Most edible mushroom species are selenium-poor (1 microg Se/g dry weight) |
| Selenium-enriched mushrooms | Selenium-enriched mushrooms are cultivated on a substrate fortified with selenium (inorganic salt or selenized yeast) |
| Selenium-rich mushrooms | Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae), King Bolete (Boletus edulis), European Pine Cone Lepidella (Amanita strobiliformis), Macrolepiota spp., Champignon Mushroom, Varnished Polypore (Ganoderma lucidum) |
| Selenium in food | Selenium is found in lean meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Selenium is vital to human health
- Selenium-enriched mushrooms are cultivated on selenium-fortified substrates
- Selenium-rich mushrooms include Goat's Foot and King Bolete
- Mushrooms can transform inorganic selenium into organic selenium metabolites
- Selenium is a nonmetallic element that exists in inorganic and organic forms
Selenium is vital to human health
Selenium is a mineral that is vital to human health. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the body from various chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer. For instance, selenium may help lower the risk of certain cancers by reducing DNA damage and oxidative stress, boosting the immune system, and destroying cancer cells.
Selenium is also important for thyroid health. The thyroid is a small gland that produces hormones to regulate the body's metabolic processes. Selenium helps to maintain healthy thyroid function by protecting the thyroid against oxidative damage and playing an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones. A selenium deficiency has been associated with thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a type of hypothyroidism where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Additionally, selenium may help to support cognitive function. Research has shown that selenium's antioxidant properties can help fight cell damage that may worsen brain and nervous system diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis.
Selenium can be found in many foods, including mushrooms. While most edible mushroom species are selenium-poor, some wild-grown edible mushrooms, such as Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) and King Bolete (Boletus edulis), are abundant in selenium. Selenium-enriched mushrooms, cultivated on a substrate fortified with selenium, can also be a particularly rich source.
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Selenium-enriched mushrooms are cultivated on selenium-fortified substrates
Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. It is a nutrient at trace levels and a toxin at elevated concentrations. Selenium is vital to human health and is needed for the biosynthesis of selenoenzymes and selenoproteins, which mediate several activities, including antioxidant defence, detoxification, immunomodulation, carcinogenesis prevention, thyroid functioning, and sperm motility and maturation.
Most edible mushroom species are selenium-poor (1 microg Se/g dry weight). However, some species of wild-grown edible mushrooms are naturally rich in selenium. For example, the Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) is the richest in selenium among the species surveyed, with approximately 200 microg Se/g dw on average (maximum up to 370 microg/g dw). Other selenium-rich mushrooms include the King Bolete (Boletus edulis), the European Pine Cone Lepidella (Amanita strobiliformis), and several species of the genus Boletus.
The demand for mushroom cultivation is increasing in India, and selenium-enriched mushrooms can be a sustainable way to empower marginal, landless farmers, rural women, and unemployed youth. Additionally, selenium-enriched mushrooms can aid in the treatment and prevention of various conditions such as HIV infection, cancer, aging, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immunological diseases.
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Selenium-rich mushrooms include Goat's Foot and King Bolete
Selenium is an essential mineral for human health. While most edible mushrooms are selenium-poor, some wild-grown edible mushrooms are naturally rich in selenium. These include Goats Foot and King Bolete.
Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) is the richest in selenium among the species surveyed, with an average of 200 microg Se/g dw (up to 370 microg/g dw). Other representatives of the genus Albatrellus are also abundant in selenium. The Muppet mushroom, or Albatrellus ellisii, is a variety of Goat's Foot with an orange cap and green-staining pores. While it may not be safe for consumption, a close relative is eaten in Italy and China.
The King Bolete (Boletus edulis) is a popular edible wild-grown mushroom that is also abundant in selenium. On average, it contains 20 microg Se/g dw (up to 70 microg/g dw). Boletus edulis is commonly known as the \"king bolete\" and has many other names, including penny bun, porcini, and steinpilz. It is a meaty mushroom with a thick club-shaped stem and a large brown cap that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. It is found under hemlock and oak trees, especially where sphagnum mosses are present, and is commonly used in cooking.
In addition to Goats Foot and King Bolete, some species of the genus Boletus, such as B. pinicola, B. aereus, and B. appendiculus, can also accumulate considerable amounts of selenium. Selenium-enriched mushrooms, cultivated on substrates fortified with selenium, can be an even richer source of selenium.
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Mushrooms can transform inorganic selenium into organic selenium metabolites
Selenium is an essential element for maintaining human health. It is a nonmetallic element that exists in both inorganic and organic forms. While organic selenium species are vital sources of selenium, they are derived from inorganic selenium or metabolites accumulated and stored by plants.
Mushrooms are a rich source of selenium, and selenium-enriched mushrooms are of particular interest as functional food supplements. Selenium-enriched mushroom cultivation primarily uses sodium selenite as the selenium source. However, adding selenium in high concentrations inhibits mushroom growth. Nevertheless, selenium enrichment is a valid strategy for improving bioactivity as mushrooms can transform inorganic selenium into numerous important organic selenium metabolites, particularly selenium-polysaccharides, selenium-proteins, and selenoamino acids.
The transformation of inorganic selenium into organic compounds by mushrooms occurs during metabolism. The mycelium and fruiting body incorporate selenium into active macromolecules, forming selenium-proteins, selenium-polysaccharides, and other organic compounds. These organic compounds have higher bioavailability and lower toxicity than their original inorganic forms.
The ability of mushrooms to transform inorganic selenium into organic selenium metabolites has implications for the development of selenium-enriched mushrooms in the food industry. By understanding the effect of selenium on mushroom growth and metabolism, it is possible to produce mushrooms with high bioactive selenium metabolite content and good bioactivity.
Furthermore, the conversion of inorganic selenium into organic selenium metabolites is not limited to mushrooms but is also observed in other microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria. This process enhances the absorption dosage and reduces the toxicity associated with inorganic selenium. Overall, the transformation of inorganic selenium into organic selenium metabolites by mushrooms and other microorganisms contributes to the development of functional foods and supplements with improved nutritional and health benefits.
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Selenium is a nonmetallic element that exists in inorganic and organic forms
Selenium is a nonmetallic chemical element with the atomic number 34 and the chemical symbol Se. It exists in both inorganic and organic forms and is considered vital to human health. Selenium is an essential micronutrient and antioxidant that enhances various biological activities, including antitumor and immune-regulatory properties. It is also necessary for the biosynthesis of selenoenzymes and selenoproteins, which play a role in antioxidant defence, detoxification, immunomodulation, and thyroid functioning.
Mushrooms are a popular source of selenium, with some species naturally rich in this element. Selenium-enriched mushrooms are cultivated on substrates fortified with inorganic selenium salts or selenized yeast. These fortified mushrooms have higher selenium concentrations than those found in nature. The Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) is the richest in selenium among the surveyed species, with an average of 200 micrograms of selenium per gram of dry weight (up to 370 micrograms/gram dw). Other selenium-rich mushroom species include the King Bolete (Boletus edulis), several species of the genus Boletus, and the European Pine Cone Lepidella (Amanita strobiliformis).
While most edible mushroom species are selenium-poor (1 microgram Se/gram dry weight), the fruit bodies of some wild-grown edible mushrooms are naturally selenium-rich. These include the King Bolete and several other wild-grown species. The selenium content in the fruit bodies can vary depending on the mushroom species and the growing conditions. Cooking methods and traditional preservation techniques can also impact the availability of selenium from mushrooms.
Selenium-enriched mushrooms offer a sustainable way to empower marginalised communities, such as landless farmers, rural women, and unemployed youth, by providing them with a valuable crop to cultivate. Additionally, the cultivation of these mushrooms can lead to the development of functional food supplements. However, it is important to note that technology development for selenium enrichment on a commercial scale is still needed.
The metabolic pathway of selenium in mushrooms is an active area of research. Mushrooms can transform inorganic selenium into numerous organic selenium metabolites, including selenium-polysaccharides, selenium-proteins, and selenoamino acids. This transformation enhances the bioactivity and nutritional value of the mushrooms. Selenium enrichment also improves the content of phenolics, flavonoids, basic amino acids, cordycepin, and adenosine in mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, selenium has been found in mushrooms.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient and antioxidant for humans and animals. It is also a toxin at elevated concentrations.
Selenium has antioxidant, antitumor, and immune-regulatory properties. It also plays a role in thyroid function, reproduction, cognition, DNA and muscle repair, and immune health.
The Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) is the richest in selenium among the species surveyed. The King Bolete (Boletus edulis) is another edible mushroom that is abundant in selenium.
Mushrooms can be cultivated on a substrate fortified with selenium. Selenium enrichment cultivation uses sodium selenite as the selenium source.
