Selenium Biochemistry and Bioavailability: Implications for Animal Agriculture

Shaniko Shini, Asad Sultan and Wayne L. Bryden
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Shaniko Shini: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Asad Sultan: Department of Poultry Science, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
Wayne L. Bryden: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral required for growth, development, immune function, and metabolism. Selenium exerts its biological effects as an integral component of selenoproteins (SePs). Deficiency or low Se status leads to marked changes in many biochemical pathways and a range of pathologies and disorders which are associated with SeP function. Animals, and presumably humans, are able to efficiently utilize nutritionally adequate levels of Se in both organic and inorganic forms. It is now clear that the bioavailability of Se varies depending on the source and chemical form of the Se supplement. There are a range of products available for dietary Se supplementation, however, organic sources have been shown to be assimilated more efficiently than inorganic compounds and are considered to be less toxic and more appropriate as a feed supplement. Yeast enriched with Selenohomoalanthionine (SeHLan) has recently become commercially available, and initial research suggests that it may be an efficacious source for the production of Se enriched animal products.

Keywords: selenium; selenoproteins; biochemistry; bioavailability; deficiency; excess; requirements; supplements; organic compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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