Selenium is an essential trace element that has beneficial health effects in adequate concentration i.e. about 60 μg/day – in humans. Besides its antioxidant function selenium incorporated in seleno-aminoacids, selenomethionine and selenocysteine, as these aminoacids support anti-cancer and anti-aging effects. However ensuring the sufficient intake of this element may be limited in some countries, such as Hungary, because of the soil, which is deficient of selenium. In some literature it has been reported that oil seeds contain higher concentration of selenium, therefore they are potential selenium sources. The main aim of our work is to study and survey the role of these seeds in selenium intake into a human body. It has been pointed out that consuming these food products can minimize but not eliminate inadequate selenium intake, except that of brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) with its high (20 μg g-1) selenium-content.
Key words: Selenium, Brazil nut, Trace element, ICP-MS, ICP-OES
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