Identification and characterization of selenium species in Se-enriched plants by HPLC-ICP-MS in Enshi

The Yutangba Se-rich independent deposit is abundant in Se-enriched biological resources. The Se-enriched plants were collected in its natural seleniferous habitat and their Se distribution and speciation in all organs were tested using HPLC-ICP-MS. The highest Se accumulation of 531 μg·g-1 was observed in Buddleia lindleyana based on total Se measurements. Speciation studies revealed that both B.lindleyana and Oenanthe javanica have three predominant form of Se which were SeCys2, SeMet and Se(VI) with concentration of 13.5, 24.2, 202.1 and 4.2, 25.4, 158.6 μg·g-1, respectively. The total selenium content was more than one hundred times compared with the artificial cultivation of Se-enriched products (Se-enriched garlic, Se-rich rice and Se-enriched pumpkin seeds, etc.). This will spark interest in increasing and/or modifying the Se compounds in plants.