Evaluation of the use of selenium nanoparticles for biofortification of rice grains

Abstract

Rice is a staple food for the world population, being consumed in the form of grain or processed to produce derivatives. But this food is poor in Se (on average 68.4 ng g-1), an essential trace element for humans that has antioxidant properties in the body. About 1 billion of people around the world have a selenium deficient diet. Some alternatives for increasing Se intake and reducing Se deficiency are the consumption of dietary supplements, Se-enriched foods and supplementation of feed animals. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science that has received increasing attention in recent decades, enabling scientific advances in different areas such as Medicine and environment. Incorporating Se into nanoparticles is a promising strategy for harnessing the therapeutic benefits of Se and the unique properties of nanomaterials. Thus, the present project aims to develop a method for application of selenium nanoparticles in rice cultivation aiming the biofortification of this food, as well as to evaluate the effects of this treatment on plant development and the concentration of other nutritional elements. The spICP-MS (single particle ICP-MS) is a method for counting nanoparticles in aqueous matrices that allows the determination of concentration, distribution and size of nanoparticles. A method of sizing nanoparticles of Se in rice by spICP-MS will be developed and applied. To determine the optimal concentration of nanoparticles, their toxicity in pre-germinated rice seeds will be evaluated. Two forms of application (foliar and soil) will be tested. After selection of the concentration and application form, the rice will be grown until full maturity, with Se nanoparticles applied every 15 days. Finally, the following parameters will be evaluated in plants: i-) agronomic parameters; (ii) Se, Zn Fe, Cu, Mn, As and Cd concentrations and the translocation of each element in the soil-plant system; iii-) Se species in grains and; iv-) Se bioaccessibility in grains. This project is expected to provide a better understanding of the use of nanoparticles in agriculture and the internalization of nanoparticles using spICP-MS, adding nutritional value to rice grain, a globally consumed food. (AU)