Biofortification of onion bulb with selenium at different levels of sulfate

Abstract

In this research experiment, two commercial onion cultivars (Allium cepa L., cvs. Dorrcheh and Cebolla Valenciana) were grown in sand culture and exposed to two levels of selenium (Se) (0 and 25 µM) and two levels of sulfate (1 and 3 mM). According to the results obtained, addition of 25 µM Se in combination with 3 mM sulfate was not only effective in significant increase of onion bulb yield, but it significantly increased Se concentration of bulb. By considering the average consumption of onion in central Iran, the daily intake of Se via consumption of Se-biofortified onion is estimated to be 68.4–77.2 µg in spring and summer and 72.6–117.1 µg in fall and winter. These amounts of daily intakes of Se is higher than the sufficient levels of Se recommended by world health organization (WHO) but less than the maximum tolerable level of Se (400 µg Se per day) for human.

Keywords:

• Allium cepa L.
• biofortification
• daily intake
• pyruvic acid
• selenium
• sulfate