Biochemical and molecular aspects in phytoremediation of selenium

Abstract

The element selenium (Se) is considered a finite and non-renewable resource on earth, and has been found to be an essential element in humans, animals, micro-organisms and some other eukaryotes; but as yet its essentiality to plants is in dispute. There is no doubt that adequate levels of selenium are important to animal and human health, and some selenium compounds have been found to be active against cancers. A limited number of plants growing on selenium rich soils can accumulate very high levels of selenium (i.e., hyperaccumulate selenium), and are classified as selenium tolerant, however, many more plants do not accumulate selenium to any great extent, and are selenium sensitive. Plants vary considerably in their physiological and biochemical response to selenium, and a revision of the physiological responses of plants to selenium is presented; especially growth, uptake, transport and interaction of selenium with other minerals.