Efficacy and Comparison of Different Strategies for Selenium Biofortification of Tomatoes

At appropriate concentrations, selenium (Se) is beneficial for humans. Tomato appears to be one of the best commodities producing Se-biofortified fruit dietary supplementation. To assess efficacy different enrichment protocols, a total four on-plant and off-plant trials were conducted. Hydroponically grown tomato plants sprayed with: (i) chemically synthesized Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) at 0, 1, 1.5 mg L−1 blooming; (ii) sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) or SeNPs solution 5, 10 when entered immature green stage. With regard trials, harvested mature immersed in Na2SeO4 solution: (iii) 10, 20 15 s under vacuum; (iv) 40, 80 1 h. Spraying induced higher accumulation plant tissue than SeNPs: both protocols effective enriching tomatoes. Postharvest via vacuum infiltration caused textural damage, whereas passive immersion without causing any damage. appear quantitatively less Na2SeO4, but might environmentally safer. Elemental carried by NPs may more easily incorporated into organic forms, which are bioavailable Passive represent an alternative Se-enrichment strategy, allowing biofortification directly, with lower risks environmental pollution.