Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Biofortification with Selenium: Enrichment Index and Interactions among Nutrients

Selenium (Se) was first considerate as toxic, being today considered as an antioxidant trace mineral important for health and development. The growing demand for efficient, bioeconomic and sustainable strategies to increase Se content in rice is therefore justified, as is the study of the technical and nutritional implications inherent to its production and industrial processing for food products. Se biofortification is a strategy that promotes nutrient enhancement in food crops and can increase nutrient uptake and accumulation in the human body. The technical itinerary was implemented, using commercial a variety of rice (Ariete). Five selenium concentrations were tested in the forms of selenate and sodium selenite by foliar application. It was verified using the EDXRF M4 Tornado ™ system, by spectral mapping, the preferential location of Se in rice. As such, it was found that Se was preferentially accumulated in the inner zone of rice grain. The contents of C, H and O, present in the different treatment concentrations, were also quantified. The average of Se biofortification index in variety Ariete was 1.2-2.8 times and the opposite was verified in variety Ariete, by atomic absorption. The natural biofortification of rice in Se will thus constitute an added value to product in its production chain and it will constitute a dynamic and innovative market niche attractive to the business community. Considering that biofortification with Se consists in the development of a baby food product, it is concluded that it’s possible to develop a new product.