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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366347
Research Project: Develop Water Management Strategies to Sustain Water Productivity and Protect Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture

Location: Water Management Research

Title: Selenium Research for Environment and Human Health: Perspectives, Technologies and Advancements

Author
item Banuelos, Gary
item LIN, Z.Q. - Southern Illinois University
item LIANG, D. - Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University
item YIN, X. - University Of Science And Technology Of China

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/16/2019
Publication Date: 10/8/2019
Citation: Banuelos, G.S., Lin, Z., Liang, D., Yin, X. 2019. Selenium Research for Environment and Human Health: Perspectives, Technologies and Advancements. London: CRC Press. 250 p. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429423482.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429423482

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The selenium (Se) content in crops and human daily dietary intake has become a topic of great interest in public health around the world, since Se is an essential and impactful trace element for animals and humans. There are estimations that more than a billion people are affected to some degree by Se deficiency, which compromises human health, including the immune system, thyroid, metabolism, and spermatogenesis. Worldwide, plant-based products are the major source of Se for human dietary intake, and consequently, Se deficiencies can arise if dietary Se supply and intake is abnormal. Although Se is not essential for higher plants, plants can readily take up Se due to its similarity to sulfur (S). Its uptake is largely determined by its bioavailability in the soil. Food-chain-based approaches like Se biofortification are designed to increase Se intake through dietary plant products, and the strategy may provide a practical and cost-effective way to increase Se intake for people living in low Se areas around the world. The Se research community is excitedly and fervently working on the multifaceted functionality of Se and its influence on so many parts of human, animal, and even on plant life. Only through interactions with fellow Se researchers from around the world can our overall knowledge expand on selenium's impact throughout all facets of biological, chemical, and physical sciences. To discover the various roles that Se plays in today's complex world, the 6th International Conference on Selenium in the Environment and Human Health will be held on 27-30 October, 2019 in Yangling/Xi'an, China. A compilation of the presentations from the international Se experts have been collected and presented in a peer-reviewed book titled "Selenium in the Environment and Human Health." This book presents a myriad of research representing a multitude of disciplines from the worldwide Se research community.