Antioxidant capacity and total phenols content changes of broccoli sprouts after exogenous supply with nano selenium

Background: The relation between the minerals content of plants and human health benefits was proven by previous data from literature. Selenium is an essential trace element for human health due to its different biological activities. Objective: Our aim was to investigate the effects of nano-selenium (NSe) supply on broccoli sprouts from point of view of growth parameters, total phenols content and antioxidant capacity of selenium-enriched broccoli sprouts. Method: The NSe particles were produced by chemical reduction of NaHSeO3 with glucose. Physicochemical characteristics of NSe was performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering. Broccoli seeds were germinated in the plastic boxes, sprinkled every day with different concentrations of nano-selenium solution (10, 50 and 100 mg/L) for 9 days. The length of shoots and roots were measured, and the total phenols content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method, while antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH assay. Results: By NSe supply, the growth parameters of broccoli sprouts were not affected compared with the control sample. Total phenol content of shoots was not affected by treatment with NSe, but 50 and 100 mg/L NSe supply increased the total phenols content of roots compared with the control. The antioxidant capacity of shoots was increased significantly (P=0.05) in all the samples treated with NSe. With respect to the roots, only the treatment with 10 mg/L significantly increased the antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Using NSe particles as fertilizer, selenium-enriched broccoli sprouts can be obtained, with positive effects on human health.