Microalgae as a selenium vehicle for nutrition: a review

Selenium (Se) is essential for human and animal nutrition, playing a key role in antioxidant and immune functions. Organic Se is better for supplementation because it is more efficiently assimilated and less toxic than its inorganic form. Due to the scarcity of Se in European soils, supplementation in feed and food is necessary. Currently, inorganic Se (sodium selenite and selenate) and organic Se in Se-enriched yeast are approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to address Se deficiency. However, Se-enriched microalgae present a promising alternative. By supplementing their growth media with Se, microalgae convert it into organic forms like Se-cysteine and Se-methionine, creating Se-enriched biomass. This biomass can serve as a valuable Se source with the additional benefits of microalgae. This review evaluates the viability of microalgae as a Se supplementation vehicle in food and feed and explores its commercial applications in the European Union (EU), along with emerging projects and innovations in the field.