富硒藻类研究进展

微量元素硒不仅是人和动物必需的营养元素,也是植物生长发育不可缺少的元素。硒酸盐在水体中溶解度高于其他环境介质,导致水生生物对无机硒(硒酸盐)有更高的利用率。藻类能吸收无机硒,可将无机硒有效地转化为有机形态。藻体内的硒主要以硒蛋白、硒核酸、硒多糖等生物大分子以及硒代半胱氨酸和硒代蛋氨酸等生物小分子有机化合物存在。在水生生态系统中,藻类是硒的主要吸收者。富硒藻类通过食物链将硒传递至浮游动物、贝和鱼等动物体内,能提高其抗氧化能力,从而导致其对重金属耐受性增强。本文综述了藻类在自然界硒生物有机化中的地位和作用,藻类对硒的富集方式及代谢途径,硒在藻类中的生物学效应,富硒藻类的开发利用现状及今后的发展方向,较全面地综述了富硒藻类研究进展。

Research Progress on Selenium Enriched Algae

Selenium (Se) is a natural trace element that acts as an essential micronutrient for human and animals as well as plants. Selenite is more soluble in water than in other environments, resulting in higher utilization rates by aquatic organisms to uptake inorganic Se (selenate). Algae can absorb inorganic Se and effectively convert it into organic form. Se components in algae mainly exist as biologic macromolecules (e.g., selenoprotein, Se nucleic acid, and Se polysaccharide) and biologic small molecules (e.g., selenocysteine and selenomethionine). In aquatic ecosystems, Se is mainly absorbed by algae. Se-enriched algae will pass Se to plankton, shellfish, fish and other animals through the food chain; Se helps improve the antioxidant activity of these animals and therefore enhance their tolerance of heavy metals. This paper comprehensively reviews research progress of Se-enriched algae, including significance and role of algae in the natural conversion of inorganic Se to organic Se, enrichment means and metabolic pathways in algae, biologic effects of Se in algae, and status quo of development and utilization as well as developing trend of Se-enriched algae.