Selenium volatiles as proxy to the metabolic pathways of selenium in genetically modified Brassica juncea.

In this study we demonstrate that the headspace selenium volatiles could be used as proxy to the metabolic pathways in the Se-accumulator plant Brassica juncea. The selenium metabolic pathways in wild type plants are compared to those of several genetically modified cultures. Complementary use of atomic and molecular mass spectrometric techniques also allowed for identification of yet unreported minor headspace Se-containing volatiles such as CH3SeSeSeCH3, CH3SeSSeCH3, and CH3SeCH2CH3. By combining the information resulting from this research with the previously known information about selenium metabolism in B. juncea, it is possible that a more efficacious phytoremediation tool can be constructed.