Selenium influences glucosinolate and isothiocyanates and increases sulfur uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana and rapid-cycling Brassica oleracea.

This study investigated the impact of Se on glucosinolates (GSs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs). Plants of Arabidopsis thaliana cv. Columbia and a rapid-cycling base population of Brassica oleracea were grown hydroponically under different Se and S concentrations. The objective was to determine the effects of increasing Se and S concentrations on the GSs and ITCs. The results indicate that S and Se concentrations increased in A. thaliana and B. oleracea leaf tissue in response to increasing Se treatments. Aliphatic and total GSs decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) from 0.0 to 3.2 mg Se L(-1) in B. oleracea and A. thaliana leaf tissues. Consequently, aliphatic and total ITCs decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) from 0.0 to 3.2 mg Se L(-1) in B. oleracea and A. thaliana leaf tissues. Data demonstrate that high levels of anticarcinogenic GSs can be maintained as the Se concentration is increased to 0.8 mg L(-1). Thus, it is feasible to increase Se to beneficial dietary levels without compromising GS concentrations.