Enhanced Selenium Content in Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) by Foliar Fertilization

Selenium has been recognized as an essential trace element for animals and humans. Although it has not been confirmed to be an essential micronutrient in plant tissues, plants play a unique role in recycling and delivering selenium from the soil to food chain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of different selenium concentrations (1-50 mg Se·dm^-3) on the growth, content of chloroplast pigments, anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds and selenium, as well as lipid peroxidation in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings. The total selenium concentration in the shoots increased with increasing selenium supplementation. It has been found that the level of selenium fertilization had no significant effect on the content of chloroplast pigments, but it increased the synthesis of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds. MDA (malonodialdehyde) content in sweet basil leaves decreased with increasing selenium treatments. The obtained results suggest that it is possible to enhance selenium content in sweet basil plants by foliar fertilization, making it a rich source of dietary selenium and useful as a raw material for enriched food products.