Progress of Selenium Biological Transformation in Animals, Plants, and Microorganisms

Low selenium areas of China are covering about 72% of the land area. People who are seriously deficient in selenium always suffering a variety of diseases due to that they could not get enough selenium from the local food. Therefore, it is significant to solve the problems caused by the selenium deficiency in human body with scientific methods. Plant-based foods provide an indispensable source of carbohydrates and minerals for animals and human. Selenium in the environment can be absorbed and transformed into organic species by plants, which is a safe and effective way to meet the people's demand of selenium. Mineral nutrients required for plant growth almost come from the soil that is suitable for microbial survival, also, microorganism not only play an important role in promoting plant growth but also is advantageous to the plants absorbing and utilizing selenium in the soil effectively. In this paper, the research progress of selenium transformation in animals, plants, and microorganism were reviewed to give people some enlightenments for further improving the present situation of selenium deficiency in animals and human