Abstract

Selenium is an important element in physiological and metabolic processes. Due to low Se concentration in most of the soils, strategies as enrichment and biofortification have been used to increase its incorporation in food. The fungus has capacity to absorb, accumulate and transform Se inorganic into organic compounds. However, the concentration and chemical forms of Se used for enrichment can affect the mycelial growth and mushrooms production. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the capacity of Pleurotus ostreatus in absorb, accumulate and tolerate growing concentrations of different Se chemical forms. In the disc of agar with mycelium was added 20 mL of PDA medium and Se concentration (0-200 mg L^-1) in the forms of sodium selenite, sodium selenate or selenomethionine (SeMet). The greatest inhibition of mycelial growth and biomass production were observed in highest Se concentration. Regardless of the Se level, SeMet and sodium selenite were more harmful to the P. ostreatus growth than sodium selenate. However, the highest Se accumulation in the mycelium was observed in culture medium with sodium selenite. Thus, Se supplementation in the forms of sodium selenite was more indicated to enrichment of P. ostreatus mushrooms than sodium selenate and SeMet.

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