Liquid chromatographic analysis of selenium species in plant materials

The ability of several plants to accumulate and transform inorganic selenium forms into its bioactive organic compounds has important implications for human nutrition and health. Selenium in plant food can be found in several chemical forms, which have huge difference in function and bioavailability. Therefore, it is very important to analyze them to ensure food quality and to evaluate their impact on health. Liquid chromatography operating in different modes (size exclusion, reverse phase, ion exchange or hydrophilic interaction) and coupled to sensitive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection is the most frequently used technique for selenium speciation analysis. The main purpose of this review is to provide an update on the recent literature concerning the strategies for selenium speciation in plant materials. This survey will attempt to cover the state of-the art since 2010.