Integrated application of selenium and silica reduce arsenic accumulation and enhance the level of metabolites in rice grains
Creators: name: Kumar, Vishnu
name: Kumar, Sarvesh
name: Dwivedi, Sanjay
name: Agnihotri, Ruchi
name: Sharma, Pragya
name: Mishra, Shashank Kumar
name: Naseem, Mariya
name: Chauhan, Puneet Singh
name: Chauhan, Rajveer Singh
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Physiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Plant Biology
subject: Computational Biology

description: In this study, rice plants were co-exposed to selenium (Se) and silica (Si) under arsenic (As) stress to evaluate As accumulation in rice grains, associated cancer risk, and its impact on the types and numbers of grain metabolites. A total of 58 metabolites were identified, of which, 19 belong to sugars, and drastically altered during different treatments. Arsenic exposure significantly reduced monosaccharides, <i>i.e.,</i> D-glucose (83%) &gt;D-galactose (60%) &gt;D-fructose (57%) &gt;D-ribose (29%) but increased that monosaccharide units which have antioxidant properties (i.e. α-D-glucopyranoside and melibiose). However, the levels of D-galactose, fructose, and ribose were significantly increased during co-supplementation of selenite (Se<sup>IV</sup>) and Si under As stress. Other groups of rice grain metabolites, like sugar alcohols, organic acids, polyphenols, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, and phytosterols, were also significantly altered by As exposure and increased in grains of Se<sup>IV</sup> and Si supplemented rice compared to alone As exposure. In brief, rice growing in As-affected areas may have a low level of different metabolites. However, supplementation by selenite (Se<sup>IV</sup>) with Si not only increased metabolites and amylose/amylopectin ratio but also reduced ∼90% of As accumulation in grains. Thus, the use of Se<sup>IV</sup> with Si might be advantageous for the locals to provide a healthy diet of rice and limit As-induced cancer risk up to 10-fold. The effects of the integrated application of selenium and silica on metabolite levels and the distribution of metalloids such as arsenic, selenium, and silica from the bran layer to the inner starchy endosperm in rice grains under arsenic exposure have not been reported yet. Our study found that this combined treatment reduces arsenic accumulation in rice grains, thereby lowering cancer risk by limiting arsenic intake from a rice-based diet. Additionally, this approach improves grain quality, nutrient levels, and metabolite storage, offering a healthier rice option for those who reside in arsenic-affected areas. Vegetative growth was more in Si application while yield was high in selenite.Selenite supplementation increased the amylose and amylopectin ratio in grains.Number of sugar metabolites was increased under metalloid exposure.Arsenic reduced the D-glucose, D-galactose, D-fructose, and D-ribose in rice grains.Use of selenite and silica as fertilizer can produce low-GI rice. Vegetative growth was more in Si application while yield was high in selenite. Selenite supplementation increased the amylose and amylopectin ratio in grains. Number of sugar metabolites was increased under metalloid exposure. Arsenic reduced the D-glucose, D-galactose, D-fructose, and D-ribose in rice grains. Use of selenite and silica as fertilizer can produce low-GI rice.