Selenium Nanoparticle Applications in Aquatic Nutrition
Summary
Selenium nanoparticles have emerged as a promising micronutrient supplement in aquaculture feeds, offering enhanced bioavailability, targeted delivery and reduced toxicity compared with inorganic or organic selenium sources. At the nanoscale, elemental selenium exhibits increased surface area and reactivity, which supports improved absorption across the gastrointestinal tract of fish and shellfish. Once internalised, selenium nanoparticles contribute to the synthesis of key selenoproteins that underpin antioxidant defence, immune modulation and growth regulation. Experimental evaluations have demonstrated that judicious inclusion of selenium nanoparticles in diets can bolster oxidative stress resilience, optimise feed conversion efficiency and attenuate the impact of infectious or environmental challenges. As global aquaculture continues to expand, the integration of nanotechnology into feed formulation represents a strategic approach to elevate animal health, performance and product quality while meeting sustainability objectives.
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Selenium Nanoparticle Applications in Aquatic Nutrition publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in selenium nanoparticle applications in aquatic nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Selenium nanoparticle: elemental selenium particles at nanoscale dimensions engineered to enhance solubility, stability and biological efficacy.
Selenoprotein: protein incorporating selenium as selenocysteine, often mediating antioxidant and metabolic functions.
Oxidative stress: imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences leading to cellular damage.
Bioavailability: proportion of a nutrient or compound that is absorbed and utilised by an organism.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR): measure of feed efficiency expressed as the ratio of feed intake to body mass gain.
References
- Selenium Nanoparticles as a Natural Antioxidant and Metabolic Regulator in Aquaculture: A Review. Antioxidants (2021).
- Synergistic effects of dietary nano selenium and vitamin C on growth, feeding, and physiological parameters of mahseer fish (Tor putitora). Aquaculture Reports (2017).
- Nano-selenium impacts on growth performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant, immune resistance and histopathological scores of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus against Aspergillus flavus infection. Aquaculture International (2023).
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