Speciation analysis of selenium in plankton, Brazil nut and human urine samples by HPLC–ICP-MS

The HPLC (anion exchange)–ICP-MS technique was used for the identification (based on retention time of standards) and determination of four selenium species (selenite, selenate, selenomethionine and selenocystine) in plankton (BCR-414), Brazil nuts and urine samples. A recovery of 91% was attained for certified reference materials (BCR-414). Se(IV) was the predominant species in plankton, with the highest selenium concentration in the extract. The Brazil nuts showed only the organic species selenomethionine and selenocystine after water extraction, but after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, only selenomethionine was found as bioaccessible, corresponding to 74% of the total selenium (54.8±4.6μgg−1). Analyses of the urine samples suggested the presence of selenocystine, and significant differences were observed between samples from men and women in terms of the concentration of this species after consumption of Brazil nuts (1 nut per day during 15 days). [Display omitted] ► A method for selenium speciation in biological materials was described. ► The coupling HPLC-ICP-MS was used for this purposed. ► Selenomethionine and selenocystine were the species found in Brazil nuts. ► Selenocystine was found in urine samples. ► Differences were observed between men and women urine after Brazil nuts consumption.