Selenium content in selected Slovenian foodstuffs and estimated daily intakes of selenium

Food is the primary source of selenium for man and, since selenium is an essential trace element, the nutritional selenium status is of importance. Data on this topic are currently lacking in Slovenia. In the present study, selenium contents of some selected foods purchased on the Slovenian market were determined and estimation of the daily dietary intake by analysing 20 diet samples collected in four Slovenian Army barracks was made. In determination of the selenium content in selected food, the highest values were found, as expected, in protein-rich food such as fish, meat and eggs (33–686 ng g −1), but lower values in milk and dairy products (12–30 ng g −1) and vegetables and fruits (0.3–77 ng g −1). Analysis of 20 military total daily diet samples, gave an average selenium daily intake of 87 μg.