Selenium species in selenium-enriched malt

Selenium-enriched malts were prepared by an application of sodium selenite solution to steeped barley grain and following germination and kilning. The changes of selenium valency and the biotransformation of inorganic selenium were investigated by selenium speciation analysis in enzyme-hydrolysed malt samples using liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Both inorganic compounds (selenate, selenite) and Se-containing amino acids (selenocystine, Se-methyl-selenocysteine, selenomethionine) were found in green and kilned barley malt.