Nuts and Seeds as a Source of Selenium in the National Diet

Selenium (Se) deficiency is a pressing biomedical issue across the Russian Federation. According to domestic epidemiological studies, over 80% of Russians have suboptimal levels of this essential trace element, a deficit partially attributed to the unique biogeochemistry of Russian soils. This article evaluates the selenium content in popular nut and seed varieties, using the Kemerovo Region as a case study to clarify their actual contribution to the national diet.
The study featured 28 samples representing 14 types of nuts and seeds, with two samples of differing geographic origins analyzed for each type. The selenium content was determined using stripping voltammetry (independent sample preparation in triplicate; detection limit: 0.05–0.2 µg/dm3; analytical error: ≤ 10% at p = 0.95. 
Excluding the two Brazil nut and two pine nut samples, the mean actual selenium content across the remaining 24 samples with quantifi- able levels was 17.59 µg/100 g, compared to an established mean reference value of 17.03 µg/100 g. Selenium levels in pine nuts fell  entirely below the detection limit. Among the other products, values ranged from 3.76 ± 0.13 µg/100 g (almonds) to 50.38 ± 0.36 µg/100 g (sunflower seeds). The two Brazil nut samples exhibited remarkably high levels of 873.00 ± 12.50 µg/100 g  and 1,409.52 ± 12.50 µg/100 g, respectively, yielding a mean value of 1,141.26 µg/100 g. Except for the Brazil nuts, the intraspecific variation between samples of the same species remained below 5%. The most significant positive deviations from reference values occurred in pistachios (+132.4%), pecans (+80.3%), and hazelnuts (+45.1%), while the most pronounced negative deviation was observed in walnuts (−26.1%). The smallest deviations were documented for flaxseeds (−2.1%) and peanuts (+3.2%).
The correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant associations between reference protein or fat profiles and the actual selenium content. Crucially, single standard servings of none of the tested samples (with the sole exception of Brazil nuts) fulfilled the target daily intake of 70 µg of selenium.
Because the actual selenium content varied dramatically across the studied matrix, standard reference tables for dietary nutrient composition require ongoing analytical verification for specific food products.

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