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Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic selenium mixes in pregnant sows on piglet growth, selenium levels in serum and milk, and selenium deposition in newborn piglet tissues. Methods A total of 44 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with average body weight (BW), backfat thickness, and parity were assigned to one of the three treatments with 14 or 15 sows per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: i) Control, corn-soybean meal-based diet with no addition of selenium premix; ii) ISOS (mixed inorganic selenium and organic selenium) 30, a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 ppm of inorganic Se and 0.15 ppm of organic Se; iii) ISOS50, a basal diet supplemented with 0.25 ppm of inorganic Se and 0.25 ppm of organic Se. Results At day 21 of lactation, supplementing a high level of mixed Se at 0.50 ppm resulted in higher piglet BW and weight gain than adding a low level of mixed Se at 0.30 ppm (p

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient crucial in various metabolic processes. Dairy production is continually expanding and can supplement the population of regions with low Se. Adding live yeast concentrate (LYC) to cows’ diets can influence milk production, composition, and quality by modulating ruminal microbiota, resulting in increased milk yield and improved nutritional content. This study aimed to assess the enrichment of milk with selenite LYC for a subsequent increase in quality and production in supplemented lactating cows. Twenty-six cows were separated into three groups supplemented with different concentrations of Se for 15 days and different concentrations of LYC (Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 108 CFU g−1). The animals were divided into the following groups with the proposed treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) Control Group with just dry matter intake (DMI); Treatment 2 (T2) DMI + 0.3 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + live yeast concentrate (LYC); Treatment 3 (T3) DMI + 0.6 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + LYC. The milk was evaluated using physical–chemical, microbiologic, and toxicologic parameters according to Brazilian legislation. The addition of Se and yeast did not alter milk production; however, the application did lead to an increase in milk fat concentration compared with the control group, and no significant variations were observed in other physical–chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological and toxicological analyses, all the samples presented satisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions. The Somatic Cells Count from all treatments remained below 500,000 somatic cells mL−1, representing a positive effect of Se. The milk Se content was expected in residual form with the organic selenium being the more bioavailable form throughout the processing chain. The supplementation yielded results similar to those in the literature, highlighting the potential for customized technology and processes in dairy farming in ways that improve production, quality, and sanitation.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic selenium mixes in pregnant sows on piglet growth, selenium levels in serum and milk, and selenium deposition in newborn piglet tissues., Methods: A total of 44 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with average body weight (BW), backfat thickness, and parity were assigned to one of the three treatments with 14 or 15 sows per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: i) Control, corn-soybean meal-based diet with no addition of selenium premix; ii) ISOS (mixed inorganic selenium and organic selenium) 30, a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 ppm of inorganic Se and 0.15 ppm of organic Se; iii) ISOS50, a basal diet supplemented with 0.25 ppm of inorganic Se and 0.25 ppm of organic Se., Results: At day 21 of lactation, supplementing a high level of mixed Se at 0.50 ppm resulted in higher piglet BW and weight gain than adding a low level of mixed Se at 0.30 ppm (p<0.05). Selenium concentration of colostrum in sows fed ISOS50 diet was significantly higher than those in sows fed ISOS30 diet (p<0.05). Selenium concentrations in the serum at days 90 and 110 of gestation and 24 hours postpartum were highest when sows were fed ISOS50 diet (p<0.05). Additionally, increasing levels of mixed Se led to an increase in piglet serum Se concentration at 24 hours postpartum (p<0.05). Before ingesting colostrum, piglets from sows fed a mixed selenium (Se) diet had significantly higher kidney Se concentrations compared to those from the control group, with the ISOS50 treatment showing the most significant difference (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Supplementation of the gestation diet with 0.5 ppm of mixed Se may improve piglet growth performance, increase Se concentrations in milk, and enhance Se status in the serum of sows, as well as in the serum and tissues of their offspring.

Minerals are supplemented routinely to dairy cows during the dry period to prevent metabolic issues postpartum. However, limited information exists on the impacts of mineral supplementation on colostrum carotenoids. This study aimed to determine the effects of prepartum supplementation with three micro-nutrients; inorganic selenium (INORG), organic selenium (ORG) or rumen-protected choline (RPC) on the carotenoid content of bovine colostrum and transition milk (TM) from pasture-based dairy cows. A total of 57 (12 primiparous and 45 multiparous) Holstein-Friesian (HF) and HF × Jersey (JEX) cows were supplemented daily for 49 ± 12.9 d before calving. Colostrum samples were collected from all cows immediately postpartum and TM one to five (TM1-TM5) were collected from a sub-set of 15 cows (five per treatment group) at each consecutive milking postpartum. Carotenoid concentration was determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - diode array detection (UHPLC-DAD). With the use of transmittance, the colour index and colour parameters a *, b * and L * were used to determine colour variations over this period. Prepartum supplementation did not have a significant effect on colostrum β-carotene concentration or colour. Positive correlations between β-carotene and colour parameter b * ( R 2 = 0.671; P < 0.001) and β-carotene and colour index ( R 2 = 0.560; P < 0.001) were observed. Concentrations of β-carotene were highest in colostrum (1.34 μg/g) and decreased significantly with each milking postpartum (TM5 0.31 μg/g). Breed had a significant effect on colostrum colour with JEX animals producing a greater b * colostrum than HF animals ( P = 0.030). Primiparous animals produced colostrum with the weakest colour compared to second or ≥third parity animals ( P = 0.042). Despite statistical increases in the b * parameter in colostrum from JEX cows and multiparous cows, β-carotene concentrations did not significantly increase suggesting that other factors may influence colostrum colour. The b * parameter may be used as an indicator for estimating carotenoid concentrations in colostrum and TM, particularly when assessed via transmittance spectroscopy.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient crucial in various metabolic processes. Dairy production is continually expanding and can supplement the population of regions with low Se. Adding live yeast concentrate (LYC) to cows' diets can influence milk production, composition, and quality by modulating ruminal microbiota, resulting in increased milk yield and improved nutritional content. This study aimed to assess the enrichment of milk with selenite LYC for a subsequent increase in quality and production in supplemented lactating cows. Twenty-six cows were separated into three groups supplemented with different concentrations of Se for 15 days and different concentrations of LYC (Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 108 CFU g−1). The animals were divided into the following groups with the proposed treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) Control Group with just dry matter intake (DMI); Treatment 2 (T2) DMI + 0.3 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + live yeast concentrate (LYC); Treatment 3 (T3) DMI + 0.6 mg kg−1 DMI of inorganic selenium + LYC. The milk was evaluated using physical–chemical, microbiologic, and toxicologic parameters according to Brazilian legislation. The addition of Se and yeast did not alter milk production; however, the application did lead to an increase in milk fat concentration compared with the control group, and no significant variations were observed in other physical–chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological and toxicological analyses, all the samples presented satisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions. The Somatic Cells Count from all treatments remained below 500,000 somatic cells mL−1, representing a positive effect of Se. The milk Se content was expected in residual form with the organic selenium being the more bioavailable form throughout the processing chain. The supplementation yielded results similar to those in the literature, highlighting the potential for customized technology and processes in dairy farming in ways that improve production, quality, and sanitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element. Depending on concentration, Se can manifest both beneficial and harmful effects on the cell and can have both oxidative and antioxidant effects. Because the therapeutic index for Se is very narrow and it can depend on the form of Se used, we aimed to investigate the potential safety and side effects of inorganic Se on kidney function and structure in rats. After 8 days of treatment, no detectable signs of microscopic changes or oxidative stress in kidney tissue were observed. We detected a moderate increase in urea and creatinine levels in the blood as a sign of a slight decrease in kidney function. The most notable changes in our study were morphometric alterations in proximal tubules and glomeruli, both of which were considerably enlarged. The short-term application of inorganic Se to rats in a supratherapeutic dose induced mild functional and ultrastructural changes in the kidneys. The dose of inorganic Se used could be considered relatively safe for short-term application in situations where Se could be beneficial to the organism, such as the usage of known nephrotoxicants or high levels of oxidative stress in the body.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the impact of supplementing quail diets with organic selenium (Se) at various concentrations and inorganic Se on performance, egg quality, and storage time under different conditions. In the performance trial, 360 quail aged 27 weeks were included in a completely randomized design comprising six treatments: Basal Diet; 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60 ppm of organic Se; and 0.60 ppm of inorganic Se, supplemented “on top” of the basal diet. Six replications were used, each with 10 birds per experimental unit. For the evaluation of storage time and conditions, 720 quail eggs were employed in a completely randomized design. The design featured a 6×5×2 factorial arrangement consisting of six treatments derived from the performance trial, five storage times (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days), and two storage forms (refrigerated and non-refrigerated). Each replication contained one egg, totaling 12 replications. Results indicated no significant effect of organic or inorganic Se supplementation in the diets on performance or egg quality. However, Se concentration increased linearly in eggs from quail fed increasing levels of this nutrient. Selenium supplementation affected storage time and egg quality under refrigerated and room-temperature conditions. In conclusion, on-top Se supplementation at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 0.60 ppm, whether in organic or inorganic forms, does not impact quail performance. Nevertheless, it leads to increased Se deposition in eggs, contributing to the maintenance of egg quality throughout the storage period.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of prepartum supplementation with inorganic selenium (INORG), organic selenium (ORG) or a rumen‐protected choline, on the triglyceride (TAG) and total fatty acid (TFA) profiles of bovine colostrum and transition milk. Fifty‐seven Holstein Friesian (HF) and HF × Jersey cows were supplemented daily from 49 ± 12.9 days prior to calving until day of calving. Milk samples were analysed for TAG and TFA composition using GC‐FID. Prepartum supplementation did not have a significant effect on the milk lipid profiles. This study quantified colostrum lipids not previously reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, microbial conversion of inorganic selenium into an efficient and low-toxic form of selenium has attracted much attention. With the improvement of scientific awareness and the continuous progress of nanotechnology, selenium nanoparticles can not only play the unique functions of organic selenium and inorganic selenium but also have higher safety, absorption and biological activity than other selenium forms. Therefore, the focus of attention has gradually shifted beyond the level of selenium enrichment in yeast to the combination of biosynthetic selenium nanoparticles (BioSeNPs). This paper primarily reviews inorganic selenium and its conversion to less toxic organic selenium and BioSeNPs by microbes. The synthesis method and potential mechanism of organic selenium and BioSeNPs are also introduced, which provide a basis for the production of specific forms of selenium. The methods to characterize selenium in different forms are discussed to understand the morphology, size and other characteristics of selenium. In general, to obtain safer and higher selenium content products, it is necessary to develop yeast resources with higher selenium conversion and accumulation.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of 0.35 mg Se/kg basal diet (BD) (Se as sodium selenate (Se6) and yeast rich in seleno-methionine (SeYe)) and 0.1% carnosic acid (CA) supplementation to the diet containing 1% fish oil (F-O) and 2% rapeseed oil (R-O) on the contents of fatty acids (FA), malondialdehyde (MDA), tocopherols (Ts), and total cholesterol (TCh) in lambs’ spleens. A total of 24 male lambs (4 groups per 6 animals) have been fed: the control diet—the basal diet (BD) enriched in F-O and R-O; the CA diet—BD enriched in F-O, R-O, and CA; the SeYeCA diet—BD enriched in F-O, R-O, CA, and SeYe; the Se6CA diet—BD enriched in F-O, R-O, CA, and Se6. Dietary modifications affected the profiles of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in spleens. The SeYeCA and Se6CA diets increased the docosapentaenoic acid preference in Δ4-desaturase; hence, a higher content of docosahexaenoic acid was found in the spleens of SeYe- or Se6-treated lambs than in spleens of animals receiving the CA and control diets. The SeYeCA and Se6CA diets increased the concentration ratio of n-3long-chain PUFA (n-3LPUFA) to FA (n-3LPUFA/FA) in spleens compared to the control and CA diets. The content of n-3PUFA was higher in the spleens of Se6 treated lambs than in spleens of animals receiving the SeYeCA, CA, and control diets. The Se6CA diet increased the content of c9t11CLA in the spleen compared to the control, CA, and SeYeCA diets. Experimental diets reduced the level of atherogenic FA, the content ratios of n-6PUFA/n-3PUFA and n-6LPUFA/n-3LPUFA, and improved the content ratio of MUFA/FA and the value of the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic FA ratio in the spleen in comparison with the control diet. The experimental diets supplemented with SeYe or Se6 increased levels of TCh and Ts in spleens in comparison with the CA and control CA diets. The present studies documented that Se6, SeYe, and CA influenced the metabolism of FA, Ts, and cholesterol in spleens.

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient with multiple health benefits to humans and animals. Cattle generally require dietary Se supplementation to meet their daily requirements. The two main forms of dietary Se in cattle are organic Se and inorganic Se. Data comparing the health and productivity effects of organic Se and inorganic Se on cattle are still insufficient, and it is necessary to conduct more research to evaluate the bioavailability, nutritional value, deposition, and body functions of Se sources in different breeds and physiological stages of cattle raised in areas with different Se levels. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of organic and inorganic sources of Se on plasma biochemical indices, Se bioavailability, deposition in body tissues and organs, growth performance, antioxidant capacity and meat quality of beef cattle raised in Se-deficient areas. Fifteen Chinese Xiangzhong Black beef cattle with an average weight of 254.5 ± 8.85 kg were assigned to three dietary groups. The three groups were fed the same basal ration and supplemented with either an inorganic [sodium selenite (SS)] or organic [selenomethionine (SM) or Se-enriched yeast (SY)] source of Se (0.1 mg/kg dry matter) for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, three cattle from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered, and samples were collected from tissues and organs for analysis. The results revealed that growth performance, slaughter performance, Se content of tissues and organs, meat quality characteristics including chemical composition, pH45min, pH24h, drip loss, and cooking losses did not differ (p > 0.05) due to supplementation of the different organic and inorganic sources of Se. SM and SY were more effective in increasing (p

Selenium (Se) is a trace element that plays a crucial role in metabolism; a lack of selenium reduces the body’s resistance and immunity, as well as causes other physiological problems. In this study, we aim to identify favorable conditions for improving organic selenium production. The functional microbe Monascus purpureus, which is widely used in food production, was employed to optimize selenium-enriched culture conditions, and its growth mode and selenium-enriched features were investigated. Spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) were used to determine the effects of various doses of sodium selenite on the selenium content, growth, and metabolism of M. purpureus, as well as the conversion rate of organic selenium. The best culture parameters for selenium-rich M. purpureus included 7.5 mg/100 mL of selenium content in the culture medium, a pH value of 6.8, a culture temperature of 30 °C, and a rotation speed of 180 rpm. Under ideal circumstances, the mycelia had a maximum selenium concentration of approximately 239.17 mg/kg, with organic selenium accounting for 93.45%, monacoline K production reaching 70.264 mg/L, and a secondary utilization rate of external selenium of 22.99%. This study revealed a novel biological route—selenium-rich M. purpureus fermentation—for converting inorganic selenium into organic selenium.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of 0.35 mg Se/kg basal diet (BD) (Se as sodium selenate (Se 6 ) and yeast rich in seleno-methionine (Se Ye )) and 0.1% carnosic acid (CA) supplementation to the diet containing 1% fish oil (F-O) and 2% rapeseed oil (R-O) on the contents of fatty acids (FA), malondialdehyde (MDA), tocopherols (Ts), and total cholesterol (TCh) in lambs' spleens. A total of 24 male lambs (4 groups per 6 animals) have been fed: the control diet-the basal diet (BD) enriched in F-O and R-O; the CA diet-BD enriched in F-O, R-O, and CA; the Se Ye CA diet-BD enriched in F-O, R-O, CA, and Se Ye ; the Se 6 CA diet-BD enriched in F-O, R-O, CA, and Se 6 . Dietary modifications affected the profiles of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in spleens. The Se Ye CA and Se 6 CA diets increased the docosapentaenoic acid preference in Δ4-desaturase; hence, a higher content of docosahexaenoic acid was found in the spleens of Se Ye - or Se 6 -treated lambs than in spleens of animals receiving the CA and control diets. The Se Ye CA and Se 6 CA diets increased the concentration ratio of n-3long-chain PUFA (n-3LPUFA) to FA (n-3LPUFA/FA) in spleens compared to the control and CA diets. The content of n-3PUFA was higher in the spleens of Se 6 treated lambs than in spleens of animals receiving the Se Ye CA, CA, and control diets. The Se 6 CA diet increased the content of c9t11CLA in the spleen compared to the control, CA, and Se Ye CA diets. Experimental diets reduced the level of atherogenic FA, the content ratios of n-6PUFA/n-3PUFA and n-6LPUFA/n-3LPUFA, and improved the content ratio of MUFA/FA and the value of the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic FA ratio in the spleen in comparison with the control diet. The experimental diets supplemented with Se Ye or Se 6 increased levels of TCh and Ts in spleens in comparison with the CA and control CA diets. The present studies documented that Se 6 , Se Ye , and CA influenced the metabolism of FA, Ts, and cholesterol in spleens.

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation of selenite – Se(IV) – and selenate – Se(VI) – in Escherichia coli ATCC 11775 biomass. Escherichia coli cultures were exposed to low selenium concentrations (0.3–30.0 µM), and subsequent effects on growth and viability were evaluated. Selenium content in biomass was quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with Se recovery assessed through mass balance analysis. The average percentage of bioaccumulated Se exhibited variability depending on the Se species at different concentrations. At a concentration of 30.0 μM, elemental selenium formation emerged within the Se(IV) assay, leading to a significantly higher mean percentage of bioaccumulated selenium for Se(IV) (41.1%) compared to Se(VI) (15.8%). While the mean percentage of bioaccumulated selenium showed no significant variance across the Se(VI) concentrations, a significant difference was observed across the Se(IV) concentrations (ranging from 6.1% to 41.1%). Considering the percentage of Se recovered in the solid and liquid phases, the mass balance ranged from 82.1% to 94.5%. These findings underscore the ability of Escherichia coli ATCC 11775 to accumulate notable quantities of selenium, with the amount of bioaccumulated Se influenced by Se(IV) concentration but not by Se(VI). Furthermore, bacterial viability remained unaffected by selenium species and concentrations. This study contributes valuable insights into the bioaccumulation dynamics of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in non-genetically modified Escherichia coli, shedding light on factors governing selenium accumulation in bacterial biomass, particularly regarding natural biological representation, standardization, comparability, and applicability to environmental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry industry is confronted to different hurdles which are blamed for the decline in the nutrients supplements for humans. One of the hurdles is the oxidative stress, which is responsible for the reduction of gut morphology and growth performance in the poultry birds. The present study was performed to explore the impact of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite). Day old chicks were kept in a control environment. At day 7, five groups were made with four replicas in each group based on the diet being offered. Group A, the positive control group fed with normal basal diet group B was termed as negative control group offered basal diet + dexamethasone and group C, D and E was offered 0.2mg/kg, 0.3mg/kg, and 0.4mg/kg of basal diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 35-days and on the last day two chickens from each replicate were slaughtered (a cumulatively eight chickens from each group). Samples from different regions (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) of the small intestine were collected and kept in the fixatives. Slices from each part were stained with H and E stain to make it fit for microscopy. Picture were taken with different magnifications, i.e., 4X, 10X and 40X and histo-morphometry was done through Pixel-Pro (Labomed America Inc). The statistical analysis was through IBM SPSS (Statistics.V22.X86). The present study concluded that selenium improves the intestinal morphology i.e. villus height, villus width, villus surface area showed better growth(P=0.05) in the selenium supplemented groups. The FCR initially did not differ (P=0.05) among the groups but toward the end it was comparatively better (P=0.05) in selenium supplemented groups. The relative body weight of different organs i-e liver, gizzard, heart, pancreas, and proventriculus etc. showed significant (P=0.05) results in each of selenium-supplemented groups. Overall, 0.3 mg/kg (Basal diet) of selenium showed better results with respect to the positive control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium can either be essential or toxic depending on the concentration and oxidation state. In this study, the concentrations of inorganic selenium [Se(IV)] in water samples were determined in the presence of hexavalent selenium [Se(VI)} in water. Water samples were collected from ten different sampling sites in Blood and Mokolo Rivers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A solid phase extraction (SPE) method with Dowex 1 × 2 resin (chloride form) as an adsorbent material was used to preconcentrate and separate Se(IV) selectively in the presence of Se(VI) in water samples. Concentrations of Se(IV) were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ranged from 0.0411 to 0.820 µg/L and 0.135 to 2.79 µg/L in Blood and Mokolo Rivers, respectively. The presence of Se(IV) in water samples collected from Blood and Mokolo Rivers suggests that industrial and agricultural activities around these rivers have an impact on water quality.

Tamiru N Alkie,1 Jondavid de Jong,1,2 Emily Moore,2 Stephanie J DeWitte-Orr1 1Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada; 2Glysantis Inc, Guelph, ON N1C 0A1, CanadaCorrespondence: Stephanie J DeWitte-OrrDepartment of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, CanadaTel +1 519 884 0710Email sdewitteorr@wlu.caPurpose: Selenium is an essential trace element that supports animal health through the antioxidant defense system by protecting cells from oxidative-related damage. Using inorganic selenium species, such as sodium selenite (Na Sel), as a food supplement is cost-effective; however, its limitation as a nutritional supplement is its cytotoxicity. One strategy to mitigate this problem is by delivering inorganic selenium using a nanoparticle delivery system (SeNP).Methods: Rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cells, bovine turbinate cells and bovine intestinal myofibroblasts were treated with soluble Na Sel or SeNPs. Two SeNP formulations were tested; SeNP-Ionic where inorganic selenium was ionically bound to cationic phytoglycogen (PhG) NPs, and SeNP-Covalent, where inorganic selenium was covalently bound to PhG NPs. Selenium-induced cytotoxicity along with selenium bioavailability were measured.Results: SeNPs (SeNP-Ionic or SeNP-Covalent) substantially reduced cytotoxicity in all cell types examined compared to similar doses of soluble inorganic selenium. The SeNP formulations did not affect selenium bioavailability, as selenium-induced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and GPx1 transcript levels were similarly elevated whether cells were treated with soluble Na Sel or SeNPs. This was the case for all three cell types tested.Conclusion: Nanoparticle-assisted inorganic selenium delivery, which demonstrated equal bioavailability without causing deleterious cytotoxic side effects, has potential applications for safely supplementing animal diets with inorganic selenium at what are usually toxic doses.Keywords: cytotoxicity, bovine, GPx, phytoglycogen, rainbow trout, sodium selenite

Selenium (Se) is a trace element that plays a crucial role in metabolism; a lack of selenium reduces the body's resistance and immunity, as well as causes other physiological problems. In this study, we aim to identify favorable conditions for improving organic selenium production. The functional microbe Monascus purpureus , which is widely used in food production, was employed to optimize selenium-enriched culture conditions, and its growth mode and selenium-enriched features were investigated. Spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) were used to determine the effects of various doses of sodium selenite on the selenium content, growth, and metabolism of M. purpureus , as well as the conversion rate of organic selenium. The best culture parameters for selenium-rich M. purpureus included 7.5 mg/100 mL of selenium content in the culture medium, a pH value of 6.8, a culture temperature of 30 °C, and a rotation speed of 180 rpm. Under ideal circumstances, the mycelia had a maximum selenium concentration of approximately 239.17 mg/kg, with organic selenium accounting for 93.45%, monacoline K production reaching 70.264 mg/L, and a secondary utilization rate of external selenium of 22.99%. This study revealed a novel biological route-selenium-rich M. purpureus fermentation-for converting inorganic selenium into organic selenium.