Selenium (Se) is one of essential micronutrients for mammals and several bacteria. But selenium causes rapid toxicity depending on the type and concentration of Se species. Many lactic acid bacteria are able to detoxify inorganic Se to elemental selenium [Se (0)] and to organic forms like selenocysteine (SeCys), selenomethionine (SeMet), and methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys). Se-enriched probiotics and fermented foods have some health benefits, e.g. antioxidative and antimutagenic. For example, administration of sodium selenite in the dosage of 1-16 mg/L is suitable for selenium enrichment in Lactobacillus bulgaricus and can enhance nutritive value and biological effect in the organism by elevating the contents of essential elements including P, Mg, Mn, Ca, and total amino acids.

In this mini review, we describe the accumulation and biotransformation of Se by lactic acid bacteria and the selenium-enriched functional fermented foods produced with lactic acid bacteria.