Mining key selenium-rich genes and determining antioxidant activity in alfalfa sprouts using transcriptome analysis

In order to improve the general public's selenium intake, this study used biofortification techniques on alfalfa sprouts, which have unique nutritional value, to create an ideal source of selenium-enriched supplemental selenium. The objectives were to experimentally evaluate the effect of sodium selenite on alfalfa shoot germination, shoot length, and biomass, and to analyze changes in the antioxidant capacity of sprouts treated with optimal concentrations of selenium. The transcriptome of alfalfa sprouts at the optimal concentration of sodium selenite was sequenced. Gene co-expression networks constructed using differential gene analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified the core genes enriched for selenium in alfalfa sprouts.