Screening of selenium absorption ability of mycelia of selected Pleurotus species

Pleurotus species are economically high praised due to their edible and medicinal properties. Selenium is a trace element with antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. The aim of our research was to investigate the influence of different Se sources and concentrations added to the medium on the ability of mycelium to absorb and retain this trace element. Aa ₂SeO₃ and SeO₂ were good Se sources, while Na₂^SeO₄ was the less optimum source, for almost all investigated Pleurotus species and strains. According to selenium absorption and retention ability, the most efficient strains were' P. ostreatus HAI 387 in Na₂SeO₃ -enriched medium and P. eryngii var, eryngii HAI 711 and P. ostreatus HAI 234 in Na₂SeO₄-enriched medium.