IS SELENIUM A LIMITING FACTOR FOR THE CONSUMPTION OF BRAZIL NUTS (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA)? QUANTIFICATION OF SELENIUM IN BRAZIL NUT FROM THE AMAZON REGION

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health, it participates in several metabolic reactions including antioxidant activity. However, excessive consumption of selenium is associated with neurological and liver disorders such as selenosis. The selenium content in foods is directly linked to the richness and mineral quality of the soil. The Brazil nut is considered a food with a high content of this nutrient, however its composition is highly variable according to its geographical origin of extraction. Evaluate the composition of selenium present in Brazil nuts extracted from the Amazon region and compare with the results available in the literature on nuts from the same region. The samples were obtained from a cooperative in the Amazon region. The chestnuts were removed from their shells and lightly peeled. Mineralization was performed by cavity microwave and quantification by ICP-OES. Results: In the analyzed samples, the mean total selenium content was 2.89mg/100g; when comparing the literature, it was found that the values ranged from 0.18-32mg/100g of nuts from the same geographic region, which demonstrates a great variation within the same product. In this way, the chestnuts analyzed were within the range already observed. It is difficult to measure the amounts of nuts that should be consumed daily, considering the values recommended by the Recommended Dietary Allowances and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) for selenium, this enormous variation. Observing the selenium values of the nuts analyzed, the intake recommendation would be around one and a half units without exceeding the UL. More studies are needed to determine the exact amount of selenium daily intake and how much exactly it contributes to intoxication and the development of diseases such as selenosis, since with the recurrent consumption of nuts, the current recommendation values can be easily exceeded and cases of these diseases do not are seen frequently.