Abstract:

This study aimed to explore the selenium status of Apostichopus japonicus from the Yellow Sea and the Bohai
Sea. Total selenium and inorganic selenium were detected by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HGAFS).
This method had a wide linear dynamic range and good precision and accuracy, so it was suitable for the determination
of different forms of selenium in aquatic products. Selenium levels in four populations of Apostichopus japonicus from
Dalian, Dongying, Yantai, Qingdao, and Rizhao respectively were examined. Among five tissues investigated, respiratory
tree contained the highest levels of organic selenium and inorganic selenium which were averaged at (14.171 ± 3.412) and
(6.194 ± 3.829) mg/kg, respectively, and both of which followed the same decreased order of respiratory tree > digestive
tract > muscle > inner body wall > outer body wall. The proportions of organic selenium in body wall and muscle (the edible
part) were between 75.6% and 89.4%, except for Apostichopus japonicas muscle from Dongying containing the lowest level
(53.6%) of organic selenium. There were significant differences in the contents of total selenium and inorganic selenium in
the same tissues from different regions, and the contents of inorganic selenium in respiratory tree, digestive tract and muscle
were higher in Dongying population than in those from other regions.

Key words: hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS), Apostichopus japonicus, total selenium, inorganic selenium, organic selenium