Selenium content in wheat and estimation of the selenium daily intake in different regions of Algeria.

In this work, we have measured the selenium content in wheat produced locally in eight different regions of Algeria from east to west, and we have established the annual consumption of selenium for five socio-professional categories. Instrumental neutron activation analysis is used. The selenium levels in wheat samples varied from 21 (Tiaret) to 153 µg/kg (Khroub), with a mean value about 52 µg/kg. The mean of selenium daily consumption from ingestion of wheat per person in the eight regions varied from 32 to 52 µg/day which is close to the minimal FAO recommendation.