Role of interaction between selenium and organic matters on causes of Kaschin-Beck disease

Influences of organic matters of soil and water on speciation and biological utilization of selenium are discussed. Humic acid is found to be the main pool of selenium in soil and affects the bio-availability of the element in soil-plant system. Fulvic acid from drinking water inhibits the absorption of selenium taken from diet. The relationship between high content of organic matters of water and selenium deficiency on the causes of KBD could be reflected in the limited synthesis of glutathione peroxidase, which is generally stimulated by fulvic acid from drinking water.