Exploring the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and metabolism of Babylonia areolata in response to yeast selenium supplementation

This study aimed to examine the effects of yeast selenium on growth, antioxidant enzymes, and metabolites activity in Babylonia areolata under different selenium concentrations. Except control group, the experiment involved five other diets, with one containing sodium selenite (1.6 mg Se/kg diet) and three containing graded levels of yeast selenium (L-YSe (2.4 mg Se/kg diet), M-YSe (14.4 mg Se/kg diet), H-YSe (22.5 mg/kg), and one containing yeast (2 g/kg). The B. areolata (initial weight: 7.7 ± 0.9 g) were divided into four groups and fed with the different selenium diets. The results indicated that weight gain and survival rates of the M-YSe group (17.59 % and 100 %, respectively) were significantly higher than the CK (13.37 % and 96.67 %, respectively) (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The hepatopancreas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px) levels increased with the increasing dietary selenium content. The SOD, CAT, T-AOC levels in the M-YSe group were significantly increased by (34.05 %, 151.62 % and 131.5 %, respectively) than in the CK groups, while the MDA concentration was significantly decreased by (66.67 % lower). Additionally, our results suggest that yeast selenium supplementation activated related metabolites and glutamine metabolic pathways in B. areolata . These findings provide insights into the nutritional and health benefits of selenium-enriched B. areolata . The results also evidence that B. areolata has the potential to be used as a functional food source that can benefit human health due to its high selenium content. Thus, this study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the edible value and health care functions of B. areolata -enriched selenium. • Weight gain and survival rate of B. areolata varied with yeast selenium; optimal dose was 14.4 mg/kg. • M-YSe group (14.4 mg/kg) showed optimal growth capacity and antioxidant capacity. • M-YSe group (14.4 mg/kg) significantly activated glutamate and glutamine metabolic pathways. • Yeast selenium >22.5 mg/kg adversely affected growth and antioxidant capacity of B. areolata .