sodium selenite

Sodium selenite is an inorganic compound with the formula Na₂SeO₃. It is a colorless to white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Sodium selenite serves as a source of selenium, an essential trace element required for various biological functions including antioxidant defense and immune support. In medicine and nutrition, it is used as a dietary supplement to treat or prevent selenium deficiency in humans and animals. Mechanistically, it acts as a precursor for the synthesis of essential selenium-containing enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase. Sodium selenite has also been investigated for its potential anticancer properties due1 to its ability to induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells (e.g., prostate cancer, leukemia, melanoma)[1]. Industrially, it finds use in glass manufacturing (to neutralize green iron impurities), agriculture (as a fertilizer additive), animal feed supplementation, and chemical synthesis[2][5][7].

Brand names

Zelnite

Other names

disodium selenitenatriumselenitselenite sodiumbiselenite, sodiummonosodium selenitepentahydrate, sodium seleniteselenite pentahydrate, sodiumselenous acid disodium saltsodium biselenite