This document reviews the most relevant mass spectrometry approaches to selenium (Se) speciation in high-Se food supplements in terms of qualitative and quantitative Se speciation and Se-containing species identification, with special reference to high-Se yeast, garlic, onions and Brazil nuts. Important topics such as complexity of Se speciation in these materials and the importance of combining Se-specific detection and molecule-specific determination of the particular species of this element in parallel with chromatography, to understand their nutritional role and cancer preventive properties are critically discussed throughout. The versatility and potential of mass spectrometric detection in this field are clearly demonstrated. Although great advances have been achieved, further developments are required, especially if

speciated

certified reference materials (CRMs) are to be produced for validation of measurements of target Se-containing species in Se-food supplements.
Keywords Selenium speciation analysis - Se-enriched food supplements - Mass spectrometry strategies - High Se-yeast - Cancer preventive properties