The selenium supply in almost all European countries is below the recommended daily intake, and different strategies are followed to fortify foods. In the present work, the influence of germination of garden cress (Lepidium sativum cv. Ogrodowa) in different selenium solutions (Na 2SeO3 and Na2SeO4) on Se uptake, total antioxidant capacity, glucosinolates, protein, and amino acids was studied. Cytotoxicity in HL-60 human leukemic cell line was also assessed. The addition of selenite (Na2SeO3) or selenate (Na 2SeO4) led to a significant increment in Se uptake in garden cress sprouts, and the highest Se content was observed at 8 mg/L in both inorganic Se solutions (36-38 ,μg/g of dm). The Se-enriched sprouts presented a large total antioxidant capacity (142-157 μmol of Trolox/g of dm), total glucosinolate content (99-124 μg/g of dm), protein (36-37% dm), and total essential amino acid content (40-41 g/100 g of protein), and no cytotoxicity on HL-60 human leukemic cells was observed. Garden cress sprouts obtained with selenite solution at 8 mg/L presented the best nutritional qualities and might provide a substantial proportion of Se in European diets. Bearing in mind the high nutritional value of sprouts, these may serve for the production of functional foods. ©2010 American Chemical Society.