Abstract
The nutritional composition and productivity of halophytes is strongly related to the biotic/abiotic stress to which these extremophile salt tolerant plants are subjected during their cultivation cycle. In this study, two commercial halophyte species (Inula crithmoides and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) were cultivated at six levels of salinity using a soilless cultivation system. In this way, it was possible to understand the response mechanisms of these halophytes to salt stress. The relative productivity decreased from the salinities of 110 and 200 mmol L−1 upwards for I. crithmoides and M. nodiflorum, respectively. Nonetheless, the nutritional profile for human consumption remained balanced. In general, I. crithmoides vitamin (B1 and B6) contents were significantly higher than those of M. nodiflorum. For both species, β-carotene and lutein were induced by salinity, possibly as a response to oxidative stress. Phenolic compounds were more abundant in plants cultivated at lower salinities, while the antioxidant activity increased as a response to salt stress. Sensory characteristics were evaluated by a panel of culinary chefs showing a preference for plants grown at the salt concentration of 350 mmol L−1. In summary, salinity stress was effective in boosting important nutritional components in these species, and the soilless system promotes the sustainable and safe production of halophyte plants for human consumption.
Highlights
Halophytes are plants known to grow in naturally saline habitats, where 99% of salt-sensitive species die due to NaCl toxicity [1]
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. is another halophyte that grows in a similar habitat and is a species belonging to the Aizoaceae family, which has widespread use in traditional Tunisian medicine as an antiseptic for oral infections, stomach problems, wounds, and burns [5]
The accumulation and synthesis of nutrients are generally stimulated in response to biotic and abiotic stresses such as salinity [14,15], this study aimed to evaluate the influence of salinity on productivity and the nutritional and sensory properties of I. crithmoides and M. nodiflorum grown in greenhouses using a soilless system
Summary
Halophytes are plants known to grow in naturally saline habitats, where 99% of salt-sensitive species die due to NaCl toxicity [1]. Despite the interspecific variability found, it is known that the biomass of several halophyte species have shown good phenolic contents, and an ability to scavenge superoxide anions or other free radicals [2,3] As a result, these plants have become excellent candidates for human consumption, with properties suitable for pharmacological use, boosting the interest of producers and consumers in the cultivation of these species. In Portugal, both species are found along the coastal area and in saltwater marshes, which are zones with extremely saline soil The tolerance of these species to salt is associated with their osmoregulatory function from the accumulation of betaine, glycine, and proline [6]. Both plants have large contents of secondary metabolites exhibiting different bioactivities, such as those shown by Inula spp. extracts with proven antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities [7], while Mesembryanthemum spp. extracts are associated with antioxidant and antiviral activities [3,8]
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