Abstract
Halophytes have been characterized as a potential resource for fiber, food, fodder, and bioactive compounds. Proximate composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of five wild dominant halophytes (Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Limoniastrum monopetalum, Limoniastrum pruinosum, and Tamarix nilotica) naturally growing along the Nile Delta coast were assessed. The soil supporting these halophytes was sandy to sand-silty, alkaline, with low organic carbon, and relatively high CaCO3. H. strobilaceum attained the highest moisture content, ash, crude fiber, lipids, and total soluble sugars. L. monopetalum showed the highest content of crude protein (18.00%), while T. nilotica had the highest content of total carbohydrates. The studied halophytes can be ranked according to their nutritive value as follows: H. strobilaceum > L. monopetalum > A. macrostachyum > L. pruinosum > T. nilotica. A. macrostachyum attained the highest amount of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. A. macrostachyum showed a high content of phenolic compounds, while H. strobilaceum was rich in tannins and saponin contents. The MeOH extract of A. macrostachyum and H. strobilaceum exhibited substantial antioxidant activity. The present results showed that the studied halophytes could be considered as candidates for forage production or used as green eco-friendly natural resources for bioactive compounds.
Highlights
Due to the progressive increase in the global population, the pressure on food, fodder, drugs, and raw materials increased in most countries worldwide, and an estimated 50% increase in yields of the major cultivated lands will be required [1]
Several species of halophytes have been characterized as promising natural resources for fiber, food, fodder, and bioactive compounds
Our study showed that sodium content was relatively high in all plant species, except A. macrostachyum (27.18 mg g−1 DW) and H. strobilaceum (20.50 mg g−1 DW)
Summary
Due to the progressive increase in the global population, the pressure on food, fodder, drugs, and raw materials increased in most countries worldwide, and an estimated 50% increase in yields of the major cultivated lands will be required [1]. The agricultural soils are shrinking by about 1–2% in arid and semi-arid areas as a result of soil salinity every year [2] In these arid countries, reduced precipitation and higher temperatures lead to higher salinity [3] and become the most important factor limiting the growth of conventional crops [4]. Saline and salt-affected lands are widely distributed globally and makeup about 10% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface [5]. It is recognized as a vital ecosystem that supports a wide group of unique plants especially those adapted to saline conditions. They provide key hydrological benefits, such as flood attenuation, shoreline stabilization, erosion control, and water purification [6]
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