Abstract
Halophytic plants can provide an economical and environmentally sustainable source of products for human and animal feeding, in the context of the increase of worldwide emergent semi-arid landscapes. This work reports a comprehensive evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids (FA) of nineteen Mediterranean halophytes collected in southern Portugal, with the purpose of establishing their possible uses as food and feed. For FA determination, lipids and free FA were converted to the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and analyzed by GC-MS. Beta maritima had the highest FAME levels (7.3 mg/g DW) while Suaeda vera had the lowest content (1.0 mg/g DW). The most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) across all studied species was palmitic acid. The most prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was oleic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were led by linoleic acid. Less common FAMEs were also detected, namely eicosadienoic and hexadecatrienoic acids. Cotula coronopifolia, Phragmites australis and Suaeda vera displayed the best FA nutritional profiles. These species also showed bioactivities relevant for both human and animal health according to the literature and thus, collectively with this study, they could be further explored as food and feed.
Highlights
Underutilization of natural resources and food insecurity remains a significant challenge for the governments of the Mediterranean countries [1]
Suaeda vera had the lowest fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content (1.00 mg/g dry weight (DW)). This data is within the range of values obtained in previous studies for other halophyte species
Our results suggest that C. coronopifolia, P. australis and S. vera displayed the best fatty acids (FA) nutritional profiles and could be considered additional sources of natural ingredients for food and feed with health improving properties
Summary
Underutilization of natural resources and food insecurity remains a significant challenge for the governments of the Mediterranean countries [1]. In this area, approximately 18 million ha, corresponding to 25% of the total irrigated land are salt-affected [2]. Halophytes represent about 1% of the world’s flora and are found in salt deserts and saline areas such as beaches, salt marshes and mangroves [4]. While the majority of the crop and forage species used in modern agriculture are salt sensitive (glycophytes) and can handle only a very limited concentration of salt in their growth media, the growth of several halophytes is stimulated within a salinity range of 15–25 dSm [5]. Halophytes can tolerate a wide range of salinities, even beyond seawater concentration (approx. 500 mM NaCl), and can withstand harsh conditions, as for example drought and intense UV radiation [6,7,8]
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