Search Results (10)

Seed germination represents a critical bottleneck for the establishment of halophytic crops under saline conditions. In Sarcocornia neei, a promising biosaline species, previous germination studies have focused almost exclusively on sodium chloride, despite the prevalence of sulfate-dominated salinity in many salt-affected environments. In this study, we evaluated the effects of salt type (NaCl vs. Na₂SO₄) and salinity level (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of sea water salinity) on seed germination of three natural populations from ecologically contrasting environments under controlled conditions. Germination percentage, rate and period and post-stress recovery were quantified. Seed germination responses were strongly site-dependent and differed markedly between salt types. Seeds from the inland saline population exhibited a euhalophytic germination pattern with low germination in distilled water and enhanced germination at moderate NaCl and Na₂SO₄ concentrations. In contrast, seeds from coastal populations showed the classical decline in germination with increasing salinity but displayed a high capacity for post-stress recovery, particularly under sulfate salinity. These results demonstrate that S. neei harbors substantial intraspecific variation in germination responses to both salt type and concentration, reflecting adaptation to local ionic environments. Our findings underscore the relevance of considering population-level variation when selecting plant material for biosaline agriculture and ecological restoration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary strategies targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and cholinergic dysfunction are increasingly investigated as supportive approaches for maintaining cognitive health. Soups constitute a practical functional food matrix due to their compositional complexity and suitability for regular consumption. However, their bioactivity may be substantially altered during digestion. Methods: Previously, we created optimized mushroom, asparagus, leek, and sea buckthorn vegan lunch soups rich in cholinesterase inhibitors. This study evaluated digestion-induced changes in anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities using a standardized static in vitro digestion model (INFOGEST). Results: Fresh soups contained 90.43–247.36 µg GAE/cm³ of total polyphenols, which significantly decreased during oral–intestinal digestion, followed by stabilization or partial recovery during the colonic phase. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities showed soup-specific and digestion stage-dependent patterns, with an overall decline after bacterial incubation. Antioxidant capacity assessed by DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, and cyclic voltammetry revealed dynamic redox shifts across digestion stages, while endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GR, GPx) and COX-2 activity were differentially modulated. Cell-based assays demonstrated low cytotoxicity and moderate, concentration-dependent cytokine modulation. Conclusions: Overall, gastrointestinal digestion and microbial activity markedly reshape the bioactivity of plant-based soups, indicating that the colonic phase is critical for realistic evaluation of functional food potential and supporting digestion-aware assessment of dietary strategies relevant to cognitive and inflammatory health. Full article

Understanding halophyte responses to agronomic management in saline environments is crucial for optimizing their cultivation. This study assessed the physiological and biochemical responses of three halophytic species, ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.), romeritos (Suaeda edulis Flores Olv. and Noguez), and sea asparagus (Salicornia europaea L.) cultivated in half-strength seawater aquaponics (approximately 250 mM NaCl) under the following rooting media treatments: (C) untreated rearing water (RW), (pH) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW, (pH+S) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW with nutrient supplementation, and (NS) standard nutrient solution + 5 mM NaCl. Salinity was the primary factor influencing plant responses, while agronomic management played a secondary role. Ice plants exhibited stable growth across treatments due to their strong succulence, high water content, and antioxidative system, requiring minimal management, though optimal pH may enhance nutrient availability. Romeritos showed high treatment variability yet maintained biomass production via Na⁺ compartmentalization, with C treatment supporting better osmotic regulation, while pH adjustments and mineral supplementation induced stress under HSW. Sea asparagus sustained growth across all treatments, likely due to effective K⁺ retention and osmoregulation, reducing the need for additional management. These findings highlight species-specific salinity tolerance mechanisms and suggest that minimal agronomic management can effectively support halophyte cultivation in saline aquaponic systems. Full article

Water scarcity poses a significant threat to food security, particularly in coastal, arid, and semi-arid regions. To address this challenge, a half-strength seawater aquaponics system (approximately 250 mM NaCl) was developed to cultivate halophytes. This study investigated the growth performance of three halophytic species—ice plant, romeritos, and sea asparagus—to assess their adaptability and optimal agronomic management in a saline aquaponics setting. After rearing tilapia in half-strength seawater, four treatments were applied to the rooting medium: untreated half-strength seawater aquaculture rearing water (HSW) (C), pH-adjusted (5.5) HSW (pH), pH-adjusted (5.5) HSW supplemented with additional nutrients (pH+S), and a standard nutrient solution (NS). The findings revealed that ice plant growth was significantly enhanced by pH adjustment and nutrient supplementation, leading to improved water and potassium absorption. Conversely, romeritos and sea asparagus demonstrated stable growth across treatments, likely due to high sodium accumulation and consistent water uptake despite elevated salinity. Sea asparagus exhibited dependency on high salinity, while romeritos showed increased phosphorus accumulation with nutrient supplementation. This study suggests that while pH adjustments favor ice plant growth, romeritos and sea asparagus are resilient across diverse salinity conditions, highlighting saline aquaponics as a viable approach for halophyte cultivation in water-scarce environments. Full article

Halophytes, such as Salicornia species, are promising new foods and are consumed for their pleasant salty taste and nutritional value. Since Salicornia is perishable, modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) can be a useful tool, in combination with proper temperature, to halt further quality degradation in this type of product. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of MAP, with or without refrigeration, to extend the shelf life of glasswort (Salicornia europaea L.) grown hydroponically (floating raft system) in a greenhouse with a nutrient solution containing 0 g/L (C) or 12.5 g/L of NaCl (T). The dry matter content, weight loss, respiration rate, biochemical composition, color, antioxidant capacity, and sensorial attributes were determined in shoots after harvest and during storage in plastic bags filled with technical air or with MAP at 4 or 20 °C for 120 h. At harvest, plants supplied with salt-enriched solution (T) showed a significant improvement in nutritional value and sensory profile. Storage in air at room temperature (20 °C) accelerated weight loss and diminished color stability, particularly in non-salinity samples (C), while MAP extended the shelf life of all the samples regardless of the storage temperature adopted. Optimal storage conditions were observed when MAP was combined with refrigeration, which allowed to effectively preserve shoots sensory acceptability for a period of about seven days. Future research could further explore the long-term effects on the nutritional value and sensory quality of S. europaea under various combinations of MAP and different storage temperatures ranging between 4 °C and 20 °C. Full article

Cultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to optimize the germination of edible halophytes under greenhouse conditions, focusing on select soil (salinity and substrate) and non-soil-related factors (chemical and mechanical treatments). The target species were selected for their commercial value and included Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (crystalline iceplant), Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods (sea asparagus), Medicago marina L. (sea medick), Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (European beachgrass), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), and Atriplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush). Salinity negatively impacted germination rates (GRs) and delayed mean germination time (MGT) across species. P. oleracea had the highest GR (95.6%) in coco peat under freshwater irrigation, and the shortest MGT (5.2 days). A. halimus did not germinate under the tested conditions. Scarification with sulfuric acid improved the GR of M. marina by 42.2%, while scarification with ultrasounds improved the GR of A. arenaria by 35.5%. Our results indicate that the choice of substrate and the application of specific treatments like scarification can significantly improve the germination of certain halophyte species under variable saline conditions. Full article

Among halophyte plants, Salicornia species (also known as glasswort or sea asparagus) are increasingly grown in open fields and greenhouses for edible or non-edible purposes. Their salinity tolerance makes it possible to irrigate Salicornia plants with saline waters and even seawater, which cannot be used by other crop species. In this work, S. europaea (L.) was cultivated in pots under the typical climatic conditions of the fall season in the Mediterranean region and irrigated with non-saline standard nutrient solution (SNS) or saline wastewater discharged from a greenhouse semi-closed hydroponic (substrate) culture of tomato or a saltwater recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with Gilthead sea bream (Spaurus aurata L., which was used as such or after dilution (50:50) with SNS. Plant growth was not significantly affected by the composition of irrigation water, while higher antioxidant capacity (measured using the DPPH assay) and concentration of photosynthetic pigments, phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid were found in the shoots of SNS plants than in those of plants irrigated with wastewater. The level of lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ production significantly increased in the SNS plants, which also showed higher activity of superoxide dismutase and lower activity of catalase. These results suggest that S. europaea can be cultivated using wastewater with moderate to high salinity discharged from greenhouse hydroponic crops or RASs, and that salt is not strictly required for the growth of this species. Using non-saline nutrient solution can result in moderate oxidative stress that improves the shoot quality of S. europaea. Full article

Salicornia ramosissima, commonly known as glasswort or sea asparagus, is a halophyte plant cultivated for human consumption that is often referred to as a sea vegetable rich in health-promoting n-3 fatty acids (FAs). Yet, the effect of abiotic conditions, such as salinity and temperature, on the FA profile of S. ramosissima remains largely unknown. These factors can potentially shape its nutritional composition and yield unique fatty acid signatures that can reveal its geographical origin. In this context, samples of S. ramosissima were collected from four different locations along the coastline of mainland Portugal and their FAs were profiled through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The lipid extracts displayed a high content of essential FAs, such as 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. In addition to an epoxide fatty acid exclusively identified in samples from the Mondego estuary, the relative abundance of FAs varied between origin sites, revealing that FA profiles can be used as site-specific lipid fingerprints. This study highlights the role of abiotic conditions on the nutritional profile of S. ramosissima and establishes FA profiling as a potential avenue to trace the geographic origin of this halophyte plant. Overall, the present approach can make origin certification possible, safeguard quality, and enhance consumers’ trust in novel foods. Full article

Salicornia bigelovii Torr. is a potential new crop for coastal and saline lands, because of the oil content of its seeds, its properties as fresh vegetable, forage, and other uses. As a true halophyte, it can grow with seawater irrigation. The aim of this study was to determine the phenology and water requirements of Salicornia as a new plant resource in growing areas for salt-tolerant crops in coastal and saline lands, and elucidate scenarios of sustainability about these issues. Water requirements were estimated in experimental plots on the coastal line and fulfilled with drip irrigation connected to seawater aquaculture discharge ponds, 30 m from the sea. The recorded phenological events were germination, flowering, fructification, maturation, and physiological death. Results reflect the difficulty to adopt it as a new crop because of its long-life cycle, around nine months, contrasting with the life cycle of common crops, from three to four months. Irrigation needs reached a depth of 240 cm, significantly exceeding those of conventional crops. Such limitations are highlighted, but also its potential use as a biofilter of coastal aquaculture effluents, being a productive target-biomass, feasible to be used as a dual-purpose use of water and energy required in aquaculture farms. Full article

Small succulent halophytic shrubs of the genera Salicornia and Sarcocornia (Salicornioideae, Amaranthaceae) are commonly named sea asparagus and consumed worldwide as green salad in gourmet food, as conserves, and beverages. Their shoots are rich in bioactive compounds and plants show high yields in a wide range of salinities, but little is known about how salt cultivation conditions affect their chemical composition. Two genotypes (BTH1 and BTH2) of the Brazilian sea asparagus Salicornia neei Lag. were evaluated for salt tolerance and changes in shoot concentrations of organic metabolites and antioxidant activity under different salt exposure in both greenhouse and field conditions. All greenhouse plants received full strength modified Hoagland solution in deionized water with a basic electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.7 dS m⁻¹, and with NaCl concentrations (in mM) of ~0.1 (control), 34, 86, 171, 513, and 769. After fifty days of cultivation, both S. neei genotypes showed high salt tolerance and grew better under low salinities (34–86 mM NaCl) than under control salinity. Shoots of BTH1 genotype appeared to be undergoing lignification and used their high carotenoid content to dissipate the oxidative power, and the zeaxanthin content and de-epoxidation state of xanthophylls (DES) were positively affected by salinity. Under increasing salinity, BTH2 genotype had higher relative content of chlorophyll b, which may have lowered the plant photo-oxidation rate, and increased shoot concentration of the flavonoid quercetin (up to 11.6 μg g⁻¹ dw at 769 mM NaCl), leading to higher antioxidant capacity. In the field experiment, after 154 days of irrigation with saline (213 mM NaCl) shrimp farm effluent, BTH2 plants grew taller, produced more metabolites (e.g., total phenolics, total free flavonoids, quercetin, and protocatechuic acid) and had a greater antioxidant capacity of shoots than that of BTH1 plants and that of traditional crops irrigated with fresh water. Yield and bioactive compound composition of S. neei genotypes’ shoots can be enhanced by cultivation under moderate saline conditions. Full article