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BACKGROUND: Glasswort represents a novel alternative to KCl for replacing sodium in meat products. To evaluate the effects of Na reduction on the quality changes of a traditional dry cured belly due to storage, fresh bellies were dry‐salted with 2% NaCl (BCON), with 2% of a mixture containing 50% NaCl and 50% KCl (BKCl) or with 1% of a mixture of 90% NaCl and 10% powdered glasswort (BGW), dry‐cured, sliced, vacuum packaged and stored under refrigeration for 60 days. RESULTS: The BKCl and BGW bellies were lower in sodium by one‐third to one‐half compared to BCON (with 1.6 g Na/100 g). Neither BKCl, nor BGW significantly differed from BCON in free fatty acids (FFA) before and after storage, whereas BGW showed almost twice as much 2‐methylbutanal content as BCON. All bellies showed microbiological stability during storage. Micrococcaceae was the most abundant microbial group with values of 105 to 106 colony‐forming units g−1. The BGW presented higher Micrococcaceae counts (approximately one log unit) but lower microbial biodiversity than BCON. CONCLUSION: The two alternative dry salting methods reduced the sodium content in bellies, at the same time as ensuring chemical and microbiological stability during refrigerated vacuum storage. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the impact of Salicornia supplementation on the biological efficiency and biochemical properties of white Elm oyster mushrooms, Hypsizygus ulmarius. Four substrates were used to cultivate the mushrooms. Wheat straw was used as the main substrate and the Salicornia was used to partially replace the main substrate at the ratios of 5, 10, and 20% while 100% wheat straw was used as the control. The study found that the 20% Salicornia completed the mycelial run earlier (41 days), while the control treatment took the longest (45 days). The 5% Salicornia supplemented treatment and control treatment had the highest and lowest biological efficiencies (126 and 65%) respectively. The elemental concentration was undetectable for Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd). The mushrooms from the control had the highest while those from the 20% treatment had the lowest (Zinc (Zn) levels (0.0115 ug/100 g) and 0.0078 ug/100 g). Conversely, Chromium (Cr) levels were highest and lowest in the 20% (0.0022 ug/100 g) and control treatments (0.0007 ug/100 g). Similarly, the total unsaturated fatty acids were highest in the control treatment (78%) and lowest in the 20% treatment (69%) while the opposite was true for the saturated fatty acids (22% and 31%). The mushrooms investigated in this study had higher essential amino acids (44–49%) compared to non-essential amino acids (17–20%). The results from this study suggest that Salicornia is a promising marine resource with the potential to enhance the health-promoting properties of oyster mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Climate change causing deficiencies in freshwater resources and increasing salinity of soil and groundwater will lead to a scarcity of forage for ruminants in some countries. Halophyte crops that are adapted to soil and water salinity and high temperatures could provide suitable forage under these harsh conditions. Salicornia is an annual herbaceous halophyte belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, which has more than 175 genera and 2000 species of herbs and is a small shrub. Salicornia grows in temperate and subtropical climates and has yielded from 10 to 20 t/ha of dry biomass when irrigated with seawater. Salicornia is one of the few halophyte plants that can grow with direct use of sea water, although the salinity tolerance threshold of the plant is low in the germination stage. According to the limited studies related to the nutrition of halophyte plants in ruminants, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional value and degradability of different ecotypes of Salicornia spp. in in vitro condition. Materials and Methods: First, Salicornia samples were collected from the farms of Urmia and Gamishan cities, and immediately after harvesting from the farm, the sample weight was determined to determine the dry matter (DM). In order to evaluate the nutritional value of Salicornia, chemical composition, minerals, gas production and degradability of DM were measured by in vitro. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the DM percentage of Salicornia was 92 in Urmia ecotype and 85.31 in Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). Salicornia crude fat percentage was 2.50 in Urmia ecotype and 1.20 in Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The ash content of Salicornia fodder in Urmia ecotype was 19.40%. The percentage of NDF and ADF of Salicornia in Urmia ecotype was lower than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The amount of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese and iron of Salicornia in Urmia ecotype was higher than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). The amount of potassium, copper and zinc in Salicornia was similar between Urmia and Gamishan ecotypes. The amount of gas production of Salicornia fodder in Urmia ecotype was higher than Gamishan ecotype at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 72 hours of incubation (P<0.05); While at 96 hours of incubation, the amount of gas production of Salicornia in Gamishan ecotype increased significantly compared to Urmia ecotype (P<0.05). The gas production potential (A) and gas production rate (C) were higher in Gamishan and Urmia ecotypes, respectively (P<0.05). The results showed that Metabolic energy, net energy and short chain fatty acids obtained from the gas production in Salicornia were higher in Urmia ecotype than Gamishan ecotype (P<0.05). In the Urmia and Gamishan ecotypes, the degradability of the rapidly degradable fraction (a) of Salicornia was 29.04% and 45.47 and slowly degradable fraction (b) 39.24%, and 38.17%, respectively. Effective degradability of Salicornia assuming passage rates of 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 per hour in Urmia ecotype was 46.59, 42.37 and 40.20%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, according to the higher amount of produced gas and estimated energy and short chain fatty acids in Urmia ecotype; its use in ruminant nutrition is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The study examined the impact of Salicornia supplementation on the biological efficiency and biochemical properties of white Elm oyster mushrooms, Hypsizygus ulmarius. Four substrates were used to cultivate the mushrooms. Wheat straw was used as the main substrate and the Salicornia was used to partially replace the main substrate at the ratios of 5, 10, and 20% while 100% wheat straw was used as the control. The study found that the 20% Salicornia completed the mycelial run earlier (41 days), while the control treatment took the longest (45 days). The 5% Salicornia supplemented treatment and control treatment had the highest and lowest biological efficiencies (126 and 65%) respectively. The elemental concentration was undetectable for Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd). The mushrooms from the control had the highest while those from the 20% treatment had the lowest (Zinc (Zn) levels (0.0115 ug/100 g) and 0.0078 ug/100 g). Conversely, Chromium (Cr) levels were highest and lowest in the 20% (0.0022 ug/100 g) and control treatments (0.0007 ug/100 g). Similarly, the total unsaturated fatty acids were highest in the control treatment (78%) and lowest in the 20% treatment (69%) while the opposite was true for the saturated fatty acids (22% and 31%). The mushrooms investigated in this study had higher essential amino acids (44–49%) compared to non-essential amino acids (17–20%). The results from this study suggest that Salicornia is a promising marine resource with the potential to enhance the health-promoting properties of oyster mushrooms.

Soil salinity is one of the major problems that threaten the soils in Jordan, which led to a decrease in the percentage of arable land in Jordan. The phytoremediation process is concerned with the restoration of contaminated soils using tolerant plants, such as halophyte plants. In this context, the potential short-term phytoremediation ability of Panicum Mombasa and Salicornia Europaea was evaluated and measured. A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years to study the ability of these previous two crops for the phytoremediation of saline soils induced by treated wastewater irrigation. Both crops with bare soil as a control were irrigated together from the effluent of the Ramtha Wastewater Treatment Plant at the same time. Soil electrical conductivity was identified as the main parameter for measuring the plant's ability for salt absorption. The results for both seasons show a higher accumulation of salts in bare soil significantly as expected since no plants were present to absorb these salts and no leaching requirements were added with irrigation water. The absorption rate for each crop was measured at the 1st season for comparison. It is measured for each crop depending on the length of the growing season. Salicornia's absorption rate was greater than Panicum, and it reached 36 ppm/day for salicornia, whereas it reached 33 ppm/day for panicum. In the 2nd season, both crops are planted and harvested together. Salt absorbed percentage from the soil under Salicornia was greater than Panicum and it reached 73 % as compared to bare soil. However, in the soils under Panicum, the amount of salts absorbed reached 37 % as compared to bare soil. Plant analysis for both crops shows higher salt ions accumulation in Salicornia tissues than Panicum, and this explains the higher absorption rate for Salicornia than Panicum. Microbiological analysis for Panicum shows some contamination, whereas no contamination occurs in Salicornia. This is explained by the high salinity environment in Salicornia which is not favorable for e-coil, total, and fecal coliform to grow. The obtained Results from this research state that both crops have the ability for phytoremediation, with greater ability for Salicornia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nomenclatural status and typification of the names Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, Salicornia fruticosa, S. fruticosa var. deflexa, S. fruticosa var. glaucescens, S. fruticosa var. intermedia, S. fruticosa var. humilis, S. fruticosa var. pachystachya, S. fruticulosa, S. glauca, S. lignosa, S. macrostachya var. virescens, S. macrostachya var. glaucescens, S. perennis, S. radicans, S. radicans var. caespitosa, S. sarmentosa, S. sempervirens, and S. virginica, as well as an unnamed β-variety of S. fruticosa proposed by A. Bertoloni, are investigated. Concerning A. macrostachyum, we document that the type indicated in literature (G00177362) is not a holotype, and that lectotypification is necessary. A specimen from G (G00687638) is here designated as a lectotype. On the level of variety, Arthrocnemum fruticosum var. macrostachyum is an earlier legitimate name for Salicornia fruticosa var. pachystachya. Furthermore, Piirainen et al. are incorrect when citing Forsskål's "Salicornia" from Alexandria as "S. virginica Forssk."; it is not a new name and should be cited as S. virginica auct. non L., as published in Forsskål's Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Like with numerous other parallel cases in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica, Forsskål's designation of "Salicornia virginica" for an Arabian plant is to be considered a misapplication of the earlier Linnaean name for an American plant. Arthrocnemum glaucum (a nomen illegitimum of Ungern-Sternberg), was listed as type species of Arthrocnemum by the Names in Current Use project; the basionym, Salicornia glauca Delile, is here lectotypified and identified as Arthrocaulon meridionale, published by Ramirez et al. Updated synonymies of Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, A. meridionale, Salicornia fruticosa, and S. perennis are proposed. Salicornia sempervirens is an invalid name according to Art. 36.1a of ICN. No original material was found for S. radicans var. caespitosa. This paper also refer to lecto- or neotypifications on specimens deposited at BM, G, LINN-HS, LY, MPU, NAP, and PAL, and their current taxonomic positions are suggested in a taxonomic part of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of diet in preventing non-communicable diseases is well established, with polyphenol consumption suggested to impact cardiovascular disease development. Salicornia ramosissima synthesizes high amounts of phytochemicals under environmental stress. In a randomized controlled clinical trial on 90 healthy volunteers, we evaluated the safety of supplementation with 1 g of polyphenol-rich S. ramosissima extracts from salt marshes and hydroponic sources over three months. No differences in adverse effects were observed between extract-treated and placebo subjects. Salicornia extract from marshes (SM) increased glomerular filtration rate and reduced LDL cholesterol. SM treatment also modulated plasma markers related to cardiovascular disease: MERTK, Gal-9, ADM, TF, PRSS27, HAOX1, IL-18, PAPPA, TNFRSF1A, TIE2 and FGF-21 proteins were downregulated while SRC levels were upregulated. Therefore, under the studied conditions of use, Salicornia extracts consumption is safe and SM induced biochemical and proteomic changes related to cardiovascular health.

The goal of the research was to develop a technology for introducing Salicornia europaea L.into in vitro culture. Methods of cultivating meristems and callus cultures were studied. To cultivate meristems, the tip of the apical bud were used as an explant. Fragments of stems and leaves were used toobtain callus tissue. To study the influence of various factors on germination, seeds were soaked in sterile tap water and in solutions of gibberellin, cytokinin, auxin and NaCl, and were also subjected to cold stratification (independently and with subsequent placement in Knop’s agarized medium). Salicornia seeds were sterilized with various antiseptics: 70% alcohol, 10% aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite («Belizna»), amoxicillinand 3% hydrogen peroxide. The ability of the culture to form callus was studied in MS medium. As a result, it was determined that the highest germination of seeds was observed in Knop medium after treating theseeds with a suspension of green algae of the Scenedesmus genus, as well as after preliminary cold stratification, and slightly less after treating the seeds with a solution of NaCl and gibberellic acid. The most effective method of seed sterilization turned out to be treatment with alcohol followed by treatment with sodium hypochlorite. A comparative analysis of seed germination in filter paper in Petri dishes, Knop agar medium, Murashige and Skoog (hormone-free) was carried out. The ability of S. europaea L. to form callusin MS medium with phytohormones was assessed. Conclusion. To improve germination, it is recommended to subject the seeds to cold stratification. To obtain aseptic explants quickly, it is recommended to germinate the seeds in the Knop nutrient medium, having previously sterilized them with alcohol, then with sodiumhypochlorite, followed by washing with distilled water. The most suitable type of microclonal propagationfor S. europaea L. is the production of callus tissue followed by induction of organogenesis or embryogenesis.

This work explains the optimized synthesis process and preparation of a novel environmentally friend biodiesel from Salicornia as a drought-resistant and saltwater tolerant plant. Also, it presents the comparative results on thermal and emission characteristics due to the application of this biodiesel in a combustion system. For this purpose, after obtaining the Salicornia plant seeds, the effects of the extraction methods on the performance of the oil extraction process were investigated. The results showed that compared to other methods, the ultrasonic probe extraction method achieved the highest oil efficiency. The synthesis of biodiesel from salicornia seed oil was carried out in the presence functionalized nano catalysts during transesterification reaction. The results of gas chromatography revealed a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids and a low percentage of saturated fatty acids in the profile of biodiesel fatty acids. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, the dominant acid was linoleic acid (61%), and among the saturated fatty acids, the dominant acid was palmitic acid (8.4%). Finally, in order to investigate the emission performance of biodiesel, a blend of the synthesized biodiesel with diesel fuel (B10) was prepared and burned by a burner in a laboratory furnace. Then, using a KIGAS 310 gas analyzer, the concentrations CO and NOx pollutant emissions at the outlet of the furnace were measured and compared with diesel fuel. The obtained results showed that compared to diesel fuel the B10 blend fuel reduces the emission of CO and NOx 14% and 34%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Phytoremediation experiments were carried out to investigate the ability of two species of Salicornia persica and Salicornia perspolitana for the extraction of heavy metals including aluminum, iron and copper. In this study, manure and biochar were applied to improve phytoremediation performance. Methods: The two species of S. persica and S. perspolitana were grown outdoor in experimental pots. The effect of experimental treatments including manure and biochar on the two species was investigated. Results: The results showed that biochar significantly influenced (p < 0.05) on the accumulation of heavy metals in both S.persica and S. perspolitana. In biochar treatment, the values of heavy metals in roots and shoots were found to be 3327 mg/kg, 109.17 mg/kg for aluminum, 3527 mg/kg and 142.17 mg/kg for iron, and 73.93 mg/kg and 11.90 mg/kg for copper, respectively. In the manure treatment, the values of heavy metals in the roots and shoots were reported as 3993 mg/kg and 119.29 mg/kg for aluminum, 5542 mg/kg and 179.17 mg/kg for iron and 78.67 mg/kg and 12.74 mg/kg for copper, respectively. Conclusions: In general, the accumulation of heavy metals in S. perspolitana was higher than S. persica, and our results indicated that the use of biochar and manure caused stabilization of heavy metals in the soil and consequently reduced accumulation of heavy metals in both S. persica and S. perspolitana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The nomenclatural status and typification of the names Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, Salicornia fruticosa, S. fruticosa var. deflexa, S. fruticosa var. glaucescens, S. fruticosa var. intermedia, S. fruticosa var. humilis, S. fruticosa var. pachystachya, S. fruticulosa, S. glauca, S. lignosa, S. macrostachya var. virescens, S. macrostachya var. glaucescens, S. perennis, S. radicans, S. radicans var. caespitosa, S. sarmentosa, S. sempervirens, and S. virginica, as well as an unnamed β-variety of S. fruticosa proposed by A. Bertoloni, are investigated. Concerning A. macrostachyum, we document that the type indicated in literature (G00177362) is not a holotype, and that lectotypification is necessary. A specimen from G (G00687638) is here designated as a lectotype. On the level of variety, Arthrocnemum fruticosum var. macrostachyum is an earlier legitimate name for Salicornia fruticosa var. pachystachya. Furthermore, Piirainen et al. are incorrect when citing Forsskål’s “Salicornia” from Alexandria as “S. virginica Forssk.”; it is not a new name and should be cited as S. virginica auct. non L., as published in Forsskål’s Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Like with numerous other parallel cases in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica, Forsskål’s designation of “Salicornia virginica” for an Arabian plant is to be considered a misapplication of the earlier Linnaean name for an American plant. Arthrocnemum glaucum (a nomen illegitimum of Ungern-Sternberg), was listed as type species of Arthrocnemum by the Names in Current Use project; the basionym, Salicornia glauca Delile, is here lectotypified and identified as Arthrocaulon meridionale, published by Ramirez et al. Updated synonymies of Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, A. meridionale, Salicornia fruticosa, and S. perennis are proposed. Salicornia sempervirens is an invalid name according to Art. 36.1a of ICN. No original material was found for S. radicans var. caespitosa. This paper also refer to lecto- or neotypifications on specimens deposited at BM, G, LINN-HS, LY, MPU, NAP, and PAL, and their current taxonomic positions are suggested in a taxonomic part of the paper.

Novel solutions for ensuring food security have to be established in the context of a growing world population, and rising climate restrictions on agriculture and agriculturally usable lands. Simultaneously, there is a rising demand for healthy functional foods in today's world population. Edible halophytes could be part of the solution, as they are capable to grow in saline environments and contain several bioactive compounds. The exploitation of these salt-tolerant plants in the formulation of novel functional dairy products is demonstrated. Therefore, the focus of this research is on the development of suited dairy products with the addition of different concentrations of Salicornia europaea biomass, while measuring the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity with the egg albumin denaturation method. The inhibition of protein denaturation observed is equivalent to the anti-inflammatory capabilities of the steroid reference drug hydrocortisone. Therefore, these initial results indicate that the formulation of cream cheese products with the addition of S. europaea biomass can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Seedling germination and establishment are one of the most sensitive stages of plant life that play a role in plant production, proper plant establishment, plant density, and uniformity and management goals. Osmotic stress has a significant effect on germination percentage and rate. Salicornia persica is an annual halophyte plant that can grow in saline environments. According to the studies and the importance of determining the tolerances of salinity and drought tolerance in germination and plant establishment, this study aimed to investigate the effect of osmotic potentials of polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride on germination and fit of time-moisture and time-salinity models of Salicornia seeds. Materials and Methods In order to investigate the effect of osmotic potentials caused by polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride on germination and fit of Hydrotime and Halotime models of Salicornia seeds, two experiments were conducted based on a completely randomized design at Yasouj University in 2020. The first experimental in drought stress treatments included 13 levels of osmotic potential (zero, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2, -1.5, -1.8, -21, -2.4, -2.7, - 3, 3.3 and -3.6 MPa) which were made of polyethylene glycol 6000 and second in salinity stress included 13 levels of sodium chloride concentration that was iso-osmotic with first experiment (Zero, 62, 122, 187, 249, 311, 368, 435, 498, 560, 622, 684 and 745 mM). After the end of the germination period, the characteristics of germination rate and percentage were calculated and the hydrotime model was used to describe the relationship between germination and water potential, and the halotime model was used to describe the relationship between germination and salinity. To select the best model among the osmotic potentials, root mean square parameters and R2 were used. Results and Discussion The results of mean comparison of effect of osmotic potentials on the percentage of germination showed that in PEG and NaCl treatment, it was almost 100% up to the level of-1.2 and -1.5 MPa, respectively, and after that, a decreasing trend was observed, so that at the level of -3.3 MP showed a decrease of about 90 and 85%, respectively. The output results of the models showed that the coefficient of the hydrotime and halotime models were 96.8 MPa.h and 16181.87 mM.h, respectively, and the drought and salinity tolerance thresholds were -3.28 MPa and 714.62 mM, respectively. The halotime model quantified the germination of Salicornia seeds better than the hydrotime model. Drought stress limits the absorption of water by seeds and affects germination by reducing the movement and transfer of seed reserves or by directly affecting the structure and synthesis of protein in the embryo. Salinity increases the osmotic pressure of the solution and reduces water absorption through the seeds. On the other hand, high salinity causes toxicity and disturbs the ionic balance and reduces seed germination by affecting the vital interactions of the seed. Conclusion The rate of decrease in germination rate and percentage in drought stress was higher than salinity stress. Based on the results of this study, using the halotime model in biological studies of halophyte plants under osmotic stress, the tolerance threshold and the time required for germination at different salt concentrations can be well determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Salicornia genus has great potential in agrifood industries because of its nutritional benefits related to its high content of antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids. A nontargeted method based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography–electrospray orbitrap data-dependent MS2/MS3 and the fragment ion search (FISh) strategy was developed to screen flavonoids in Salicornia plants. An extensive study of fragmentation of a set of flavonoid standards allowed for the definition of 15 characteristic fragment ions for flagging flavonoids in the plant matrix. The nontargeted analysis was applied to Salicornia europaea species and allowed for the annotation of 25 candidate flavonoids, including 14 that had not been reported previously. Structural prediction of two unreported flavonoids and their isomeric forms was based on an advanced data processing method using an in silico approach and in-house databases compiling flavonoid-specific chemical substitution. Finally, the method developed allowed for the optimization of extraction yields of flavonoids from the plant matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives Due to the limitations of freshwater resources, using other sources, such as drainage and seawater, is inevitable for fodder production by halophytes. Salicornia species are the most salttolerant plants (Eu-halophytes) that grow directly in seawater. The plant shoots could be used with common fodder plants for livestock feeding. After oil extraction, Salicornia seeds contain 43% protein. The research objective was to select the most suitable Salicornia species in terms of yield and fodder quality in Bushehr Province. Methodology To investigate the yield and nutritional value of Salicornia, this research was carried out on Salicornia bigelovii and four native ecotypes, including Bushehr ecotype (S. sinus persica Akhani), Central Plateau ecotype (S. persica Akhani subsp. Sersica), Urmiai, Gorgan and Markazi ecotypes at the Salinity Research Station of Bushehr Province. The area is characterized by a warm and wet climate with low annual precipitation (217 mm) and high annual average temperature (24.0 ℃). A three-replicate randomized complete block design was used. The field was planted by seed sowing and irrigated with Persian Gulf water (60 dS m-1). Aerial plant samples were prepared at vegetative growth to determine the fodder nutritional value of different plant species and ecotypes. Values of aerial ash, crude protein, non-protein nitrogen content (NPN), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and metabolizable energy were measured. At the end of the growing season, an area of one square meter was taken from each experimental unit to determine biomass dry weight. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan's test at the 5% level. Results Results showed a significant difference in dry biomass between different Salicornia species and ecotypes. Bushehr, Central Plateau, Urmia, Gorgan ecotypes, and S. bigelovii dry biomass amounts were 18.29, 14.64, 4.22, 4.60, and 6.71 tons ha-1, respectively. The highest and lowest values of shoot ash were 54% and 46% of dry matter for Busher and S. bigelovii, respectively. There was no significant difference between species and ecotypes in crude aerial protein. The crude protein content of aerial varied between 6.9 in the Central Plateau and 8.6 in Bushehr ecotypes. The metabolizable energy of fodder was estimated between 5.17 and 5.74 MJ kg-1 of dry matter; the lowest and highest were attributed to the S. bigelovii and Urmia ecotypes, respectively. The highest and lowest cell wall indicators of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were related to the Gorgan and Bushehr ecotypes, respectively. Fodder gas production for different Salicornia species and ecotypes was significantly lower than for alfalfa during incubation. Among different species and ecotypes of Salicornia, the highest and lowest gas production rates were related to S. bigelovii and Urmia ecotypes. Conclusion To provide livestock fodder on the province's coasts, the Bushehr ecotype (Salicornia sinus persica Akhani) is generally recommended for planting due to its high yield and adaptability to the region. However, due to the relatively high ash content of the plant, only a part of the livestock feed could be provided by the plant fodder. Therefore, to properly use the plant fodder in livestock feed, it is necessary to determine the daily consumption of fodder in the ration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has significantly impacted food shortages over the past decades, and predicted projections have also indicated potentially intensive consequences for species diversity and natural environments in the coming decades. Climate change in the form of drought has resulted in environmental impacts on global dying lakes (GDLs), such as water scarcity, land degradation and food shortage. Thus, new comprehensive environmental impact assessment methods are urgently needed for GDLs to inform decision-making and minimise the negative impacts on the environment and human life and wellbeing. As state of art and progressive research, the main objective of this research is to develop an approach using a comprehensive and transferable geographic information science scenario-based suitability assessment to analyse the capability of halophyte plants as alternatives for crop modification in GDL areas. The approach was developed and examined for Salicornia suitability mapping in the Lake Urmia Basin as one of the most critical GDL cases. To obtain the ecological requirement information, we performed a scenario-based cultivation experiment on Salicornia under different salinity conditions. Accordingly, we employed relevant ecological requirements and environmental indictors for the Salicornia plant (e.g. soil characteristics and climate) to identify suitable areas for cultivating this plant under scenario-based spatial modelling and performed an uncertainty analysis. The results were achieved and validated in a field operation and laboratory analysis. According to the results, the Salicornia plant can be efficiently considered an alternative crop in farmlands around Lake Urmia that are impacted by intensive soil, aquifer salinisation and food production issues. Results pointed out that about 4.6% of the area (2372 km2) is highly suitable for the cultivation of Salicornia. As state of the art, our approach was developed in a semi-automated context but can also be customised and applied to similar case studies in GDL environments. We expect that the information and insights gained from such assessments will support stakeholders, decision makers and authorities in the development of effective policies and plans for mitigating the impacts of climate change on the fragile ecosystems of GDLs.

This work represents a morphological and molecular study of Salicornia and Sarcocornia species growing in the southern dryland of Tunisia. Internal transcribed spacers of the rDNA (ITS) data of six specimens from seven locations are analyzed. Flowers and seeds of Sarcocornia and Salicornia specimens are also compared. The results confirm the presence of Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J. Scott and two newly recorded species (Sarcocornia alpini (Lag.) Rivas Mart. and Salicornia emerici Duval-Jouve) in Tunisia. Flowers and seeds can be used to discriminate between the different specimens. Sarcocornia flowers have horizontal arrangement while Salicornia ones have triangular arrangement. The rounded and black seeds of S. fruticosa are the biggest. S. emerici seeds are light brown and elongated while those of S. alpini are flattened and dark brown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing interest in the consumption of halophytes as a healthy food in the last few years. Salicornia ramosissima is a seasonal Mediterranean halophyte with an interesting profile of bioactive compounds, including more than 60 identified polyphenols with a broad range of biological activities. Accumulating evidence supports the role of dietary polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke. Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide and it is estimated that a substantial proportion of stroke incidence and recurrence may be prevented by healthier dietary patterns. Here, we have grouped the phenolic acids and flavonoids identified in S. ramosissima and reviewed their potential protective effect on brain ischemia, which are mostly related to the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, the inhibition of cell death pathways and their role in the preservation of the vascular function. Despite the fact that most of these compounds have been reported to be neuroprotective through multiple mechanisms, human studies are still scarce. Given the safe profile of polyphenols identified in S. ramosissima, this halophyte plant could be considered as a source of bioactive compounds for the nutraceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean basin is rich in wild edible species which have been used for food and medicinal purposes by humans throughout the centuries. Many of these species can be found near coastal areas and usually grow under saline conditions, while others can adapt in various harsh conditions including high salinity. Many of these species have a long history of gathering from the wild as a source of food. The aim of this contribution is an overview on the most important halophyte species (Salicornia sp. pl., Arthrocaulon macrostachyum (Moric.) Piirainen & G. Kadereit, Soda inermis Fourr., Cakile maritima Scop., Crithmum maritimum L., Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth., Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke subsp. tenoreana (Colla) Soldano & F. Conti, Allium commutatum Guss., Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang., Capparis spinosa L.) that traditionally have been gathered by rural communities in southern Italy, with special interest on their ecology and distribution, traditional uses, medicinal properties, marketing and early attempts of cultivation. It is worth noting that these species have an attractive new cash crop for marsh marginal lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are among the most dangerous contaminants in the environment. Organic components and plant species that can accumulate and stabilize heavy metals in their organs are a good option for soil remediation of these elements. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of manure and biochar on the accumulation of heavy metals by Salicornia species. Salicornia persica Akhani and Salicornia perspolitana Akhani were cultivated outdoor in experimental pots. The effects of experimental treatments, including Cr (VI) concentrations, manure, and biochar on the two studied species, were investigated. The results indicated a significant effect (p < 0.05) of biochar on the accumulation of heavy metals by two species, S. persica and S. perspolitana, so that Cr concentrations in the roots and shoots were 258 and 5.41 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, Cr accumulations under manure treatments in the roots and shoots were 334.34 and 9.79 mg/kg, respectively. The content of photosynthetic pigments in both S. persica and S. perspolitana species under biochar treatment was higher than in control and manure treatments. In general, one can conclude that the accumulation of Cr in S. perspolitana was higher than in S. persica. Applying biochar and manure amendments could stabilize Cr in soil and reduce Cr accumulation in both S. persica and S. perspolitana species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Salicornia is a halophyte plant capable of being irrigated with seawater, which can be used as an alternative food. Given this, it is necessary to study the potentials of this plant’s morphological diversity in the natural environment. In this study, 33 wild populations of Salicornia were collected from different geographical areas around Urmia Lake during the flowering stage, and 55 morphological traits and 25 ISSR loci of the plant were analyzed. Based on morphological and molecular traits and the cluster analysis, Salicornia populations were divided into four and two groups, respectively. Results Overall, the high percentage of polymorphic loci (65.69%), the average number of effective alleles per locus (1.63), and the Shannon data index (0.540) indicate that ISSR markers was used to identify genetic diversity. Molecular data cluster analysis divided the studied populations into two main groups, which included 12.12% and 87.88% of the populations, respectively. Based on the effective analysis of the population’s genetic structure and the precise classification of individuals into suitable sub-populations, the value of K=2 was calculated. Conclusions The research findings indicated that the populations of Salicornia have a considerable diversity in morphological traits. Furthermore, markers UBC823, B, A7, and K, as well as markers with the Shannon index, effective allele, and large heterozygosis values, are the most effective markers in comparison with other markers used in this study. The findings of this study will aid in parental selection studies for breeding programs of Salicornia in future.

[Display omitted] • Three-month oral supplementation with S. ramosissima extracts was found safe in healthy volunteers. •.Minor adverse effects, mostly gastrointestinal and urinary, showed no significant difference from placebo. • Biochemical changes with Salicornia treatment included lowered LDL, increased GFR, reduced homocysteine and GGT, and higher potassium. •. S. ramosissima supplementation led to changes in plasma biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease. The importance of diet in preventing non-communicable diseases is well established, with polyphenol consumption suggested to impact cardiovascular disease development. Salicornia ramosissima synthesizes high amounts of phytochemicals under environmental stress. In a randomized controlled clinical trial on 90 healthy volunteers, we evaluated the safety of supplementation with 1 g of polyphenol-rich S. ramosissima extracts from salt marshes and hydroponic sources over three months. No differences in adverse effects were observed between extract-treated and placebo subjects. Salicornia extract from marshes (SM) increased glomerular filtration rate and reduced LDL cholesterol. SM treatment also modulated plasma markers related to cardiovascular disease: MERTK, Gal-9, ADM, TF, PRSS27, HAOX1, IL-18, PAPPA, TNFRSF1A, TIE2 and FGF-21 proteins were downregulated while SRC levels were upregulated. Therefore, under the studied conditions of use, Salicornia extracts consumption is safe and SM induced biochemical and proteomic changes related to cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salicornia is a halophyte plant capable of being irrigated with seawater, which can be used as an alternative food. Given this, it is necessary to study the potentials of this plant’s morphological diversity in the natural environment. In this study, 33 wild populations of Salicornia were collected from different geographical areas around Urmia Lake during the flowering stage, and 55 morphological traits and 25 ISSR loci of the plant were analyzed. Based on morphological and molecular traits and the cluster analysis, Salicornia populations were divided into four and two groups, respectively. Results: Overall, the high percentage of polymorphic loci (65.69%), the average number of effective alleles per locus (1.63), and the Shannon data index (0.540) indicate that ISSR markers was used to identify genetic diversity. Molecular data cluster analysis divided the studied populations into two main groups, which included 12.12% and 87.88% of the populations, respectively. Based on the effective analysis of the population’s genetic structure and the precise classification of individuals into suitable sub-populations, the value of K=2 was calculated. Conclusions: The research findings indicated that the populations of Salicornia have a considerable diversity in morphological traits. Furthermore, markers UBC823, B, A7, and K, as well as markers with the Shannon index, effective allele, and large heterozygosis values, are the most effective markers in comparison with other markers used in this study. The findings of this study will aid in parental selection studies for breeding programs of Salicornia in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strokes are the second most common cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Regular consumption of polyphenols has been shown to reduce the risk of suffering a cardiovascular event. For this reason, we have investigated the protective effect of Salicornia ramosissima, a seasonal halophyte that synthetizes high amounts of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, in response to environmental stress. Aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and ethanolic extracts were prepared to investigate if dietary supplementation prior to ischemic challenge can prevent subsequent damage using two animal models. First, we screened the protective effect against hypoxia–reoxygenation in Drosophila melanogaster and observed that both ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts protected flies from the deleterious effects of hypoxia. Second, we confirmed the protective effect of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract against brain ischemia using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice model. Four weeks of oral supplementation with the ethanolic extract before artery occlusion reduced infarct volume and lowered the plasma levels of the DNA peroxidant product 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Phytochemical profiling of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract revealed 50 compounds. Thus, it represents a valuable source of bioactive compounds that show promising disease-modifying activities and could be further developed as an effective food supplement for the prevention or treatment of neurovascular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there has been considerable attention paid toward the recovery of waste plant matrices as possible sources of functional compounds with healthy properties. In this regard, we focus our attention on Salicornia, a halophyte plant that grows abundantly on the coasts of the Mediterranean area. Salicornia is used not only as a seasoned vegetable but also in traditional medicine for its beneficial effects in protecting against diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In numerous research studies, Salicornia consumption has been highly suggested due to its high level of bioactive molecules, among which, polyphenols are prevalent. The antioxidant and antiradical activity of polyphenols makes Salicornia a functional food candidate with potential beneficial activities for human health. Therefore, this review provides specific and compiled information for optimizing and developing new extraction processes for the recovery of bioactive compounds from Salicornia; focusing particular attention on polyphenols and their health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because of climate change, a large part of the country's lands and waters are becoming saline, so it is very important to know the ecological aspects of halophyte species in the exploitation of water resources and saline lands. Salicornia spp. are annual coastal herbaceous plants and grow in colonies in salt mahes and seashores, especially in the mouths of rivers and waterways. Salicornia has a wide variety and distribution in many parts of the world, especially in Iran Kai Shore River in the south of North Khorasan province is one of the areas where Salicornia plant grows with a spotted distribution pattern, and it has received less attention in scientific sources. This research was conducted in 2018 with the aim of investigating tie ecology of the natural environment and tie growth status of Salicornia in this region. Methodology: The studied area located about 35 km east of Esfrain, along 5 km from the edge of Kai Shore river, which according to Dumarten's climate classificaton is part of dry areas with an average rainfall of 186 mm and average, minimum and maximum temperatures of 15.4-17.6 and 42.3 degrees Celsius, the average relative humidity is 46% and the average evaporation and transpiraton is 2400 mm. The measured components include determining associated species, water and soil salinity changes during the growing season, physical and chemical analysis of water and soil during the flowering stage of salicornia, recording the phenology stages of salicornia, determining the amount of absorption of elements and the quality of fodder, and measuring production. Wet and dry mass in one square meer plot was at the time of salicornia flowering. Result: According to the meteorological statistics, the amount of precipitation in the area of Kai Shore in the year leading to the time of the study' is 318 mm, which is twice the long-term average, and this condition has a positive effect on the establishment and growth of Salicornia. Based on the analysis, the soil sample of دشأق ' habitat has silty loam texture, pH 7.7, chlorine, calcium, magnesium, and sodium levels are 1812, 54, 256, and 1550 meq/1, SAR 124, and salinity level, EC 84 to 175 ds/m. The salinity of Kai Shore water varies from the beginning of Safeortita germination (18 ds/m) to the ripening stage (110 ds/m) and has an increasing trend. The germination of Salicornia in the region is in late March, flowering is in late August to September, full ripening in November, seed shedding continues until December, and its growth period is about 8-9 months. Average dry matter was 2.8 and wet matter was 11.5 kg per square meter. The accompanying species of Salicornia are mainly bushes Halocnemum strobilaceum and Tamarix sp. Based on the dry' matter analysis at the time of flowering, the average amount of elements in the plant sample is nitrogen 1%, phosphorus 0.15%, potassium 0.7%, magnesium 0.67%, calcium 0.42%, sodium 10.64%, chlorine is 21.3% and in terms of fodder quality, crude fat is 1.55%, protein is 6.28%, and ash is 60.5% Conclusion: Based on this study, Kai Shore Esfrain in the northeast of the country is introduced as one of the growing areas of Salicornia. The results showed that Salicornia can complete the phenological stages in very high water and soil salinity conditions and have a good biomass. Due to its high ash content, Salicorniafodder is limited for animal feeding and should be combined with other sources of fodder in animal feeding rations. From the point of view of protection and environment, in areas where it is not possible for other species to establish and grow in terms of high salinity, the role of Salicornia is very important in the stability and balance of the growth environment and carbon deposition by creating suitable vegetation and absorbing elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the problems of soil salinization and freshwater scarcity, halophyte plants are indicated as an interesting alternative to conventional crops because these plants thrive in severe environmental conditions (i.e., high salinity, UV radiation). This review identifies halophyte food and non-food uses, discusses the values and areas for innovation and identifies gaps for further research. In relation to human consumption, several research works provide assessments of halophyte nutritional value and nutraceutical properties (i.e., minerals, fibres, proteins, bioactive compounds and low fat). Despite the promising future for halophyte multiple uses, problems related to cultivation, processing and marketing have still to be tackled. Consumption is mainly linked to local gastronomy, tradition, or gourmet cuisine. Market analysis, taste and sensory assessment of halophyte preparations are in their infancy and represent a promising avenue for further research. Knowledge recovery of halophyte food uses is a key to give impetus to supply chain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing salinization of agricultural soils urges us to find alternative and sustainable farming systems in order to allow the exploitation of areas that are otherwise becoming less suitable for conventional crops. Thanks to their adaptation to extreme saline conditions, halophytes are promising plants for resilient farming systems, such as intercropping with glycophytes, to ameliorate their productivity in saline soils. This research aimed to evaluate whether the nutritional profile and the content of some health-promoting compounds of the edible portion of Salicornia europaea were influenced by its cultivation in consociation with tomato plants. Moreover, the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of S. europaea were studied to characterize its bioactivity. The farming system did not influence the concentration of nutrients and bioactive compounds, except for flavonoids. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Salicornia extract suggested the importance of this halophyte for animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: (1) Following reconnection, does ground cover in the pond become similar to mature salt marsh sites over time? (2) Do seed densities and species composition of seed banks and seed rain differ between the pond and mature salt marsh, and between elevations? (3) Do seed densities vary over time? (4) Within the pond, can seed densities be explained by the abundance of reproductive plants, elevation, or distance from the pond inlet. Location: Dry Creek salt field, South Australia. Methods: We sampled seed rain (monthly) and seed banks (every three months) 6 to 18 months after tidal reconnection and surveyed ground cover (plant species, logs, seagrass wrack and bare ground) up to 34 months after reconnection. Samples were collected from the pond and from mature marsh vegetation at a reference site, and a site immediately adjacent to the pond inlet. Results: Vegetation cover in the pond increased more quickly at mid elevations compared with low elevations. Regarding the composition of ground cover, seed rain and seed banks, the site became more similar to the adjacent site than to the reference site. Seed densities increased from late autumn to early winter. The pattern of seed densities across sites and elevations differed between seed rain and seed banks. Seeds of Salicornia quinqueflora and Suaeda australis dominated in the pond, reflecting their high seed densities adjacent to the pond inlet. Variation in seed densities of both species in the pond was explained by the abundance of nearby, reproductive conspecifics but not by the distance from the inlet. Conclusions: Early stages of salt marsh revegetation were driven by tidal import of seeds and by the rapid seed production of early colonising species; however, low seed densities may reduce rates of revegetation at low elevations. Seed dispersal and revegetation may be maximised by undertaking tidal reconnection when seed densities are highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea level rise threatens coastal wetlands worldwide, and restoration projects are implementing strategies that decrease vulnerability to this threat. Vegetation monitoring at sites employing new restoration strategies and determination of appropriate monitoring techniques improve understanding of factors leading to restoration success. In Central California, soil addition raised a degraded marsh plain to a high elevation expected to be resilient to sea level rise over the next century. We monitored plant survival and recruitment using area searches, transect surveys, and unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) imagery. We used random forest modeling to examine the influence of nine environmental variables on vegetation colonization and conducted targeted soil sampling to examine additional factors contributing to vegetation patterns. Limited pre-construction vegetation survived soil addition, likely due to the sediment thickness (mean = 69 cm) and placement method. After 1 year, about 10% of the initially bare area saw vegetation reestablishment. Elevation and inundation frequency were particularly critical to understanding restoration success, with greatest vegetation cover in high-elevation areas tidally inundated < 0.85% of the time. Soil analysis suggested greater salinity stress and ammonium levels in poorly-vegetated compared to well-vegetated areas at the same elevation. We found that both transect and UAS methods were suitable for monitoring vegetation colonization. Field transects may provide the best approach for tracking early vegetation colonization at moderate-sized sites under resource limitations, but UAS provide a complementary landscape perspective. Beyond elucidating patterns and drivers of marsh dynamics at a newly restored site, our investigation informs monitoring of marsh restoration projects globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is one of the oldest and most serious environmental problems in the world. The increasingly widespread salinization of soils and water resources represents a growing threat to agriculture around the world. A strategy to cope with this problem is to cultivate salt-tolerant crops and, therefore, it is necessary to identify plant species that are naturally adapted to high-salinity conditions. In this review, we focus our attention on some plant species that can be considered among the most representative halophytes of the Mediterranean region; they can be potential resources, such as new or relatively new vegetable crops, to produce raw or minimally processed (or ready-to-eat) products, considering their nutritional properties and nutraceuticals. The main biological and agronomic characteristics of these species and the potential health risks due to mycotoxigenic fungi have been analyzed and summarized in a dedicated section. The objective of this review is to illustrate the main biological and agronomical characteristics of the most common halophytic species in the Mediterranean area, which could expand the range of leafy vegetables on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because water scarcity anticipated to increase within the destiny in particular with growing global population and the rise in prosperity problem of the shortage of water suitable for cultivation of meals plants inside the global is growing in arid and semi-arid regions. There is the call to discover some other plant resource that doesn’t need freshwater i.e. able to grow using seawater. It is worth to note that Salicornia sp. and Sarcocornia sp. may be grown at the seawater. Currently, considered one of the most crucial issues dealing with Egypt is a way to provide food within the frame of limiting to be had soils for cultivation, limitation of water resources, especially after Ethiopian Nahda Dam and growing in population. Accordingly, the use of halophytes forage plants (Salicornia and Sarcocornia) using seawater has emerged as one in all the most exciting and intelligent research points. Therefore, a case observe was carried out in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the nutritional status of Salicornia and Sarcocornia plants which can be grown on salty water in the North Coast of Egypt. Five samples of Salicornia and Sarcocornia amassed from Damietta Port Said coastal road and identified depends on phenotypic homes to Sarcocornia perennis (DA), Sarcocornia perennis (PS), Sarcocornia fruticosa, Salicornia europaea and Salicornia herbacea. Proximate composition analyses were carried out. It turned into obtrusive that, among dry biomass, carbohydrate has become in the most important proximate compositions in the Sarcocornia sp. and Salicornia sp. Tissues observed through ash. Molecular evaluation by SCoT techniques turned into done for Salicornia and Sarcocornia. The SCoT molecular marker techniques reach producing reproducible and dependable amplicons. Even though that the SCoT technique became higher in assessment for molecular variety and discrimination ability for all studied Salicornia and Sarcocornia.The results obtained have shown that the high nutritional value of the plant in terms of protein content, carbohydrates content and as a result, it is suitable for food

To comparison biomass production, accumulation of some elements and ash content of shoots in five halophytes species including Salicornia bigelovii Torr., S. sinus persica, Atriplex lentiformis Torr., Halocnemum strobilaceum Bieb., and Halostachys caspica Botsch irrigated with seawater, a research was conducted at Salinity Research Station in Bushehr province. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the halophytes species in terms of concentration of Na+, K+, Cl-, Na+/K+ ratio, fresh weight, dry weight, shoot water content and ash. The highest and lowest Na+ concentrations were obtained in S. sinus persica and A. lentiformis species, respectively, whereas the rate of shoot Na+ in S. sinus persica was more than A. lentiformis by 101.3%. The highest concentration of K+, Cl- and Na+/K+ were obtained in leaves of A. lentiformis and shoots of two species of Salicornia and H. strobilaceum species, respectively. A. lentiformis with the production of 18.98 and 7.75 ton ha-1, had the highest fresh and dry biomass, respectively. The lowest fresh and dry biomass were also found in S. bigelovii by 10.13 and 2.49 ton ha-1, respectively. The highest and lowest ash content were related to shoots of S. sinus persica equal to 48.8% and leaves of Atriplex lentiformis equal to 37.5%, respectively. According to the results, Salicornia species has no mechanism of preventing salt entrance in the plant due to high concentration of Na+ and Cl- ions in their shoots. These species follow the mechanism of salt accumulation in plant tissues with the aim of osmotic regulation for survival in high saline conditions. Atriplex lentiformis also produced the highest amount of biomass, which could attributed to the low shoot water content of this species due to the presence of hard stems in the plant in comparison to the succulent stems and higher shoots water content in the other species. According to the production amount and ash content, it seems that A. lentiformis is a suitable species for forage producing in the regions with limited freshwater. Furthermore, Salicornia species could be also considered as part of a livestock diet in this regions.

The Salicornia genus has great potential in agrifood industries because of its nutritional benefits related to its high content of antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids. A nontargeted method based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography–electrospray orbitrap data-dependent MS2/MS3 and the fragment ion search (FISh) strategy was developed to screen flavonoids in Salicornia plants. An extensive study of fragmentation of a set of flavonoid standards allowed for the definition of 15 characteristic fragment ions for flagging flavonoids in the plant matrix. The nontargeted analysis was applied to Salicornia europaea species and allowed for the annotation of 25 candidate flavonoids, including 14 that had not been reported previously. Structural prediction of two unreported flavonoids and their isomeric forms was based on an advanced data processing method using an in silico approach and in-house databases compiling flavonoid-specific chemical substitution. Finally, the method developed allowed for the optimization of extraction yields of flavonoids from the plant matrix.

The Mediterranean basin is rich in wild edible species which have been used for food and medicinal purposes by humans throughout the centuries. Many of these species can be found near coastal areas and usually grow under saline conditions, while others can adapt in various harsh conditions including high salinity. Many of these species have a long history of gathering from the wild as a source of food. The aim of this contribution is an overview on the most important halophyte species (Salicornia sp. pl., Arthrocaulon macrostachyum (Moric.) Piirainen & G. Kadereit, Soda inermis Fourr., Cakile maritima Scop., Crithmum maritimum L., Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth., Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke subsp. tenoreana (Colla) Soldano & F. Conti, Allium commutatum Guss., Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang., Capparis spinosa L.) that traditionally have been gathered by rural communities in southern Italy, with special interest on their ecology and distribution, traditional uses, medicinal properties, marketing and early attempts of cultivation. It is worth noting that these species have an attractive new cash crop for marsh marginal lands.

Nowadays, there has been considerable attention paid toward the recovery of waste plant matrices as possible sources of functional compounds with healthy properties. In this regard, we focus our attention on Salicornia, a halophyte plant that grows abundantly on the coasts of the Mediterranean area. Salicornia is used not only as a seasoned vegetable but also in traditional medicine for its beneficial effects in protecting against diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In numerous research studies, Salicornia consumption has been highly suggested due to its high level of bioactive molecules, among which, polyphenols are prevalent. The antioxidant and antiradical activity of polyphenols makes Salicornia a functional food candidate with potential beneficial activities for human health. Therefore, this review provides specific and compiled information for optimizing and developing new extraction processes for the recovery of bioactive compounds from Salicornia; focusing particular attention on polyphenols and their health benefits.

Three types of phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid) were identified and quantified in two halophytic plants (Salicornia bigelovii and Salicornia sinus-persica). Analysis was performed using a highperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLCMS/MS) system via the standard addition method. The matrix effect (ME), recovery efficiency (RE), and process efficiency (PE) parameters were evaluated for S. bigelovii extracts, which revealed a strong ME on the ionization of the three acids. The matrix had little to no effect on the extraction step for all samples. The quantitation results revealed that S. bigelovii was more abundant in the acids analyzed (total of 319.2 µg/g dry water extract) when compared to S. sinus-persica (117.2 µg/g dry water extract), and chlorogenic acid was the dominant component. The extractives content was high in both plants, representing over 35% of the dry plant weight. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant activity toward both DPPH and ABTS radicals at levels comparable to other medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance of Salicornia as a halophyte plant is the ability to grow in saline and irrigated areas with unusual and highly saline water. In order to investigate the effect of phytohormones for salinity adjustment on vegetative and physiological traits of Salicornia europaea L., an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located in Gorgan, Iran. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was different salinity levels (0, 400 and 600 mM) and the second factor was hormone treatment (without hormone, 50 mM abscisic acid, 50 mM melatonin, and the combination of both hormones) that applied asaerial spraying. Interaction of salinity and hormones on shoot height, branch number, shoot and root wet weight, seed weight, spike and total shoot dry weights of Salicornia at 1% (P <0.01) and shoot height and ion leakage (LE) at the 5% (P <0.05) 400 mM salinity and combination of abscisic acid and melatonin increased the maximum yield, grain weight and spike and total shoot dry weights 110% (1.1 fold), 195% (19.5 fold) and 245% (24.5 fold), respectively. The highest of the most of the studied traits were obtained at 400 mM salinity and combination of abscisic acid and melatonin. Correlation coefficient between shoot fresh weight and root fresh and total shoot dry weights at 1% and between numbers of branches, spike dry weight and grain weight at 5% were significant. Foliar application of abscisic acid and melatonin can help the plant to tolerate salinity and increase its functional properties (especially melatonin in yield components). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicornia macrostachya Moric. and Sarcocornia perennis subsp. alpini belong to the same family-Chenopodiaceae - and share morphological and organoleptic characteristics. The visually appealing in terms of freshness, color, particular taste, nutritional values and health benefits are recognized by their consumers as attributes that warrant their gourmet status. The objective of this work was to study the effect of incubation time on antioxidant capacity of these plants. Moreover, the work investigates the antioxidant activity of the extracts of the two halophyte plants and evaluates the effect of air drying the plants at 40 0C and the procedure of concentration the extracts before evaluating the antioxidant activity, measured with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The two halophyte plants, Salicornia macrostachya Moric., and Sarcocornia perennis subsp. alpini were collected from Portuguese salt pans, in the central region of Portugal, and the aerial parts were used as raw material. The drying of plants was performed in a pilot tray drier at 40 0C and air velocity of 1.5 m/s, for approximately 3 days. The DPPH free radical scavenging of the methanolic extracts was analysed in extracts obtained from fresh and dried plants. The determination of the antioxidant activity was made with the DPPH radical. The results showed that, in summary, and regarding the DPPH assay, the incubation time of 15 minutes is enough to measure the DPPH scavenging activity in halophyte extracts. Furthermore, the convective airdrying process at 40 0C showed to be an appropriate process to increase the shelf life of the halophyte plants and the antioxidant capacity of the halophyte plants, as a response to the stress provoked by the heat and humidity drying conditions. The plant extracts showed significant antioxidant potential, with high radical scavenging activity. The extracts prepared from Salicornia macrostachya and Sarcocornia perennis had, respectively, values of IC50 equal to 1.09 and 1.42 mg/mL. However, the antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from dried plants increased much more since the IC50 decreased to around 0.6 mg/mL, regardless of the halophyte plant. Both halophyte plants are a valuable source of natural antioxidants and nutrients for use in food. Besides, their crude extracts may represent a valuable source for developing novel food products (antioxidant-enriched foods), and/or table salt substitutes that satisfy the desires of consumers in terms of health benefits and sensorial acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing salinization of agricultural soils urges us to find alternative and sustainable farming systems in order to allow the exploitation of areas that are otherwise becoming less suitable for conventional crops. Thanks to their adaptation to extreme saline conditions, halophytes are promising plants for resilient farming systems, such as intercropping with glycophytes, to ameliorate their productivity in saline soils. This research aimed to evaluate whether the nutritional profile and the content of some health-promoting compounds of the edible portion of Salicornia europaea were influenced by its cultivation in consociation with tomato plants. Moreover, the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of S. europaea were studied to characterize its bioactivity. The farming system did not influence the concentration of nutrients and bioactive compounds, except for flavonoids. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Salicornia extract suggested the importance of this halophyte for animal and human health.