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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]

In this study Salicornia sinus-persica, a succulent halophyte was assessed for its potential to be used as a feedstock for bioethanol production. For such succulent, salty, green biomasses, direct fractionation and fermentation allow for water preservation in the process. Fresh biomass of S. sinus-persica was collected and split into two fractions by wet fractionation; liquid (juice) and solid (pulp). Sugar contents were found to be 1.0-1.5% for the juice fraction and 50% ( w/w) for the fresh pulp. Direct fermentation of the juice using Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed no salt inhibition of the yeast and ethanol yields of ~70% were achieved. A pretreatment study was carried out for the pulp fraction applying mild hydrothermal pretreatment. Cellulose convertibility was found to be significantly higher for severity factors above 2.00, and the highest ethanol yield (76.91 ± 3.03%) was found at process severity of 3.06 (170 °C, 10 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halophyte species of United Arab Emirates are a source of unique active phytochemicals, potentially due to the extreme environmental conditions under which the plants grow in the UAE. These phytochemicals make the native halophytes possibly interesting crops for biorefining, where biofuel production is combined with the production of value added chemicals, improving the economic feasibility of both process. Phytochemicals found in these species are widely recognized and researched as potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. We reviewed the literature for secondary metabolites from species from the following halophyte families: Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae (incl. Chenopodiaceae), Avicenniaceae, Zygophyllaceae. The review revealed that plant species belonging to these families contain valuable phytochemicals, such as fatty acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, quinones and coumarins, many of which have been reported to have therapeutic effects in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] First published work on chemical composition and biofuel potential of the halophyte S. bigelovii. [•] S. bigelovii straw is a promising new lignocellulosic substrate. [•] Halophyte biofuels production is a promising alternative for arid coastal areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]