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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Iberian Peninsula, illegal harvesting and mislabeling of geographic origin of goose barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) poses serious socio-economic risks, including food safety issues, product depreciation, and depletion of natural stocks. In the present study, we assess the fatty acid (FA) profiles of two soft tissues (the edible peduncle and the adductor muscle) of P. pollicipes originating from six locations over the Atlantic NW and W Iberian coasts of mainland Portugal to demonstrate their suitability to confirm the geographic origin of this species and shed light on the nutritional value of the edible peduncle. Random forest models exhibited high accuracy in allocating samples to their original location (91.7% for the edible peduncle and 86.7% for the adductor muscle). Moreover, the edible peduncle possessed a high nutritional quality, as revealed by the following indices: fish lipid quality (FLQ, %): 44.3–53.6; atherogenic index (AI): 0.32–0.48; thrombogenic index (TI): 0.14–0.20; and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (HH): 2.65–4.64. Overall, the traceability approach employed in the present work can assist in the fight against illegal harvesting and the mislabeling of P. pollicipes geographic origin, thus contributing to the added value of this nutritious bioresource, along with its conservation and sustainable management in the Iberian Peninsula and elsewhere. • Illegal harvesting of P. pollicipes from the Iberian Peninsula has been reported. • Fatty acid (FA) profiles of P. pollicipes tissues were assessed. • Harvesting locations of P. pollicipes were confirmed based on FA profiles. • The edible peduncle of P. pollicipes exhibits high nutritional quality. • This will assist fisheries managers and inform consumers about nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]