Influence of soil salinity on the protein and fatty acid composition of the edible halophyte Halimione portulacoides

Food Chem. 2021 Aug 1:352:129370. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129370. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Abstract

As the worldwide population continues to rise, so does global demand for agricultural production. This scenario of uncertain food supply is exacerbated by the high salinization of soils worldwide, a serious constraint to crop productivity. In this context, there is an increasing need for alternative sustainable crops. Halophytes are thought to be a promising alternative food source due to their natural ability to grow in saline soils and their multiple potential uses in the food industry. In this study, the protein and fatty acid content of the halophyte Halimione (Atriplex) portulacoides (L.) was studied in different saline conditions. Although more studies are needed to explore the nutritional properties of H. portulacoides, the data presented here suggest that this halophyte should be considered as a promising food crop for saline agriculture.

Keywords: Amino acids; Fatty acids; Halimione portulacoides; Nutritional composition; Salinity.

MeSH terms

  • Chenopodiaceae / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis*
  • Plant Proteins / analysis*
  • Salinity*
  • Salt-Tolerant Plants / chemistry*
  • Soil / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Plant Proteins
  • Soil