The effect of salt stress in halophytes on nutritional properties and their use as food additives.

Abstract

Halophytes exhibit a broad geographical distribution, and their phytochemical profiling highlights their nutritional relevance, particularly in the context of global food insecurity. Salicornia species, in particular, have been identified as a source of functional nutrients, including dietary fiber, proteins, and essential macronutrients. In this study, Salicornia perennans specimens collected from two distinct regions of Kazakhstan were analyzed using atomic spectrometry, revealing significant inter-populational variation in macronutrient composition among wild-grown samples. Furthermore, the impact of artificially induced chloride salinity at concentrations of 0 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, and 300 mM was investigated with respect to macronutrient and nutrient accumulation. Data analysis indicated that 300 mM salinity promoted the accumulation of elemental nutrients within plant tissues, despite a concomitant reduction in fresh biomass by up to 13% (p>0.01). Protein content was also found to be salinity-dependent, with sample #1 exhibiting a peak value of 11.03 mg·g-1 fresh weight at the highest salinity level tested. These findings underscore intraspecific variability in nutrient accumulation patterns within Salicornia perennans, reflecting its adaptive plasticity to diverse environmental conditions. The results further support the potential of wild halophytic species as valuable components in food systems, owing to their high nutritional density and resilience under saline stress, making them promising candidates for the development of novel functional food products.