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Special issue on advances in marine biotechnology: exploitation of Halophyte plants
Publication . Pereira, Catarina Guerreiro
Halophyte (salt tolerant) plants encompass roughly 1% of the world’s plant species
that can thrive in a multitude of saline biotopes, where glycophytes (non-salt tolerant)
cannot [1,2]. They are highly resistant to the abiotic constraints characteristic of saline
ecosystems, such as salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation, having
evolved specialized morphological and physiological adaptations in response to the challenges of living in such harsh conditions [1,3]. The response mechanisms to handle abiotic
stress include the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive metabolites, like phenolic compounds, terpenoids, vitamins, etc. These molecules are usually powerful antioxidants
but can display other biological activities such as enzyme inhibition, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antitumoral activities, among others, thus granting halophytes with
potential biotechnological applications for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries
Nutritional and phyto-therapeutic value of the Halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.): a special focus on seeds
Publication . Rodrigues, Maria João; L, Custódio; Mecha, Débora; Zengin, Gokhan; Cziáky, Zoltán; Sotkó, Gyula; Pereira, Catarina Guerreiro
This work searched for the phyto-therapeutic potential and nutritional value of seeds
from the halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.), aiming at its use as a source of bioactive ingredients
for the food industry. Hence, the nutritional profile, including minerals, of seeds biomass was
determined; food-grade samples were prepared, and their phytochemical fingerprinting assessed.
Extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant potential, inhibitory capacity towards enzymes related
to neuroprotection, diabetes, and hyperpigmentation, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with a
toxicological assessment. Sawgrass seeds can be considered a proper nutritional source with a good
supply of minerals. All extracts had a high level of total phenolics (65.3–394.4 mg GAE/g DW) and
showed a chemically rich and diverse profile of metabolites that have several biological properties
described (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory). Extracts had no significant toxicity (cell viabilities
> 80%) and were overall strong antioxidants (particularly at radical scavenging and reducing iron),
effective tyrosinase inhibitors (55–71 mg KAE/g DW), showed anti-inflammatory properties (30–60%
NO decrease), and had moderate capacity to inhibit enzymes related to neuroprotection (AChE
3.7–4.2, BChE 4.3–6.0 mg GALE/g DW) and diabetes (α-glucosidase 1.0–1.1, α-amylase 0.8–1.1 mmol
ACAE/g). Altogether, results suggest that sawgrass seeds have the potential to be exploited as a new
food product and are a reservoir of bioactive molecules with prospective applications as ingredients
for value-added, functional, and/or preservative food products
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
Concurso para Financiamento de Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Todos os Domínios Científicos - 2020
Funding Award Number
PTDC/BAA-AGR/1391/2020