Sustainable Valorization of Halophytes from the Mediterranean Area: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Their Fatty Acid Profile and Implications for Human and Animal Nutrition

Catarina Vizetto-Duarte, Filipe Figueiredo, Maria João Rodrigues, Cristina Polo, Eva Rešek and Luísa Custódio
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Catarina Vizetto-Duarte: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Filipe Figueiredo: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Maria João Rodrigues: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Cristina Polo: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Eva Rešek: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Luísa Custódio: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Halophytic plants can provide an economical and environmentally sustainable source of products for human and animal feeding, in the context of the increase of worldwide emergent semi-arid landscapes. This work reports a comprehensive evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids (FA) of nineteen Mediterranean halophytes collected in southern Portugal, with the purpose of establishing their possible uses as food and feed. For FA determination, lipids and free FA were converted to the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and analyzed by GC-MS. Beta maritima had the highest FAME levels (7.3 mg/g DW) while Suaeda vera had the lowest content (1.0 mg/g DW). The most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) across all studied species was palmitic acid. The most prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was oleic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were led by linoleic acid. Less common FAMEs were also detected, namely eicosadienoic and hexadecatrienoic acids. Cotula coronopifolia , Phragmites australis and Suaeda vera displayed the best FA nutritional profiles. These species also showed bioactivities relevant for both human and animal health according to the literature and thus, collectively with this study, they could be further explored as food and feed.

Keywords: fatty acids; feed; food; halophytes; PUFA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2197-:d:222168

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