Nutritional profile, chemical composition and health promoting properties of Salicornia emerici Duval-Jouve and Sarcocornia alpini (Lag.) Rivas Mart. from southern Tunisia

Abstract

The aerial biomass of the edible halophyte species Salicornia emerici Duval-Jouve and Sarcocornia alpini (Lag.) Rivas Mart. (Amaranthaceae), collected from southeastern Tunisia, was analyzed for its potential as a source of functional bioactive ingredients. For this purpose, the dried biomass was analyzed for its proximate and mineral composition, while its hydroethanolic extracts were evaluated for phenolic content by spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques (HPLC-ESI-MS). The extracts were also assessed for in vitro antioxidant properties, including radical scavenging activity (RSA) against DPPH and ABTS^•+ radicals, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Furthermore, they were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity and enzymatic inhibition toward key enzymes related to human diseases, namely acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) (Alzheimer's disease: AD), α-amylase and α-glucosidase (type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: T2DM), and tyrosinase (skin hyperpigmentation disorders). The findings revealed that both halophytes contained significant levels of minerals, particularly sodium, potassium, and iron. The extracts were rich in bioactive phytochemicals, with naringin identified as the major compound in S. alpini, while quinic acid was predominant in S. emerici. Extracts from both species were non-toxic and demonstrated significant antioxidant properties. Neither species exhibited inhibitory activity toward cholinesterases; however, both showed strong α-glucosidase inhibition (>50%), with S. alpini also displaying superior tyrosinase inhibition activity (51%). These findings suggest that S. alpini and S. emerici hold promise as safe and sustainable sources of nutrients and natural compounds with antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-tyrosinase properties. This potential could translate into significant economic benefits for the southeastern region of Tunisia.