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Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants
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Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2021) | Viewed by 23043

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Catarina Guerreiro Pereira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre of Marine Sciences—CCMAR, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Interests: marine biotechnology; halophyte plants; medicinal plants; natural products; marine biology; bioactive compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Halophyte (salt-tolerant) plants are a specialized group of plants that can thrive in a wide range of saline environments where glycophytes (non-salt tolerant) cannot. Highly resistant to abiotic constraints like salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation, they have evolved highly specialized morphological and physiological adaptations in response to the challenges of living in such harsh conditions, including the synthesis and accumulation of highly bioactive metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, or sterols. These molecules display relevant biological properties, namely antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc., granting halophytes with potential biotechnological applications for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Halophyte plants have long been used for food, forage, and ethnomedicinal/veterinary purposes and are attracting scientific and commercial interest, particularly, in the agri-food sector, due to their nutritional, functional, and organoleptic properties. Moreover, halophytes can be cultivated under saline conditions, presenting themselves as pivotal within the context of soil/water salinization and freshwater scarcity for agriculture. Altogether, halophyte plants represent not only an outstanding reservoir of natural biologically active compounds, but also a promising source for a new generation of sustainable bioproducts for human and animal consumption.

This Special Issue, “Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants”, will provide researchers with an opportunity to publish studies on the exploitation of halophyte plants considering their vast potential biotechnological applications in all fields of science. Submissions from scientists and academics from across the world are welcome.

Dr. Catarina Guerreiro Pereira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Halophyte plants
  • Biological activities
  • Bioactive molecules
  • Halophyte-products
  • Saline cultivation
  • Commercial applications
  • Industrial applications

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 218 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants
by Catarina Guerreiro Pereira
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(20), 10573; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010573 - 19 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382
Abstract
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 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)

Research

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17 pages, 2541 KiB  
Article
Halophyte Plants Cultured in Aquaponics Hold the Same Potential for Valorization as Wild Conspecifics from Donor Sites
by Bruna Marques, Elisabete Maciel, Maria Rosário Domingues, Ricardo Calado and Ana Isabel Lillebø
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11586; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411586 - 7 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2534
Abstract
Halophytes have gradually been introduced in marine integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems due to their capacity to bioremediate nutrient-rich marine effluents and their potential use for human consumption due to their content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FA). To foster the valorization [...] Read more.
Halophytes have gradually been introduced in marine integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems due to their capacity to bioremediate nutrient-rich marine effluents and their potential use for human consumption due to their content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FA). To foster the valorization of halophytes produced using an IMTA framework for human consumption, it is important that culture conditions keep or enhance their FA profile, when compared to that displayed by conspecifics in the wild. The main objective of the present study was to compare the FA profiles of three halophyte species (Halimione portulacoides, Salicornia ramosissima and Sarcocornia perennis) cultured in aquaponics coupled to an IMTA system with that of wild conspecifics retrieved from donor sites. The FA profiles were compared considering different plant organs (edible parts and roots) and sampling dates (spring, summer and autumn). Results show that the FA profiles of specimens cultured in aquaponics were significantly different from that of wild conspecifics, displaying a high content of omega-3 FAs in edible parts, particularly during summer, and mostly in the form of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3). In more detail, for the specimens cultured in aquaponics, ALA concentration in the edible parts of each species ranged from 5.10 to 7.11 μg mg−1 DW in H. portulacoides, from 5.66 to 9.19 μg mg−1 DW in S. ramosissima and from 5.49 to 7.20 μg mg−1 DW in S. perennis. Concerning the omega-6 linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) identified in edible parts, the concentrations ranged from 2.25 to 2.46 μg mg−1 DW in H. portulacoides, from 3.26 to 4.84 μg mg−1 DW in S. ramosissima, and from 2.17 to 3.06 μg mg−1 DW in S. perennis. The nutritional quality was assessed through the ratio of PUFA/SFA, for both wild and cultured plants, and revealed values well above the threshold (0.45), the threshold value indicative of good nutritional quality. Overall, the culture conditions tested in the present work reinforce the potential of aquaponics coupled to marine IMTA to produce high-quality halophytes suitable for human consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)
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14 pages, 2067 KiB  
Article
The Response of Halophyte (Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pallas) Kuntz.) and Glycophyte (Lactuca sativa L.) Crops to Diluted Seawater and NaCl Solutions: A Comparison between Two Salinity Stress Types
by Werther Guidi Nissim, Elisa Masi, Camilla Pandolfi, Stefano Mancuso and Giulia Atzori
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6336; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146336 - 8 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3076
Abstract
The use of seawater in horticulture is underestimated. Although pure seawater is harmful to most living plants, diluted seawater could represent a promising integration to meet the crop’s nutrient and water requirements. In the current trial, we compared the effects of moderate and [...] Read more.
The use of seawater in horticulture is underestimated. Although pure seawater is harmful to most living plants, diluted seawater could represent a promising integration to meet the crop’s nutrient and water requirements. In the current trial, we compared the effects of moderate and high concentrations of seawater and a comparable NaCl solution on a salt-tolerant (Tetragonia tetragonioides) and a salt-sensitive (Lactuca sativa) crop grown in hydroponics. We tested the hypothesis that, due to its mineral composition, diluted seawater would result in a less stressful growing medium than NaCl. We observed that diluted seawater resulted in a less detrimental growing medium compared to an EC-comparable NaCl solution, with remarkable differences between the salt-tolerant and the salt-sensitive species. While the growth rates in Tetragonia did not vary between the two types of stress, diluted seawater led to a higher FW and DW biomass yield in the salt-sensitive lettuce compared to the NaCl treatment. Moreover, NaCl reduced the water consumption and water productivity in Tetragonia. In lettuce, NaCl-treated plants demonstrated lower water use efficiency and water productivity compared to the EC-comparable seawater treatment. Physiological parameters and the concentration of mineral elements, phenolics and proline also demonstrated that, due to different mineral composition, seawater is a less stressful growing medium compared to a NaCl solution at comparable EC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)
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19 pages, 1565 KiB  
Article
LED Lighting and High-Density Planting Enhance the Cost-Efficiency of Halimione Portulacoides Extraction Units for Integrated Aquaculture
by Marco Custódio, Paulo Cartaxana, Sebastián Villasante, Ricardo Calado and Ana Isabel Lillebø
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4995; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114995 - 28 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4173
Abstract
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that can be used to extract dissolved inorganic nutrients from saline aquaculture effluents under a production framework commonly known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen (common name: sea purslane) is an edible saltmarsh halophyte traditionally consumed [...] Read more.
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that can be used to extract dissolved inorganic nutrients from saline aquaculture effluents under a production framework commonly known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen (common name: sea purslane) is an edible saltmarsh halophyte traditionally consumed by humans living near coastal wetlands and is considered a promising extractive species for IMTA. To better understand its potential for IMTA applications, the present study investigates how artificial lighting and plant density affect its productivity and capacity to extract nitrogen and phosphorous in hydroponic conditions that mimic aquaculture effluents. Plant growth was unaffected by the type of artificial lighting employed—white fluorescent lights vs. blue-white LEDs—but LED systems were more energy-efficient, with a 17% reduction in light energy costs. Considering planting density, high-density units of 220 plants m−2 produced more biomass per unit of area (54.0–56.6 g m−2 day−1) than did low-density units (110 plants m−2; 34.4–37.1 g m−2 day−1) and extracted more dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Overall, H. portulacoides can be easily cultivated hydroponically using nutrient-rich saline effluents, where LEDs can be employed as an alternative to fluorescent lighting and high-density planting can promote higher yields and extraction efficiencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)
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Review

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17 pages, 530 KiB  
Review
Extraction and Quantification of Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Phenolic Compounds, and Vitamins from Halophyte Biomasses
by Laura S. S. Hulkko, Tanmay Chaturvedi and Mette Hedegaard Thomsen
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020840 - 14 Jan 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7264
Abstract
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants, and they have been utilised as healthy, nutritious vegetables and medicinal herbs. Various studies have shown halophytes to be rich in health-beneficial compounds with antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and cytotoxic properties. Despite their potential, these plants are [...] Read more.
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants, and they have been utilised as healthy, nutritious vegetables and medicinal herbs. Various studies have shown halophytes to be rich in health-beneficial compounds with antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and cytotoxic properties. Despite their potential, these plants are still underutilised in agriculture and industrial applications. This review includes the state-of-the-art literature concerning the contents of proanthocyanidins (also known as condensed tannins), total phenolic compounds, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), and vitamins in various halophyte biomasses. Various extraction and analytical methods are also considered. The study shows that various species have exhibited potential for use not only as novel food products but also in the production of nutraceuticals and as ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)
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18 pages, 2453 KiB  
Review
Rock Samphire, a Candidate Crop for Saline Agriculture: Cropping Practices, Chemical Composition and Health Effects
by Anestis Karkanis, Nikolaos Polyzos, Maria Kompocholi and Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020737 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3227
Abstract
The recent market trends for functional healthy foods have rekindled the interest in wild edible species and created a market niche for high added value products. The current supply, mainly supported by plants collected from the wild, cannot meet increasing market needs; therefore, [...] Read more.
The recent market trends for functional healthy foods have rekindled the interest in wild edible species and created a market niche for high added value products. The current supply, mainly supported by plants collected from the wild, cannot meet increasing market needs; therefore, it is of major importance to establish cropping protocols and further valorize wild plants for culinary and industrial applications. Sea fennel is a wild edible halophyte that is an important ingredient in local cuisines and is also used in folk medicine for its beneficial health effects. Its valorization has not been commercially explored on a great scale and more efforts are needed to integrate the species in farming systems. The present review compiles the most recent reports regarding the farming practices that could allow for the establishment of cultivation protocols for farmers, while the main constraints that hinder the further exploitation of the species are also presented. Moreover, this review presents the most up-to-date information regarding the chemical composition (e.g., chemical composition of the aerial parts and volatile compounds in essential oils) and the health-related effects of various plant parts (e.g., antimicrobial, insecticidal and anticholinesterase activities) aiming to reveal possible alternative uses that will increase the added value of the species and will contribute to its commercial exploitation. Finally, the future remarks and the guidelines that have to be followed are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Biotechnology: Exploitation of Halophyte Plants)
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