Search Results (129)

Cancer remains a major global public health concern, driving the need for innovative therapeutic agents with intensified efficacy and safety. Growth factor receptors (GFRs), often overexpressed in cancer cells and critical in regulating cell proliferation, survival, and tumor progression, represent key targets for cancer therapy. Halophytic plants like Salicornia spp. are known for their diverse bioactive compounds with notable pharmacological properties. This study comprehensively evaluated the anti-cancer potentials of phytochemicals derived from Salicornia herbacea and Salicornia brachiata using molecular docking and ADME-Tox (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiling. A total of 37 bioactive compounds from Salicornia spp. were screened against HER1, HER2, and HER4 receptors. Among them, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, myricetin, quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, rhamnetin, and hesperitin featured strong predicted binding affinities to the HER1, HER2, and HER4 growth factor receptors, comparable to those of standard anti-cancer drugs such as gefitinib and dovitinib. Further pharmacokinetic assessments, including bioavailability and toxicity analyses, identified compounds with favorable drug-likeness properties and minimal toxicity risks, except for myricetin and quercetin. These findings underscore the potential of Salicornia-derived phytochemicals as promising candidates for the development of safe, novel, and effective anti-cancer agents targeting GFRs, contributing to the advances in precision oncology, pending further validation through in vitro and/or in vivo experiments. Full article

The increasing discharge of nutrient and metal-laden effluents into saline environments demands sustainable remediation strategies. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Salicornia brachiata, a halophytic plant, under hydroponic conditions using varying concentrations of three macronutrients—nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and calcium (Ca²⁺)—and three heavy metals—lead (Pb²⁺), chromium (Cr⁶⁺), and copper (Cu²⁺). The plant exhibited high removal efficiencies across all treatments, with Pb²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ reaching nearly 99% removal within two days, while macronutrient removal showed a steady, time-dependent increase over the 14-day period. Several biochemical parameters, including proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase), were significantly affected by treatments, with most showing dose-dependent responses to heavy metal exposure, indicating strong biochemical resilience. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed pollutant-specific structural shifts and identified –OH, –NH, and –COO⁻ groups as key binding sites. The study quantifies the removal efficiency of S. brachiata for both nutrients and metals and provides mechanistic insight into its ionic stress response and binding pathways. These findings establish S. brachiata as a viable candidate for integrated phytoremediation in saline, contaminated water systems. Full article

Salicornia species are halophytic plants that thrive in environments with moderate to high salinity. Owing to its high nutritional value and diverse bioactive constituents, Salicornia holds promise for applications in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and bioenergy sectors. Understanding its salt tolerance mechanisms is important for developing crops suited to saline soils and water. Recent studies have revealed that Salicornia adapts to salinity through diverse physiological, biochemical, and molecular strategies. Despite these advances, a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge remains absent, hindering its effective application in crop improvement. In this review, recent advances in the understanding of Salicornia’s salinity tolerance are synthesized, with emphasis placed on key mechanisms: cell wall nano-mechanics, ion regulation and compartmentation, antioxidant defense, osmotic balance, phytohormonal control, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, and the expression of salt-responsive proteins. The interactions among these mechanisms are also examined, along with their roles in conferring tolerance to additional abiotic stresses such as drought, submergence, and extreme temperatures. Finally, the potential applications of these findings in genetic engineering for improving salt tolerance in crops are discussed, along with proposed directions for future research to promote the use of halophytes in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Salicornia brachiata Roxb., an economically and ecologically significant halophytic species native to Sri Lanka, produces dimorphic seeds. Despite their importance for commercial cultivation and conservation, germination studies of these dimorphic seeds remain limited. This study investigated the effects of temperature (25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C), gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment, geographic location of seed source (Jaffna vs. Puttalam coastal regions), seed type (central vs. lateral), and perianth presence/absence on germination under controlled conditions. Our results show that temperature, GA₃, and geographic location of the seed source significantly influenced seed germination. This study presents the first documented evidence of physiological dormancy (PD) in S. brachiata seeds, with successful dormancy breaking achieved using GA₃ treatment at 25 °C. Although perianth and seed type alone had no significant direct effects on germination, they were involved in multiple significant interactions—two-, three-, and four-way—with other factors. These findings highlight the multifactorial regulation of S. brachiata seed germination, suggesting that tailored propagation strategies, incorporating environmental and physiological variables, can optimize germination. These findings offer practical solutions for enhancing germination in saline agriculture and habitat restoration efforts of S. brachiata. Full article

This laboratory study investigated the anaerobic co-digestion process of the halophyte S. ramosissima (Sram) together with swine manure (SM) in different mixing ratios in batch and continuous reactor experiments. In the batch experiments, a methane yield of 214 mL_CH4·gVS⁻¹ was obtained for Sram in mono-digestion. In co-digestion with SM, the methane yields were slightly higher than calculated from the yields of each substrate in mono-digestion. Also, the kinetic rate constant in the co-digestion with swine manure increased from 0.219 d⁻¹ for mono-digested S. ramosissima to 0.318 d⁻¹ in the co-digestion of 50:50 Sram:SM (based on VS). Two continuous 5 L lab-scale CSTR reactors were operated: one as a control (100% SM) and the other as a co-digestion reactor with an increasing VS share of Sram (15, 25, and 35%) in the feed. Both reactors were operated at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.5 gVS.L⁻¹·d⁻¹ and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 days. In the continuous process, the highest methane yield of 276 mL_CH4·gVS⁻¹ was achieved at a co-digestion VS ratio of Sram:SM 25:75, corresponding to a methane yield from the added S. ramosissima of 277 mL_CH4·gVS⁻¹. This showed successful operation of the continuous co-digestion process of S. ramosissima and swine manure, with higher methane yields of S. ramosissima than in the mono-digestion batch tests. Full article

Understanding halophyte responses to agronomic management in saline environments is crucial for optimizing their cultivation. This study assessed the physiological and biochemical responses of three halophytic species, ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.), romeritos (Suaeda edulis Flores Olv. and Noguez), and sea asparagus (Salicornia europaea L.) cultivated in half-strength seawater aquaponics (approximately 250 mM NaCl) under the following rooting media treatments: (C) untreated rearing water (RW), (pH) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW, (pH+S) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW with nutrient supplementation, and (NS) standard nutrient solution + 5 mM NaCl. Salinity was the primary factor influencing plant responses, while agronomic management played a secondary role. Ice plants exhibited stable growth across treatments due to their strong succulence, high water content, and antioxidative system, requiring minimal management, though optimal pH may enhance nutrient availability. Romeritos showed high treatment variability yet maintained biomass production via Na⁺ compartmentalization, with C treatment supporting better osmotic regulation, while pH adjustments and mineral supplementation induced stress under HSW. Sea asparagus sustained growth across all treatments, likely due to effective K⁺ retention and osmoregulation, reducing the need for additional management. These findings highlight species-specific salinity tolerance mechanisms and suggest that minimal agronomic management can effectively support halophyte cultivation in saline aquaponic systems. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the continuous use of the settling chamber for solids removal in the cultivation of the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei and the halophyte Salicornia neei in an aquaponic system with bioflocs. Two treatments were tested: with settling and without settling. Each experimental unit consisted of an 800 L tank for shrimp rearing (stocking density of 375 shrimp m⁻³) and a hydroponic bench of 0.33 m² for 28 seedlings (84 plants m⁻²). In the treatment without settling, water was continuously pumped to the hydroponic bench. In the treatment with settling, the water was first pumped to the chamber, and the overflow was then distributed across each irrigation channel, returning to the tank by gravity. To maintain the concentration of suspended solids in the shrimp culture, solids that accumulated in the settling chamber were pumped back into the tank every 30 min. During the 54-day trial, the reduction in suspended solids in the treatment with settling led to an increase in TAN and NO₂ levels, while the concentration of NO₃ remained stable. Although water quality parameters were more stable in the treatment without settling, no significant differences were observed between the treatments regarding plant and shrimp production indices. These results demonstrate the feasibility of cultivating P. vannamei and S. neei in a biofloc-based aquaponic system without the continuous use of a settling chamber during the pre-grow phase (until 10 g), offering a potential method for simplifying aquaponic system design. Full article

The duration, frequency, and intensity of drought events in the Mediterranean region pose increasing threats to conventional crop production. Consequently, eco-friendly and sustainable development approaches should aim to address future food production goals. Halophytes, such as Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods, represent promising cash crops for cultivation in conjunction with novel biofertilization strategies involving plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). In the present study, the physiological fitness of S. ramosissima under various drought conditions, with and without marine PGPB inoculation, was evaluated to enhance the resilience of this cash crop halophyte under water-limited conditions. Our results indicate that PGPB inoculation significantly decreased water loss under extreme drought, with non-inoculated plants showing a water content (WC) of 59%, while in inoculated plants, the decrease in WC was lower at 77%. Furthermore, PGPB inoculation significantly enhanced the photochemistry of the plant, which maintained higher active oxygen-evolving complexes and a greater ability for complete closure of reaction centers under severe and extreme drought, thus demonstrating an improved capacity for light energy utilization in photosynthesis even under water-limited conditions. Furthermore, bioaugmented plants generally exhibited improved osmoregulation through increased yet appropriate accumulation of proline, a major osmolyte, and higher relative water content in the stem compared to the corresponding non-inoculated plants. Drought stress similarly modified the fatty acid profile in both plant groups, resulting in increased membrane stability due to reduced fluidity. However, PGPB-inoculated plants demonstrated a higher capacity for mitigation of oxidative stress, primarily through enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase, which is crucial for the scavenging of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). This, along with improvements in energy use and dissipation, as evidenced by photochemistry, reveals a multi-dimensional mechanism for drought tolerance in bioaugmented plants. Metabolic changes, particularly in PGPB-inoculated plants, clearly demonstrate the potential of these bacteria to be utilized in the enhancement of drought tolerance in S. ramosissima. Moreover, these data elucidate the complex metabolic aspects regarding photochemistry, osmoregulation, and oxidative stress that should be considered when phenotyping plants for drought tolerance, given the increasing water scarcity worldwide scenario. Full article

Salinity is a major environmental factor that adversely affects plant growth and production. Cuticular wax protects plants against external environmental stress. The relationship between cuticular wax biosynthesis and salt tolerance remains unclear in Salicornia europaea. This study examined the cuticle thickness, wax load, morphology, composition, and the expression of cuticular wax biosynthesis gene identification and expression. The results showed that 600 mM NaCl treatment enhanced the cuticle thickness and total wax load; crystal wax structures were also observed after NaCl treatment. The cuticular wax was mainly composed of fatty acids, alcohols, alkenes, and esters. The alcohol class accounted for the largest proportion, with docosanol (C₂₅H₅₄OSi) being the main specific alcohol compound, followed by fatty acids and alkanes. After a sequence database search, six fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs), sixteen wax synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferases (WS/DGATs), three fatty alcohol oxidases (FAOs), five eceriferums (CERs), and eight mid-chain alkanes (MAHs) were identified as the putative wax biosynthesis enzymes. Their expression analysis revealed a differential response to 100 and 600 mM NaCl treatment and reached the highest level at 12 h or 48 h. The genes that were evidently upregulated with higher fold changes under salinity, such as SeFAR1, SeFAR2, and SeFAR3 are implied to synthesize primary alcohols, and SeWSs convert the primary alcohols to wax esters; SeCER1 and SeCER3 are also supposed to catalyze the conversion of aldehydes to alkanes while SeMAH7 catalyze alkanes to secondary alcohols in S. europaea in response to NaCl treatment. This study demonstrated that both the decarbonylation and acyl-reduction wax biosynthesis pathways may not be independent from each other. Full article

This study investigates the fermentation of white cabbage with salicornia and CaCl₂ to assess its effect on the fermentation profiles and properties of the final products. Two sets of experiments were performed: A—cabbage with salt and salicornia, and B—cabbage with salt, salicornia, and CaCl₂. The fermentative processes were studied through the microbial (lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), coliforms, and fungi), physicochemical (pH, total acidity), and mineral properties. A diminution of pH values (4.07, 3.58) and increased acidity values (0.70, 0.77 g lactic acid/100 mL) were registered at the end of the fermentation period (A and B, respectively). A stationary phase followed the exponential growth of LAB, and a slight decrease was observed (6.01, 5.51 Log CFU/g) in both experiments. A fungi decline was observed during the first week and the coliform populations disappeared after about 13 days of fermentation. Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella were not detected in the final products. The utilization of CaCl₂ resulted in fermented cabbage with analogous microbial and sensorial characteristics to fermented cabbage without CaCl₂ but with an increased hardness. However, Ca interfered with the diffusion of K, Mg, and Zn, resulting in lower levels of these elements in the final product, particularly Zn, which exhibited a reduction of 37%, reducing the nutritional value of the final products. Full article

Soil salinity, affecting 20–50% of irrigated farmland globally, poses a significant threat to agriculture and food security, worsened by climate change and increasing droughts. Traditional methods for managing saline soils—such as leaching, gypsum addition, and soil excavation—are costly and often unsustainable. An alternative approach using plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) offers promise for improving crop productivity in saline conditions. This study tested twenty-three bacterial strains, one yeast, and one fungal strain, isolated from diverse sources including salicornia plants, sandy soils, tomato stems or seeds, tree leaves, stems, and flowers. They were initially submitted to in vitro selection tests to assess their ability to promote plant growth under salt stress. In vitro tests included auxin production, phosphate solubilization, and co-culture of microorganisms and tomato seedlings in salt-supplemented media. The Bacillus sp. strain 44 showed the highest auxin production, while Bacillus megaterium MJ had the strongest phosphate solubilization ability. Cryptococcus sp. STSD 4 and Gliomastix murorum (4)10-1(iso1) promoted germination and the growth of tomato seedlings in an in vitro co-culture test performed on a salt-enriched medium. This innovative test proved particularly effective in selecting relevant strains for in planta trials. The microorganisms that performed best in the various in vitro tests were then evaluated in vivo on tomato plants grown in greenhouses. The results showed significant improvements in growth, including increases in fresh and dry biomass and stem size. Among the strains tested, Gliomastix murorum (4)10-1(iso1) stood out, delivering an increase in fresh biomass of 94% in comparison to the negative control of the salt modality. These findings highlight the potential of specific PGPM strains to enhance crop resilience and productivity in saline soils, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The Mediterranean region is experiencing severe droughts and unprecedented high temperatures. In terms of salinity, about 18 million ha of land, or 25% of the total irrigated area in the Mediterranean, is salt affected. The use of halophytes as intercropping species to mitigate the effects of salt stress is attractive. Halophytes have a great capacity to maintain their productivity in this extreme environment, thus supporting climate-appropriate agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the productivity of Salicornia europaea L. subsp. ramosissima (glasswort) under field conditions and high soil salinity, grown as a sole crop (monocropping) and as a companion crop (intercropping) with Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla (Swiss chard) in a 1:1 cropping pattern. The field trials were conducted in the coastal wetland “King’s Lagoon”, a private nature reserve in the Apulia/Puglia region (southern Italy), during two consecutive spring–summer seasons in 2023 and 2024 and under different management conditions of irrigation and fertilization. These were performed to test for possible interaction effects. The results showed that both glasswort and chard can be grown sustainably under slightly saline conditions (ECe range 4–8 dS m⁻¹). In contrast, strongly saline conditions (ECe > 16 dS m⁻¹) were prohibitive for chard, both as a sole crop and as an intercrop, but were largely beneficial for glasswort. Swiss chard can benefit from intercropping with glasswort when soil salinity is still tolerable (6.9 dS m⁻¹), showing an LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) ≥ 1.19. Meanwhile, glasswort did not significantly improve the growth of the companion crop (Swiss chard) when the soil was considerably saline (16.6 dS m⁻¹). Higher LER values were observed when the contribution of chard to the intercrop performance was significantly greater than that of glasswort, i.e., under slightly saline conditions. This means that glasswort can have a significant positive effect on chard growth and productivity as long as soil is still moderately saline. Glasswort can therefore be considered a valuable model crop in extreme environments. The integration of glasswort (possibly together with other local halophytes) into diversified cropping systems on saline marginal soils is a promising sustainable agricultural practice in environmentally fragile areas such as wetlands, swamps, brackish areas, and marshes. Full article

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a well-established risk factor for future strokes, making interventions that target recovery and vascular risk crucial. This study aimed to assess the safety and clinical effects of a polyphenol-rich Salicornia ramosissima extract in post-TIA patients. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with participants who had a history of TIA or minor stroke and who received 1 g of Salicornia extract or placebo over 11 months. Biochemical analyses, neuropsychological assessments (MOCA test), and gait and aerobic performance tests were conducted at the beginning and the end of the study. A total of 118 individuals were screened, with 80 finally included. Importantly, no significant adverse events were reported throughout the study. A neurological analysis showed an improvement in MOCA scores in patients treated with the Salicornia extract for 11 months. The treatment did not affect spatiotemporal gait parameters, but it significantly reduced blood pressure at baseline and after the aerobic performance test. Biochemically, both groups exhibited mild hyperhomocysteinemia at baseline; however, Salicornia treatment significantly lowered homocysteine levels, bringing them within the normal range. These findings highlight the safety of the Salicornia extract in patients at a high cerebrovascular risk and suggest it as a potential therapeutic option for managing vascular risk factors, such as hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension. However, further studies are required to confirm the underlying mechanisms and explore broader clinical applications. Full article

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophilic plant species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, whose shoots are used as a vegetable. Since the shoots can be eaten raw, the objective of the present study was to investigate possible controls on the abundance of human pathogenic microorganisms (HPMOs) in the shoots as a health risk. For this reason, the molecular-chemical composition of shoots, site-specific soil organic matter (bulk and rhizosphere), and soil pH and salinity were analyzed. Plant and soil samples were taken from two test sites with differing salinity levels in France (a young and an old marsh). We hypothesized that the chemical traits of plants and soils could suppress or promote HPMOs and, thus, serve as risk indicators for food quality. The chemical traits of shoots and bulk and rhizosphere soil were measured through thermochemolysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The densities of cultivable HPMOs (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) were determined in plant shoots, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil using selective media. Negative correlations between lignin content in the shoots and the abundance of S. enterica, as well as between lignin content in bulk soil and the abundance of E. coli, are explained by the lignin-based rigidity and its protective effect on the cell wall. In the shoot samples, the content of lipids was positively correlated with the abundance of E. coli. The abundance of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes in bulk soil decreased with increasing soil pH, which is linked to increased salinity. Therefore, soil salinity is proposed as a tool to decrease HPMO contamination in S. europaea and ensure its food safety. Full article