Nutritional Characterization of Annual and Perennial Glassworts from the Apulia Region (Italy)

Halophytes are increasingly recognized as sustainable crops that offer a wide range of nutrients. This study provides a nutritional characterization of annual (Salicornia europaea) and perennial (Sarcocornia fruticosa, Arthrocaulon macrostachyum) species of glasswort, collected from different coastal habitats in southern Italy. S. europaea was also cultivated under non-saline conditions. Results showed differences in mineral content, and bioactive compounds among genotypes, but they were modulated by environmental conditions, leading to significant site-specific variation. S. europaea, regardless of the collecting sites, exhibited the highest concentration of minerals (K, Ca, and Mg), chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds as well as antioxidant activity. A. macrostachyum stood out for its high flavonoid and sterol content, exhibiting other nutritional traits comparable to S. europaea when collected in a more arid site. A. macrostachyum and S. fruticosa displayed similar compositional features, showing the highest anthocyanin and iodine (187.8 µg 100 g^-1 FW, on average) content. Sodium and potassium-critical for hypertension management-varied, exceeding the recommended Na/K ratio (1) for human consumption, especially in A. macrostachyum grown close to the sea. The most promising result was observed in non-saline S. europaea and in an A. macrostachyum sample (1.7, on average). Overall findings confirm the potential of both annual and perennial glassworts as nutritionally rich, sustainable crops for marginal environments.