Optimizing methods to characterize caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acids in Salicornia sinus-persica and Salicornia bigelovii extracts by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Three types of phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acid) were identified and quantified in two halophytic plants (Salicornia bigelovii and Salicornia sinus-persica). Analysis was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) system via the standard addition method. The matrix effect (ME), recovery efficiency (RE), and process efficiency (PE) parameters were evaluated for S. bigelovii extracts, which revealed a strong ME on the ionization of the three acids. The matrix had little to no effect on the extraction step for all samples. The quantitation results revealed that S. bigelovii was more abundant in the acids analyzed (total of 319.2 µg/g dry water extract) when compared to S. sinus-persica (117.2 µg/g dry water extract), and chlorogenic acid was the dominant component. The extractives content was high in both plants, representing over 35% of the dry plant weight. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant activity toward both DPPH and ABTS radicals at levels comparable to other medicinal plants.

Lipid and Yield Evaluation in Salicornia bigelovii by the Influence of Chitosan-IBA, in Conditions of the Sonora Desert

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of Chitosan-Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) in the seed of Salicornia bigelovii under field conditions in Sonora, Mexico. During two vegetative cycles (2018/2019–2019/2020), cuttings of S. bigelovii were treated with 100 and 50% Chitosan from shrimp exoskeletons and indole butyric acid at 0.937 and 1.25 g·kg−1 and placed in basins under conditions of the Sonora desert, Mexico. Variables were measured: seed production, physicochemical analysis and lipid profile of the seed. The results affected significant increases (p < 0.05) in the evaluated variables, highlighting the treatment based on Chitosan 100%—IBA 0.937 g·kg−1. The results based on chitosan and IBA in cuttings, are a biostimulant in the morpho-physiology, yield production, and lipid content of S. bigelovii. Large-scale studies as a production system should be considered in further studies.

Germination of Salicornia bigelovii (Torr.) under Shrimp Culture Effluents and the Application of Vermicompost Leachate for Mitigating Salt Stress

Attenuators of salt-stress favor the use of effluents, being a low-cost organic product. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vermicompost leachate (VL) added to shrimp-culture effluent on seeds and seedlings of Salicornia bigelovii (Torr.) under salt-stress, evaluating germination, water relations variables, and biomass. Seeds were irrigated with distilled water (DW) (CE: 0.0027 dS m−1), freshwater (FW) (CE: 1.36 dS m−1), seawater (SW) (CE: 55.83 dS m−1), shrimp residual water (SRW) (CE: 59.85 dS m−1), and with the same water sources but adding VL in 1:20 v/v. The means for the index of germination rate (IGR), germination energy (GE), and germination time (MGT) were higher with DW, DWVL, FW, and FWVL, decreasing with the others (p ≤ 0.05). In seedlings, the lowest water potential (Ψw) and osmotic potential (Ψs) were observed with SW, SWVL, SRW, and SRWVL (p ≤ 0.05), evidencing higher stress but the highest relative water content (RWC). The fresh and dry biomass increased and showed significant differences with SRW, and adding VL (DWVL, FWVL, SWVL, and SRWVL) acted as an effective attenuator of salt-stress. The response of water relations variables suggested an osmotic adjustment for mitigating the salt-stress in seedlings, lowering the Ψw and Ψs but increasing the RWC.

Bio-oil and biochar production from halophyte biomass: effects of pre-treatment and temperature on Salicornia bigelovii pyrolysis

This study reveals the potential of Salicornia bigelovii for producing valuable products via pyrolysis. The presence of metals in the ash inhibited decarboxylation and dehydration during pyrolysis and increased the yield of bio-oil.