Abstract
Aerial biomass of the edible halophyte species Salicornia emerici Duval-Jouve and Sarcocornia alpini (Lag.) Rivas Mart. (Amaranthaceae), collected from southern Tunisia, were investigated as potential sources of functional ingredients. For that purpose, dried biomass was profiled for proximate and mineral composition, and its hydroethanolic extracts were analyzed for phenolics contents by spectrophotometric and chromatographic (HPLC-ESI-MS) methods. The extracts were then profiled for in vitro antioxidant properties (radical scavenging activity (RSA) of DPPH and ABTS radicals, and ferric reducing power (FRAP)), cytotoxicity, and enzymatic inhibition toward enzymes related with 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). Biomass had relevant levels of minerals, especially sodium, potassium and iron. The extracts were not toxic, contained various bioactive phenolic compounds, such as naringin and quinic acid and exhibited relevant FRAP and inhibition properties against α-glucosidase and tyrosinase. Our findings suggest that there is potential to further explore the biomass from S. alpini and S. emerici as safe and sustainable sources of nutrients and of natural products with antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-tyrosinase properties, which might yield significant economic benefits for the southeastern region of Tunisia.