Determination of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the halophytes <i>Suaeda edulis</i> and <i>Suaeda esteroa</i> (Chenopodiaceae): An option as novel healthy agro-foods

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Food security is relevant due to the uncertain availability of healthy food. Accordingly, it is necessary to know the biological potential of new crops as a food source to meet the basic nutritional needs of a growing population. This study aimed to analyze chemical extractions of the cultivated species <italic>Suaeda edulis</italic> and its wild relative <italic>S. esteroa</italic> to determine their biological and nutritional value. For analysis, we collected 25 plants of <italic>S. edulis</italic> in the chinampas-producing area of Xochimilco, Mexico City, and 25 plants of <italic>S. esteroa</italic> in Balandra beach, Baja California Sur, Mexico. We quantified total phenols, total flavonoids, and the total antioxidant capacity of free and conjugated fractions by Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum trichloride, DPPH, and TEAC spectrophotometric methods. <italic>S. esteroa</italic> reflected a higher content of total phenols, total flavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity (free and conjugated) than the values of <italic>S. edulis</italic>. We determined 39.94 and 49.64% higher values of total phenol content in <italic>S. esteroa</italic> than <italic>S. edulis</italic>, 36 and 40.33% in total flavonoid content, 32.92 and 40.50% in total antioxidant capacity by DPPH, and 34.45 and 48.91% by TEAC for free and conjugated fractions, respectively. We identified 11 phenolic compounds in both halophytes; among them, the free form ferulic acid, gallic acid, and rutin showed high concentrations in <italic>S. edulis</italic>, whereas quercetin and ferulic acid were more abundant in <italic>S. esteroa</italic>. The conjugated fraction showed lower concentrations than the free fraction. In conclusion, we found a high biologically active potential of the halophytes studied; this could boost their consumption, which in turn would offer <italic>S. edulis</italic> and <italic>S. esteroa</italic> as new sustainable crops to help address food shortages in regions with water scarcity or soil salinity, as well as to counteract chronic degenerative diseases associated with obesity.</p> </abstract>