Salicornia ramosissima Bioactive Composition and Safety: Eco-Friendly Extractions Approach (Microwave-Assisted Extraction vs. Conventional Maceration)

Abstract

Salicornia ramosissima J.Woods is an edible halophyte, widely distributed in the Portuguese salt marsh that has been under valorized. The aim of this study is to expand the knowledge regarding S. ramosissima bioactive composition and safety, highlighting its potential use as nutraceutical ingredient. Therefore, extracts obtained by conventional (CE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were characterized regarding phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, radical scavenging capacity and intestinal cell effects. Moreover, organic pesticides were screened to guarantee the consumers safety. The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed for the CE, as well as the scavenging capacity of O2●− (IC50 = 979.36 µg/mL) and HOCl (IC50 = 90.28 µg/mL). In contrast, the best antioxidant and antiradical activities were achieved by MAE (65.56 µmol FSE/g dw and 17.74 µg AAE/g dw for FRAP and ABTS assays, respectively). The phenolic composition was similar for both extracts, being characterized by the presence of phenolic acids, flavonols, flavanols, flavones and flavanones. The predominant compound for both extracts was myricetin. None of the extracts were cytotoxic in intestinal cell lines. Vestigial levels of β-endosulfan and p,p’-DDE were identified in MAE. These results support that S. ramosissima could be a source of bioactive compounds for nutraceutic industry.

Extraction and Quantification of Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Phenolic Compounds, and Vitamins from Halophyte Biomasses

“…For Suaeda fruticose, they found major compounds to be catechin and chlorogenic acid (1.67 ± 0.08 mg/g and 1.27 ± 0.09 mg/g, respectively). Silva et al [58] used HPLC with a C18 column, a mixture of methanol and water as the mobile phase, and a photodiode array detector (PDA). They found the predominant compound in the extract to be flavonoid myricetin (0.43 ± 0.02 mg/gDM).…”

Evaluation of the Biological Potential of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S.F.Gray and Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell Subcritical Water Extracts

“…To ensure that the 8 fractions obtained after SWE extraction (4 of H. elongata and 4 of E. bicyclis ) were pesticide-free, they were analyzed by the proposed SPE/GC-ECD and SPE/GC-FPD methodology [ 45 , 46 ]. The 21 target pesticides (14 organochlorine and 7 organophosphorus pesticides) were not detected in the SWE extracts.…”

“…Extractions for the pesticides’ analysis were accomplished using a solid-phase extraction methodology followed by gas chromatography analysis. SWE algae extracts were diluted with ultrapure water (1:1) and passed through the SPE C18e cartridge, and the procedure was performed according to Silva et al [ 45 ]. The 14 organochlorine pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography/electron capture detection according to the method described by Fernandes et al [ 46 ], and the 7 organophosphorus pesticides by gas chromatography/flame photometric detector [ 46 ].…”

The Effect of 1.74 and 2.3 GHz Microwave Exposure of Ailanthus Altissima Leaf Extracts on their Antioxidant Content and Activity

“…Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) represents a modern and efficient method of extracting phenolic compounds and flavonoids from various plant sources [11], operating at lower energy and shorter process time compared to those of conventional methods [12]. The use of microwave (MW) energy for extraction of natural compounds is strongly related to heating as a result of ionic conduction and dipole rotation which occur in the solvent and in the sample [13].…”

“…Higher temperatures may negatively affect the thermosensitive compounds, such as phenolics. However, MAE is considered an environmentally friendly technology [14] leading to extracts with lower level of cytotoxicity [11] but a higher protein and sugar content [15].The quality of the process proved to be significantly influenced by various factors, mainly solvent composition (aqueous methanol and ethanol solutions), temperature, extraction time, irradiation power (200-600 W for closed systems), sample moisture [13,16].…”