Nutritional composition and anti-nutrients of underutilized Australian indigenous edible halophytes – Saltbush, Seablite and Seapurslane

Abstract

Edible halophytes are receiving significant interest due to their high salinity tolerance, a crucial trait in times of climate change, growing world population and loss of arable land. Though they are widely distributed and popular for their diverse “applications” among Indigenous communities in Australia, studies on their nutritional profile are limited. Therefore, the nutritional composition and anti-nutrients of three important Australian indigenous edible halophytes (AIEH), Saltbush (Atriplex sp.), Seablite (Suaeda sp.) and Seapurslane (Sesuvium sp.), was determined. Saltbush had the highest fiber content (41.5 g/100 g dry weight (DW)), whereas all AIEH contained considerable amounts of essential minerals and trace elements (especially Ca and Fe), and protein (up to 20.1 g/100 g DW). Linoleic, α-linolenic and palmitic acid were the main fatty acids in the studied AIEH. Betanin and isobetanin were identified in Seapurslane, which was also highest in Vitamin C (157 mg/100 g DW). Folate was highest in Saltbush, with 303 µg/100 g DW. Malic, isocitric, citric and quinic acid were the main organic acids. Anti-nutrients were generally lower than in Spinach (DW), a “popular relative” of Saltbush and Seablite (Amaranthaceae family). Potential applications of AIEH as a healthy side dish or (functional) food ingredient should be explored further.