Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study
Biodiversity is a reservoir of potential sources of novel food and feed ingredients with suitable compositions for the improvement of the diet and well-being of humans and farmed animals. The halophyte <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> occurs in habitats that are exposed to seawater inundati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/11/1533 |
| _version_ | 1797549881165873152 |
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| author | Lorenzo Zanella Fabio Vianello |
| author_facet | Lorenzo Zanella Fabio Vianello |
| author_sort | Lorenzo Zanella |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Biodiversity is a reservoir of potential sources of novel food and feed ingredients with suitable compositions for the improvement of the diet and well-being of humans and farmed animals. The halophyte <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> occurs in habitats that are exposed to seawater inundations, and shows biochemical adaptations to saline and oxidative stresses. Its composition includes long chain lipids, sterols, phenolic compounds, glutathione and carotenoids. These organic compounds and micronutrients, such as Fe, Zn, Co and Cu, make this plant suitable as an optimal functional food that is potentially able to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in humans and animals. Indeed, many of these compounds have a protective activity in humans against cardiovascular pathologies, cancer, and degenerative processes related to aging. The analysis of its history as food and forage, which dates back thousands of years, attests that it can be safely consumed. Here, the limits of its chemical and microbiological contamination are suggested in order to comply with the European regulations. The productivity of <i>A. portulacoides</i> in natural environments, and its adaptability to non-saline soils, make it a potential crop of high economic interest. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:21:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60937335d54a47d195bd61624de956cf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:21:41Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj.art-60937335d54a47d195bd61624de956cf2023-11-20T18:25:49ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582020-10-01911153310.3390/foods9111533Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case StudyLorenzo Zanella0Fabio Vianello1Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, ItalyDepartment of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, ItalyBiodiversity is a reservoir of potential sources of novel food and feed ingredients with suitable compositions for the improvement of the diet and well-being of humans and farmed animals. The halophyte <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> occurs in habitats that are exposed to seawater inundations, and shows biochemical adaptations to saline and oxidative stresses. Its composition includes long chain lipids, sterols, phenolic compounds, glutathione and carotenoids. These organic compounds and micronutrients, such as Fe, Zn, Co and Cu, make this plant suitable as an optimal functional food that is potentially able to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in humans and animals. Indeed, many of these compounds have a protective activity in humans against cardiovascular pathologies, cancer, and degenerative processes related to aging. The analysis of its history as food and forage, which dates back thousands of years, attests that it can be safely consumed. Here, the limits of its chemical and microbiological contamination are suggested in order to comply with the European regulations. The productivity of <i>A. portulacoides</i> in natural environments, and its adaptability to non-saline soils, make it a potential crop of high economic interest.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/11/1533halophyte<i>Atriplex portulacoides</i>food supplementfunctional foodantioxidantssustainable food production |
| spellingShingle | Lorenzo Zanella Fabio Vianello Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study Foods halophyte <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> food supplement functional food antioxidants sustainable food production |
| title | Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study |
| title_full | Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study |
| title_fullStr | Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study |
| title_short | Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> as a Case Study |
| title_sort | functional food from endangered ecosystems i atriplex portulacoides i as a case study |
| topic | halophyte <i>Atriplex portulacoides</i> food supplement functional food antioxidants sustainable food production |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/11/1533 |
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