Unveiling the lipidomic profile of aerial plant and seed of the halophyte Suaeda albescens and their bioactive properties for food and nutraceutical applications

Halophytes are gaining popularity as healthy food due to their nutritional value, as a source of essential fatty acids (FA), and various bioactive compounds. This study aimed to characterize the lipidome of the mature and green aerial parts, as well as seeds of Suaeda albescens , and evaluate the bioactivity of their lipid extracts. Plants had lower lipid content (1.29–1.45 mg/100 mg DW) than seeds (7.80 mg/100 mg DW). Triacylglycerols accounted for 70% of seed lipids, whereas glycolipids and phospholipids constituted 70% of plant lipids. Lipidomic analysis identified 206 lipid species belonging to different phospholipids, glycolipids and triglycerides, with large numbers of them esterified with n –6 and n –3 FA, including the most abundant FA 18:2 n –6 and FA 18:3 n –3. Changes in the profile of phospholipids and glycolipids distinguished the maturation stages, whereas triacyclglycerols differentiated plant from seed. Both plant and seed extracts exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, establishing S. albescens as a potential source of health-promoting lipids. • Suaeda albescens has high nutritional value, as it is rich in essential and n –3 FA. • Lipidomics identified 206 lipids, including triacylglycerols and polar lipids. • Triacylglycerols concentration is high in seeds. • Over 50% of the lipid composition in plants consists of polar lipids. • Lipid extracts exhibit strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.