Ecological conditions, phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of three Mediterranean halophytes in Egypt

Halophytes that can live in a wide range of saline soils have significant economic value and can be employed for environmental restoration and medicinal applications. The soil characteristics, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant potency of three Mediterranean halophytes (Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb., Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., and M. nodiflorum L.) from Egypt were determined in this study. The findings revealed that the examined halophytes favored soil with a coarse-sandy texture, a slightly alkaline pH, a high salt content, and low organic matter and macronutrient levels. M. nodiflorum had the highest concentration of total phenols (44.42 mg GAE g-1 dry extract), alkaloids (9.48 mg g-1 dry extract), and tannins (26.3 mg TAE g-1 dry extract), while M. crystallinum had the highest concentration of flavonoids (11.45 mg CE g-1 dry extract) and saponins (19.17 mg g-1). M. nodiflorum exhibited the highest scavenging activity against DPPH (IC50= 2.8 mg/ml) and ABTS (55.1% inhibition). The current study's findings suggest that the investigated halophytes are possibilities for green use as food or feed supplements, or biological applications.