Influence of pre-harvest salt treatment on the chlorophyll content and on postharvest chlorophyll degradation in Salicornia europaea

Salicornia europaea is a halophytic plant naturally adapted to saline environments, making it suitable for cultivation with saline irrigation [1]. In the face of global challenges such as drought, freshwater scarcity, and soil salinization, S. europaea emerges as a promising crop. Its edibility and high nutritional value make it a strong candidate as an alternative vegetable for future diets. Among its nutritional components, chlorophylls are not only essential for plant function but also provide health benefits [2]. Therefore, enhancing the chlorophyll content in edible parts of the plant is desirable.

Research indicates that the modulation of cultivation conditions, such as salt and light, can influence the levels of secondary plant metabolites, such as carotenoids and chlorophylls. We investigated how the chlorophyll content in S. europaea responds to preharvest salt treatment. Our findings showed that moderate salt levels increase total chlorophyll content, whereas high salt levels lead to a decline [1]. Salt stress leads to alterations in photosynthesis and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is shown for example in an increased chlorophyll a/b ratio at moderate salt, indicating a chlorophyll degradation by chlorophyll b being converted to chlorophyll a [1].

Next, we investigated whether the salt content in the soil could have an effect on postharvest chlorophyll degradation. We therefore examined how pre-harvest salt treatments affect post-harvest chlorophyll stability. The results show that higher salt concentrations thus influencing the initial chlorophyll content did not negatively impact chlorophyll content during storage. These findings reinforce the potential of S. europaea as a valuable crop for sustainable and nutritious food production.