Halophytes, salt-tolerant plants, are a source of valuable secondary metabolites with potential as functional foods or nutraceuticals. We are interested in finding the optimal cultivation conditions for increasing the contents of these valuable compounds. Growth conditions away from the optimum can induce stress resulting in changes in secondary metabolites. We analyzed metabolites with antioxidant capacity in seedlings and plants from different families and habitats grown under different salt concentrations. We show that it is possible to manipulate the antioxidant capacity of plants and seedlings by altering the saline growing environment, the length of time under saline cultivation and the developmental stage.

It is assumed that salinity enhances the concentration of valuable metabolites in halophytes. The objective was to find a salt concentration and a point in time at which the yield for the valuable metabolites was maximal. Therefore, three different halophyte species were grown under different salinities and harvested over a period from shortly after stress induction up to three weeks. Various reaction patterns were found in the metabolite composition of the analyzed plant material. Halimione portulacoides showed a “short term response”, indicated by an increase in all metabolites analyzed after a few hours, whereas Crithmum maritimum showed a “long term response” through accumulation of proline starting after days. Triglochin maritima did not change in metabolite concentration, but like the other plant species the biomass was reduced by salinity. Generally, a higher production in secondary metabolites by higher salinity was outbalanced by a reduction in biomass production. Concentrations of analyzed antioxidants showed a similar reaction and correlated with each other.

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BioInvasions Records is a new open access peer-reviewed international journal focusing on the rapid publication of applied research on invasive species and biological invasions in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems around the world. BioInvasions Records is a continuation of the former Aquatic Invasions Records, an electronic supplement of the open access international journal Aquatic Invasions. BioInvasions Records is devoted to bridging the gap between scientific research and the use of science in decision-making, regulation, and management as it pertains to the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS) and biodiversity conservation. Thus, this new journal provides a forum for professionals involved in research and management of IAS. BioInvasions Records contributes to rapid information dissemination, risk assessment procedures, and early detection and rapid response on IAS. The incorporation of open access journals into the REABIC information system represents an innovative approach to IAS-related information management and ensures sustainability of REABIC-based information management tools.

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