Metabolomic Fingerprinting and Molecular Characterization of the Rock Samphire Germplasm Collection from the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, Northern Greece

Abstract

The traditionally edible aerial parts of rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum L.) could be a valuable functional food or feed ingredient due to their high antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid content, and rich content in secondary metabolites such as phenolics and flavonoids. The first objective of this study was to evaluate eighteen genotypes derived from different regions of Greece regarding the phytochemical contents of their soluble extracts in total phenolics, total flavonoids, and individual polyphenols as determined by LC-MS analysis, as well as ascorbic acid content and their antioxidant capacity as determined by different assays, including ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. The second objective of the study was the molecular characterization of native Greek C. maritimum genotypes. Great variation among genotypes was observed in terms of the antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid content, and phenolic compounds (total phenolic content and total flavonoid content), as well as in caffeolquinic acids and flavonoids. The principal component analysis highlighted genotypes with a higher potential in antioxidants and polyphenolics. The most promising genotypes were G9 from Kefalonia, followed by G4 from Ikaria, where both clearly exhibited a similar response with high values of evaluated traits. The molecular characterization of genotypes revealed low variability and low to moderate genetic diversity between populations. Our data indicated that the rock samphire germplasm collection from the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia could serve as an important source of documented genetic material and, thus, it is suggested for further investigation to provide insight regarding cultivation and agro-processing aspects, artificial selection, or plant breeding aimed at developing C. maritimum genotypes of high-bioactive value.

Chemical Profiling of Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum L., Apiaceae) Essential Oils and Their Isolation Residual Waste-Waters

“…Meot Duros and Magné [ 37 ] reported that sea fennel is one of the species with the highest chlorogenic acid content within the Apiaceae family. The presence of this compound in the highest concentration in sea fennel was also reported in our previous studies [ 8 , 9 ] and by other authors [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Among other compounds, two isomers of chlorogenic acid were found in high concentrations: cryptochlorogenic acid (4- O -caffeoylquinic acid) and neochlorogenic acid (5- O -caffeoylquinic acid).…”

“…Among the constituents that sea fennel contains, phenolic compounds are the most widely investigated because they are secondary plant metabolites with a wide range of structures and positive biological functions. Numerous previous studies also confirmed the presence of valuable phytochemicals (from Table 2 ) in sea fennel samples as the main bioactive compounds [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 22 , 36 ].…”

“…Previous studies and revisions pointed out the richness of sea fennel in biologically active and nutritionally valuable compounds such as phenolic compounds [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 19 ], vitamin C [ 4 , 12 ], minerals (mainly calcium) [ 3 , 10 , 14 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], organic acids [ 36 ], carotenoids [ 10 ], carbohydrates [ 36 , 37 ], fatty acids, proteins, dietary fibers [ 36 ], etc. Among the constituents that sea fennel contains, phenolic compounds are the most widely investigated because they are secondary plant metabolites with a wide range of structures and positive biological functions.…”

“…Özcan et al [ 31 ] reported the presence of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and p -coumaric acid in high concentrations in their study. Souid et al [ 17 ] detected trans -ferulic acid, and Kadoglidou et al [ 12 ] confirmed the presence of protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, and p -coumaric acid (although in negligible amounts compared to the dominant chlorogenic acid and its isomers). This is in agreement with our results, where higher concentrations of caffeic acid (0.52 mg/g) and ferulic acid (0.30 mg/g) were found in flowers, and p -hydroxybenzoic acid (0.39 mg/g) in leaves.…”

“…Numerous studies investigated sea fennel as a low-cost raw material with great nutritional value and functional properties to obtain natural, bioactive and health-promoting food ingredients [ 3 , 4 ]. Sea fennel is rich in various bioactive compounds with a recognized spectrum of different positive properties that have been investigated in previously published studies, such as antioxidant [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], antibacterial [ 6 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], antifungal [ 5 , 10 , 17 , 18 ], cytotoxic [ 4 , 18 ], anticancer [ 19 ], anti-inflammatory [ 4 , 5 ], antimutagenic [ 17 ], cholinesterase inhibitory [ 8 , 9 ], vasodilatory [ 9 ], and anti-parasitic [ 20 ] properties. In most of these studies, no matter if the authors were investigating sea fennel EO or non-volatile extracts, the dominant compounds in sea fennel isolates were the main contributors of the evaluated activity.…”