Reviewing the Prospects of Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) as Emerging Vegetable Crop

Abstract

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), a perennial halophyte typical of coastal habits, is well known for several food and non-food uses. This review presents both the characteristics and ethnobotany as well as the findings, technical advances and potential of sea fennel research with the aim to improve and disseminate knowledge regarding the value and potentials of this halophyte. Current knowledge suggest that sea fennel shows good potential as an emerging crop, being a refined food and also an interesting source of human health compounds and crop protection products. Moreover, sea fennel may be proposed as an alternative and sustainable cash crop also in the context of a saline agriculture regime. On the other hand, some aspects of sea fennel require further understanding; therefore, new research and development activities should be carried out before full commercial exploitation.

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertigation and Harvesting Time on Plant Growth and Chemical Composition of Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta (DC.) Runemark

“…Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient that has to be replenished with fertilizer application before and during the growing period based on the cropping schedule of farmers [27,28]. In contrast to conventional crops, several studies have indicated the low requirements of wild or semi-domesticated species in nitrogen and agrochemical inputs, which further emphasize the importance of integrating such novel/alternative species in modern farming systems aiming at sustainable production of horticultural products [9,[29][30][31]. However, apart from the total applied amounts, the source of nitrogen also has to be considered for achieving high yields and final products of improved quality and high added value [32][33][34].…”

“…The Mediterranean basin is abounding with numerous wild edible species, which have been widely used for food purposes throughout the centuries as part of the traditional Mediterranean diet [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The increasing number of scientific reports about the beneficial health effects that stem from the regular consumption of such species [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] has encouraged many research efforts regarding the commercial cultivation of these species, aiming to increase our knowledge on the best agronomic practices [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The growing tendency of consumers to a more “natural” lifestyle, including new food habits or shifting to traditional diets, and the well-confirmed health benefits attributed to wild edible species has created market niches and rekindled the interest of the food industry sector [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The growing tendency of consumers to a more “natural” lifestyle, including new food habits or shifting to traditional diets, and the well-confirmed health benefits attributed to wild edible species has created market niches and rekindled the interest of the food industry sector [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Several studies have suggested the cultivation of various wild leafy species in soilless cultivation, aiming to increase productivity through short growth cycles and better nutrient availability, as well as to improve quality of the final products [ 9 , 10 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

1H-NMR metabolomics reveals a multitarget action of Crithmum maritimum ethyl acetate extract in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth

“…2 c), a complex pattern of resonances, with several weak signals, in the range 6.4–6.6 ppm was assigned to the conjugated double bonds of carotenoids 17 , 22 . Despite a lower content for the other Apiaceae species, Crithmum maritimum is considered a good source of carotenoids, known for their important antioxidant properties 20 . Characteristic signals for the vinyl protons at 6.32 ppm (J = 15 Hz) and 7.60 ppm (J = 15 Hz) are compatible with caffeoyl moieties of hydroxycinnamic acids, such as chlorogenic acid, reported to be major phenolic compounds in Crithmum maritimum aerial parts 20 , 24 , 25 .…”

“…Despite a lower content for the other Apiaceae species, Crithmum maritimum is considered a good source of carotenoids, known for their important antioxidant properties 20 . Characteristic signals for the vinyl protons at 6.32 ppm (J = 15 Hz) and 7.60 ppm (J = 15 Hz) are compatible with caffeoyl moieties of hydroxycinnamic acids, such as chlorogenic acid, reported to be major phenolic compounds in Crithmum maritimum aerial parts 20 , 24 , 25 . Interestingly, strongly coupled doublets at 7.0 and 6.78 ppm were not observed in the methanol extract (see Supplementary Fig.…”