HALÓFITAS: NUTRIENTES, COMPOSTOS BIOATIVOS, CARACTERIZAÇÃO QUÍMICA E APLICAÇÕES POTENCIAIS

Abstract

Halophytes are plants adapted to saline soils found in a diversity of environments with varying climatic conditions and high salinity, developing different strategies to complete their life cycle. Their ecological, morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptations allow resistance to the abiotic stresses suffered and the formation of bioactive compounds that give these plants anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant potential properties. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out a bibliographic review on halophyte plants, compiling their different biological activities, their nutritional compounds, potential applications for the pharmaceutical and food industries, their biotechnological use, production of renewable energy and their participation in the blue economy. Halophytes have vast potential for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, as well as being a sustainable alternative in the production of animal feed and a viable possibility for replacing the use of table salt and its various applications in human nutrition. They have proven to be important allies for environmental reconstruction with their use aimed at phytoremediation of saline soils and coastal environments affected by pollution, in addition to strengthening and developing the blue economy through their cultivation integrated with shrimp farming, serving as a substrate for animal feed.