Lipid composition of seeds of local halophytes: Cakile maritima, Zygophyllum album and Crithmum maritimum

Abstract

Halophytes, naturally adapted to high salinity, have been traditionally grazed by animals for a long time in arid areas of north African countries (Le Houérou, 1992; Wilson, 1994; Choukr-Allah, 1996). Several species such as Atriplex halimus and A. nummularia could be considered as potential sources of fodder in the Mediterranean basin. Outside this utilisation, most halophytes remain at present largely undomesticated. However, recent studies have allowed the consideration of a wide variety of seed-producing halophytes as new sources of grains or vegetable oils. Some salt-tolerant grains and oilseeds of species such as Salicornia bigelovii have already been used or examined (Shay, 1990; Glenn, 1991). In order to identify local Tunisian halophytes presenting an economical interest as oilseed-species, we have explored some salty Tunisian areas. Three interesting species have been identified as oil producers which are called Zygophyllum album, Cakile maritima and Crithmum maritimum. The first species is a perennial plant and has been identified in salty depressions, while the second is an annual plant localised in marine sands and the latter is found in rocky coasts in the north of Tunisia (Novikoff, 1961).