Barroca, M. J.Mansinhos, I. F. P.Guiné, Raquel P. F.Silva, A. M.2021-11-112021-11-112021Barroca MJ, Mansinhos IFP, Guiné RPF, Silva AM. (2021) Study of antioxidant activity in extracts from fresh and dried halophyte plants. Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design, 36, 143-149.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/6886Salicornia macrostachya Moric. and Sarcocornia perennis subsp. alpini belong to the same family and share morphological and organoleptic characteristics. The visually appealing in terms of freshness, color and particular taste, nutritional values and health benefits are recognized by their consumers as attributes that warrant their gourmet status. The objective of this work was to study the effect of incubation time on antioxidant capacity of these plants. Moreover, the work investigates the antioxidant activity of the extracts of the two halophyte plants and evaluates the effect of air drying the plants at 40 ºC and the procedure of concentration the extracts before evaluating the antioxidant activity, measured with DPPH method. The two halophyte plants, Salicornia macrostachya Moric. and Sarcocornia perennis subsp. alpini were collected from Portuguese salt pans, in the central region of Portugal, and the aerial parts were used as raw material. The drying of plants was performed in a pilot tray drier at 40 ºC and air velocity of 1.5 m/s, for approximately 3 days. The DPPH free radical scavenging of the methanolic extracts was analysed in extracts obtained from fresh and dried plants. The determination of the antioxidant activity was made with the DPPH radical. The results showed that, in summary, and regarding the DPPH assay, the incubation time of 15 minutes is enough to measure the DPPH scavenging activity in halophyte extracts. Furthermore, the convective air-drying process at 40 ºC showed to be an appropriate process to increase the shelf life of the halophyte plants and the antioxidant capacoty of the halophyte plants, as a response to the stress provoked by the heat and humidity drying conditions. The plant extracts showed significant antioxidant potential, with high radical scavenging activity. The extracts prepared from Salicornia macrostachya and Sarcocornia perennis had, respectively, values of IC50 equal to 1.09 and 1.42 mg/mL. However, the antioxidant activity of extracts obtained from dried plants increased much more since the IC50 decreased to around 0.6 mg/mL, regardless of the halophyte plant. Both halophytes plant are a valuable source of natural antioxidants and nutrients for use in food. Besides, their crude extracts may represent a valuable source for developing novel food products (antioxidant-enriched foods) that satisfy the desires of consumers in terms of health benefits and sensorial acceptance.engSalicorniaSarcocorniaExtractionDryingAntioxidant activityConcentrationjournal article