## 3 Results and Discussion  
### Proximate Composition of S. perennis  
The nutritional and mineral composition of _Sarcocornia perennis_ is presented in Table 2.  
Like most vegetables, _Sarcocornia_ species, namely _S. perennis_ collected in Tejo estuary, are low in protein and lipids. However, _Sarcocornia_ species collected in Southern Portugal have a slightly higher content of lipids (1.20-2.25%) and lower content of protein (6.9-8.10%) [19]. The different protein content can be associated with the stress response to natural stress conditions, such as temperature, salinity and UV radiation that contribute to protein synthesis [34]. In addition, _S. perennis_ is rich in dietary fiber, from which 86% is the insoluble portion of dietary fibre, corresponding to compounds such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Similarly, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) obtained to Sarcocornia species of Southern Portugal is in the range of 20.8-34.1% [19]. The high levels of insoluble dietary fibre and the low caloric content of this halophyte (158.03 \(\pm\) 0.05 kcal/100 g dry weight) can promote important health benefits including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and weight loss.  
Generically, the ash levels (33.84 \(\pm\) 0.03% dw) of this _S. perennis_ collected in Tejo estuary (Alcochete, Portugal) are higher than those observed for _S. perennis_ sampled in Southern Portugal (23.3%) [25], but lower than the same halophyte collected from salt pans in Figueira da Foz (43.62%) [22] which may be related with the mineral composition of the soils from which the halophytes were collected.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline Biochemical Compounds (g/100 g) \\ \hline Moisture content & 6.42 \(\pm\) 0.05 \\ Total lipids & 0.85 \(\pm\) 0.03 \\ Protein & 11.28 \(\pm\) 0.08 \\ Crude fiber & 9.84 \(\pm\) 0.06 \\ Total dietary fiber & 23.18 \(\pm\) 0.05 \\ Insoluble dietary fiber & 19.99 \(\pm\) 0.03 \\ Soluble dietary fiber & 3.19 \(\pm\) 0.03 \\ Carbohydrates & 14.79 \(\pm\) 0.10 \\ Total ash & 33.84 \(\pm\) 0.03 \\ \hline \hline \multicolumn{3}{c}{Minerals (mg/100 g)} \\ \hline Sodium (Na) & 7614.12 \(\pm\) 49.78 \\ Potassium (K) & 1116.57 \(\pm\) 11.84 \\ Calcium (Ca) & 275.81 \(\pm\) 6.32 \\ Magnesium (Mg) & 510.80 \(\pm\) 8.94 \\ Phosphor (P) & 144.22 \(\pm\) 1.96 \\ Iron (Fe) & 11.54 \(\pm\) 050 \\ Copper (Cu) & 1.09 \(\pm\) 0.09 \\ Zinc (Zn) & 2.98 \(\pm\) 0.08 \\ Manganese (Mn) & 2.97 \(\pm\) 0.07 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Proximate composition of dried _S. perennis_ (powder).  
S. perennisis is a valuable source of essential minerals, having the more relevant sodium and potassium and in a lower extension of magnesium, calcium and phosphor. Sodium is a vital mineral in maintaining electronic fluid balance, but its excessive consumption is associated with cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. However, the high levels of potassium, also essential to an adequate fluid balance, might contribute to reducing the harmful effects of sodium excess since improves the excretion of sodium from the body. Sodium, potassium and magnesium were also the macro-mineral prevalent in S. perennis species collected in Southern Portugal [25]. Iron, copper, zinc and manganese are essential micronutrients that play essential roles in chloroplast reactions, protein synthesis, and hormone growth, among others [35]. The levels of these minerals are like those found in edible _Sarcocornia perennis_ plant collected in Southern Portugal [25]. Even though the concentrations of these micronutrients in halophyte powder are low, the intake of 10 g of S. perennis powder provides 8.2%, 10.9%, 3.0%, 14.8% of the daily value recommended values to iron, copper, zinc and manganese, respectively [33].