Effects of salinity and salinity-induced augmented bioactive compounds in purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) for possible economical use

Dry matter (DM), total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoid contents, and antioxidant activity of 12 purslane accessions were investigated against five levels of salinity (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m−1). In untreated plants, the DM contents ranged between 8.0–23.4 g/pot; total phenolics contents (TPC) between 0.96–9.12 mg GAE g−1 DW; total flavonoid contents (TFC) between 0.15–1.44 mg RE g−1 DW; and total carotenoid contents (TCC) between 0.52 BCE g−1 DW. While FRAP activity ranged from 8.64–104.21 mg TE g−1 DW (about 12-fold) and DPPH activity between 2.50–3.30 mg mL−1 IC50 value. Different levels of salinity treatment resulted in 8–35% increases in TPC; about 35% increase in TFC; and 18–35% increases in FRAP activity. Purslane accessions Ac4, Ac5, Ac6 and Ac8 possessed potentials for salinity-induced augmented production of bioactive compounds which in turn can be harnessed for possible human health benefits.