Unraveling the nutraceutical potential of Salicornia ramosissima by-product – impact of gastrointestinal digestion and intestinal permeability on in vitro bioactivity

Salicornia ramosissima by-product (SP) is an underexploited antioxidant-rich by-product. This study explored the phytochemical profile, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of SP before and after extraction (SBE and SAE, respectively) upon gastrointestinal simulated digestion and intestinal permeability. The phenolic and flavonoid concentrations increased during digestion, reaching bioaccessibility rates above 95 % for both SBE and SAE. Promising antioxidant/antiradical properties and neuroprotective effects were attested upon digestion. Regarding the phytochemical profile, 17 compounds were identified, including (di)caffeoylquinic acids, gallocatechin, and triterpenoid saponins. The intestinal absorption of bioactive compounds from SAE and SBE intestinal digests was proven through a Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells co-culture model, with 4-caffeoylquinic acid (34.84 %) and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (26.73 %) reaching the highest permeation rates after 4 h, respectively, for SAE and SBE. These findings support the harnessing of SP as a promising functional and nutraceutical ingredient rich in pro-healthy compounds with proven bioactivity upon in vitro digestion and intestinal permeation.