Salicornia seed oil: A high-yielding and sustainable halophytic feedstock for biodiesel and energy in underutilized hypersaline coastal deserts

Addressing the critical need for sustainable biofuel sources that do not compete with prime agricultural land, this work presents a promising evaluation of Salicornia species as novel biodiesel feedstocks cultivable in underutilized coastal hypersaline regions. The research leveraged a successful pilot plant application, demonstrating the practical large-scale cultivation of Salicornia as an energy feedstock in these environments. Through innovative integration of advanced analytical techniques and multivariate statistical approaches, S. bigelovii and S. sinus-persica were comprehensively analyzed for their biodiesel potential. S. bigelovii seeds exhibited superior oil content (20.6 wt%) compared to S. sinus-persica (11.6 wt%), with an exceptional oil yield potential of 11,442 kg/ha, surpassing established biodiesel feedstocks. Oil extraction experiments also showed that cleaned high-density S. bigelovii seeds yielded up to 36.0 % oil content. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling and biodiesel properties confirmed that both species meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. The multivariate analyses revealed interesting relationships between Salicornia oils and other feedstocks, providing valuable insights for future breeding programs. Furthermore, advanced imaging elucidated Salicornia seed microstructures and oil distribution. This research establishes a robust analytical framework for evaluating novel biodiesel sources with significant implications for sustainable energy production in marginal lands. The findings pave the way for developing high-yielding, salt-tolerant energy crops, enhancing biodiesel feedstock cultivation in salt-affected coastal areas worldwide. By tackling both energy security and land use challenges in a changing climate, the study marks a breakthrough in sustainable biodiesel research.