Nutritious salt alternative using Indigenous bush food

A group of plants used by First Nations Australians as food, animal fodder and medicine could have potential as a nutritious alternative to salt, according to University of Queensland research.

According to PhD candidate Sukirtha Srivarathan from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), Australian edible halophytes, such as samphire, seablite, saltbush and sea purslane, have been used for more than 65,000 years and have both nutritional benefits and bioactive properties.

“They’re a good source of protein and most of them are a good source of fibre, minerals and trace elements, especially calcium, iron, potassium and zinc, while some also have considerable amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin C,” she said.

“Now we’re looking at how we can use these plants in food production.”

QAAFI Senior Research Fellow Dr Michael Netzel said the salt-tolerant halophytes are a sustainable food source.

“Halophytes have a lot of bioactive compounds, so it’s a more sustainable and healthy choice to eat as a salad or side dish,” Netzel said.

“For example, instead of table salt you can use halophytes as a freeze-dried powder condiment.”

The research was conducted through the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods at the request of a Western Australian First Nation community led by Bruno Dann and Marion Manson.

Uncle Bruno said halophytes have long been a staple food for Nyul Nyul people in the Kimberley region, healthy mai (bushfood) collected seasonally by his mimies (grandmothers) and gullords (grandfathers).

Srivarathan said she consulted extensively with the community during her research because there was not much western literature on the subject.

When her PhD is completed, Srivarathan will continue to work with the community to get a product into market and plans to co-design a dehydrated halophyte substance.

Image caption: Sukirtha Srivarathan and Dr Michael Netzel with native halophytes. Image credit: © Megan Pope