Doctoral Thesis Dr. Maria Fitzner

Dr. Maria Fitzner's work was dedicated to the cultivation of selected halophytes in saline indoor farming and modulation of cultivation conditions to optimize metabolite profiles for human nutrition.

The aim of the work was to investigate halophytes as potential alternative vegetables for future food production in urban areas as well as their nutritional quality. After establishing suitable cultivation methods and recording the composition of the halophytes, the influences of the cultivation conditions on the nutritional properties were examined.

Finally, underlying plant physiological mechanisms that contribute to the changes in ingredient profiles were explored and shown how these can be specifically used to modulate ingredient profiles. Important results of the demanding work are published in four peer-reviewed scientific publications; you can find these on our website under the “Publications” category or directly here:

1) M. Fitzner, M. Schreiner, S. Baldermann, Comprehensive characterization of selected phytochemicals andminerals of selected edible halophytes grown in saline indoorfarming for future food production, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 122, 105435

2) M. Fitzner, A. Fricke, M. Schreiner, S. Baldermann, Utilization of regional natural brines for the indoor cultivation of Salicornia europaea, Sustainability, 2021, 13, 12105

3) M. Fitzner, M. Schreiner, S. Baldermann, The interaction of salinity and light regime modulates photosynthetic pigment content in edible halophytes in greenhouse and indoor farming, Frontiers in Plant Science. 2023;14

4) M. Fitzner, M. Schreiner, S. Baldermann, Between eustress and distress: UVB induced changes in carotenoidaccumulation in halophytic Salicornia europaea, Journal of Plant Physiology