This plant is gaining scientific attention for its potential to serve as an oil crop that can be grown in desert environments and maintained with water containing high levels of salts. It is the source of salicornia oil. The plant is up to 33% oil.[7] The oil contains up to 79% linoleic acid and is functionally similar to safflower oil.[8] It can be used as a cooking oil and a replacement for more valuable oils in chicken feed.