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Silybum marianum L. Gaertn is a spontaneous plant whose medicinal properties have been used for over two thousand years. This study aims to clarify the understanding and utilisation of S. marianum by the rural and urban populations of Ouezzane region in Morocco, in order to assess the level of recognition and exploitation of this plant. An ethnobotanical survey in this region involved a sample of 140 individuals. Survey results are analyzed using SPSS. The survey results have revealed a significantly limited level of appreciation for S. marianum. Through the use of chi-square statistical tests, we identified significant relationships between our variables and the knowledge about S. marianum and its use. Based on the findings of our study, Silybum marianum L. remains one of Morocco's most neglected and underutilized plants. This may be due to a lack of knowledge or adequate information about its applications, a lack of general interest or even socio-economic factors that limit its exploitation.

Ammi visnaga L. Lam. is the most popular therapeutic plant in the Mediterranean region. Umbel is a traditional Moroccan remedy for diabetes, and oral care. The main goal of this study was to determine which extractor solvents had a particular affinity for the total phenolic content (TPC) found in the roots of Ammi visnaga. Using solvents chosen from the first step, the phenolic contents were maximized using the mixture design response surface methodology. The optimal solvent mixes of 10% methanol, 50% water, and 40% ethanol were used to prepare the root extracts. This study was designed to examine the phenolic profile of Moroccan Ammi visnaga L. roots using UHPLC/DAD–MS/MS Assessing the antioxidant capacities with the use of four complimentary tests (TAC, TPC, CUPRAC, and HCA). The obtained results showed the peak of antioxidant activity TAC (10.17±1.4 mg/g AAE) and TPC (15,99±0,4 mg GAE/g)).Various bioactive compounds (21 components) with different concentrations were identified, including isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (25.8%),and isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (22.3%), which are the three most abundant individual phenolic compounds. The findings revealed the presence of numerous bioactive substances with important biological capabilities in the roots of A. visnaga L., emphasizing the need for further experimental model validation of the data.

The purpose of the current study is to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected eating behavior and directed toward organic food and bioproducts consumption in the North African region especially Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia as well as identify the variables that may affect the eating behavior of these population. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey on 1,244 respondents from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The results showed that the confinement did influence the consumption of healthy food to enhance people’s immune system so as to prevent infection by the COVID-19, and other diseases. Moreover, academic level, gender, and country of residence were diversely correlated with the eating behavior during COVID-19 confinement. The understanding of people’s eating behavior will help the public health to reshape future policies toward organic and bio-based food production; moreover, some further nutritional recommendations could be concluded to maintain a global better health status and improve body defence mechanism.

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ammi visnaga L. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the Mediterranean area. In Morocco, the umbel is traditionally prescribed for mouth care, toothache, and diabetes. This study was designed to examine the affinity of different solvents towards total phenolic compounds (TPC) from the dried umbels of Ammi visnaga. Mixture Design Response Surface Methodology was performed to maximize phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity using the selected solvents from the first step. Plant extracts were prepared using the optimized solvent mixtures. Ternary mixture with 66.67% acetone, 16.67% water, and 16.67% methanol was the most proper mixture to obtain high TPC (29.62 ± 0.60 mg EGA/g dw). Pure methanol was appropriate for TAC followed by binary mixture of 50% water and 50% acetone and ternary mixture with equal proportion of three studied solvents. Special cubic model explained the variance of the total phenolic content, and the antioxidant activity of our extracts at levels of R2 are greater than 95%. In general, the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of our extracts increased with the increasing amount of water in the methanol or acetone solvent mixture. The extraction ability of phenolic compounds was also influenced positively and significantly by the water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study is to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected eating behavior and directed toward organic food and bioproducts consumption in the North African region especially Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia as well as identify the variables that may affect the eating behavior of these population. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey on 1,244 respondents from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The results showed that the confinement did influence the consumption of healthy food to enhance people’s immune system so as to prevent infection by the COVID-19, and other diseases. Moreover, academic level, gender, and country of residence were diversely correlated with the eating behavior during COVID-19 confinement. The understanding of people’s eating behavior will help the public health to reshape future policies toward organic and bio-based food production; moreover, some further nutritional recommendations could be concluded to maintain a global better health status and improve body defence mechanism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to elaborate many juice formulas (F1 to F8) from two dried fruits (jujubes: Ziziphus lotus L. and dates: Phoenix dactylifera L.). Physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the formula juices shows that juices rich in dates fruits (F1, F3, F5, and F7) are loaded, on average, in total sugars (129.5 g/l), proteins (3.02 g/l), lipids (1.08 g/l), and carotenoid (0.02 mg/l), while juices rich in jujube fruits (F2, F4, F6, and F8) are overloaded, on average, in phenolic compounds (697 mg/l), flavonoids (6.32 mg/l), condensed tannins (2.1 mg/l), hydrolysable tannins (359.5 mg/l), and viscosity (1.062 mm 10-3 s). All formulations developed have a pH that rotates between 5.12 and 5.20. Total antioxidant capacity (CAT) reveals that formulations F1, F3, F5, and F7 show a strong activity compared to the other formulas. The DPPH test shows that all formulated juices have the same antioxidant profile with IC50 values lower than the template (BHT and Vit C). The FRAP test reveals that F2, F4, F6, and F8 formulas have a strong reducing power. Organoleptic evaluation by a jury shows that F4 formula is the best in terms of odor, aroma, and aftertaste agreeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)