Search

First convectional thin layer drying of two fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties growing in Morocco, using partially indirect convective dryer, was performed. The experimental design combined three air temperature levels (60, 70 and 80 °C) and two air-flow rates (150 and 300 m3/h). Fig drying curve was defined as a third-order polynomial equation linking the sample moisture content to the effective moisture diffusivity. The average activation energy ranged between 4699.41 and 7502.37 kJ/kg. It raised proportionally with the air flow velocity, and the same patterns were observed for effective moisture diffusivity regarding drying time and velocity. High levels of temperature (80 °C) and velocity (300 m3/h) lead to shorten drying time (200 min) and improve the slices physical quality. Among the nine tested models, Modified Handerson and Pabis exhibited the highest correlation coefficient value with the lowest chi-square for both varieties, and then give the best prediction performance. Energetic investigation of the dryer prototype showed that the total use of energy alongside with the specific energy utilization (13.12 and 44.55 MWh/kg) were inversely proportional to the velocity and drying temperature. Likewise, the energy efficiency was greater (3.98%) in drying conditions.

Vibrational spectroscopy analysis of full-ripened fig fruits (Ficus carica L.) was acquired using Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy by attenuated total reflectance (ATR). The objective of this study was to investigate accurate discrimination of 25 fig cultivars using chemometric analysis of both ATR–FTIR fingerprinting and in-vitro antioxidant activity along with chromatic coordinates color. In-vitro antioxidant activity was assessed through three methods and displayed statistically significant differences across cultivars and between the fruit parts, with promising antioxidant potency. Infrared spectra were measured separately on both peels and pulp to better know which fruit part provides high discrimination throughput between cultivars. The results showed vibration intensities of five fingerprint regions displaying statically significant differences. The highest vibration intensity occurred in the region of 1175–940 cm−1 including the phenols fingerprint. Principal components analysis based on integrated intensities corresponding to fingerprint regions, revealed two main groups in pulp samples, while five groups in peels samples. The pulp extracts of ‘Nabout’ showed a typical vibration in 3000–2800 cm−1 and 1775–1725 cm−1 regions and, therefore was classified as single subset in cultivars scatterplot. This cultivar had a light-colored fig and exhibited the highest antioxidant potency for all essays particularly in peel extracts. The biochemical assessment and FTIR fingerprinting data were involved in PCA analysis, and that displayed some dissimilarities in the classification patterns, given the fact that antioxidant activities and chromaticity together could not totally explain the classification based on FTIR fingerprinting between peel and pulp. Application of FTIR–ATR spectroscopy to discriminate fig cultivars seems to be a rapid, accurate and cost-effective alternative to laborious measurement techniques, in fig quality screening and preselection, such as chromatography analysis. This study suggests the use of fig peels for a high-level discrimination while using ATR–FTIR spectroscopy, since it provides high-throughput screening framework.

The objective of this study was to identify, quantify, and elucidate the polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, and their antioxidant activities (via 13 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH) radical and 2,2ʹ-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging abilities and bleaching β-carotene tested in vitro in the whole fruit, fruit skin of strawberry tree fruits of 5 genotypes and to find out the most valuable fruit for disease preventing diets. Total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching assay), pH, titrable acidity, soluble solids, and organic acids were investigated in five strawberry tree genotypes belonging to several areas in Morocco. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were also carried out. Significant differences (p˂0.05) were observed across the five genotypes in total phenols (25.37–39.06 mg GAE/g DW), total flavonoids (3.30–7.07 mg RE/g DW), total anthocyanins (0.15–0.64 mg cya-3-glu/100 g DW), pH (2.44–3.92), titrable acidity (0.65–1.01 g malic acid/100 g fw), and soluble solids (14.83–18.53%). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three assays. The values were 3.33–21.08, 2.25–19.58, and 1.08–13 mg AAE/g DW for DPPH scavenging test, ABTS, and β-carotene bleaching, respectively. Gallocatechol and catechin were the most abundant phenolic compounds. Principal component analysis showed that the first three components formed 90.25% of the total inertia. Chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid derivative I, ellagic acid, rutin, and cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside were the most involved variables in the total variance explained.

In Morocco, walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) cultivation is ancestral with complicated misidentification and unknown local genetic diversity. Atlas Mountains host a rich walnut tree germplasm, which ...

In the present study, morphological traits, organic acids, sugars, total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, total anthocyanidins, antioxidant activity and color parameters such as light...

This study aimed to screen 135 cultivars of fig (Ficus carica L.) to identify the most suitable cultivars in terms of morpho-agronomic and biochemical characters. The free radical scavenging activi...

First convectional thin layer drying of two fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties growing in Moroccan, using partially indirect convective dryer, was performed. The experimental design combined three air temperatures levels (60, 70 and 80 °C) and two air-flow rates (150 and 300 m

In the context of climate change and water scarcity, there is a need to develop and use drought-tolerant sesame cultivars. This study was conducted to evaluate the response of 13 sesame genotypes, including 11 mutants and their wild-types, to drought during germination and early seedling growth. Moderate and severe drought stress was simulated by applying polyethylene glycol (PEG) at two osmotic potentials, −0.6 MPa and −1.2 MPa, respectively, on seeds of two successive mutant generations, M2 and M3. The parameters measured or calculated were germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), mean germination time (MGT), root length (RL), shoot length (SL), root to shoot ratio (RSR), and the seedling vigor index (SVI). Results showed the significant effect of genotype, drought, and drought × genotype interaction on all parameters investigated. Under severe drought, seeds of seven genotypes, including wild types, were not able to germinate. There was a drastic decline of all parameters for the rest, except MGT and RSR, which markedly increased. Interestingly, two mutants, “ML2-5” and “ML2-10”, were identified as the most tolerant to severe drought and the most stable over both generations. The present work is the first report of sesame germplasm with such a high level of tolerance to drought during germination and early seedling growth stages.

There are not many exhaustive works emphasizing the amount of genetic diversity based on multivariate analysis of a large sample of fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivars in Morocco. In this study, 96 local and 44 introduced fig cultivars were assessed using 41 descriptors. The studied genotypes exhibited a highly significant variability based on morphological, colorimetric and physicochemical traits. Most of characters showed a high coefficient of variations (> 30%) revealing a high level of phenotypic diversity among the genotypes. Principal component analysis showed that the first 10 components explained 60.26% of the total inertia. Fruit weight, caliber, stalk, neck size, fruit shape, and skin color coordinates contributed to most of the total variation. Matrix of correlations showed significant positive and negative correlations among variables particularly fruit sizes, shape and skin color. Cluster analysis using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages procedure for studied accessions revealed two major clusters and five subclusters. Principal component analysis scatter plot expressed a low level of variance compared to the cluster. It confirmed the same classification of the fig accessions, where fruit dimensions and skin color coordinates were the most discriminant descriptors. The results highlight a high phenotypic diversity within studied fig germplasm, which is probably more genetically related. The accessions panel can be recognized as an important gene pool for future breeding programs. The present study is of importance for planning fig genetic resources inventory, preserving the existing genetic variability and establishing national collections.

There is a need for sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) breeding in Morocco to release performant and adapted varieties, which requires a large genetic variability in the germplasm to be used. In this context, genetic diversity of sesame populations from different locations in Tadla area was investigated using ISSR (Inter Sequence Simple Repeats) markers as a simple method to reveal polymorphism among them. A total of 130 individuals representing 31 populations were sampled. Twenty-four ISSR primers were used for analysis of individuals representing the 31 different sesame populations grown in different agroclimatic zones of Tadla, accounting for 90% of sesame cultivation area in Morocco. Indeed, seven primers showed legible and reproducible genomic profiles with an interesting number of bands. A total of 57 bands were obtained with ISSR primers, of which 47 were polymorphic. PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) ranged from 0.002 to 0.350, showing that ISSR markers are informative and relevant for discriminating the populations evaluated. The similarity coefficient of ISSR data ranged from 0.509 to 1, with an average of 0.870. The results obtained showed that Moroccan sesame populations are characterized by a low genetic diversity, suggesting a genetic proximity among them. Therefore, new germplasm should be either introduced from diverse geographical origins or created through mutagenesis breeding in order to broaden the existing genetic variability.

Wild edible fruits have been used centuries by local people mainly for nutrition purposes and they have attracted the attention of researchers in the last decade throughout the world. Among wild edible fruits, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is widely distributed mainly in Mediterranean countries. However, the lack of information about strawberry tree genetic resources in Mediterranean countries is a major cause of its low exploitation by breeders. For a practical use and exploitation of the strawberry tree native germplasm, phenological, morphological, and biochemical characterization of the plant is essential. In this study, some important phenological, morphological, and biochemical characteristics of sixteen local strawberry tree genotypes were determined. Significant variations (p &lt, 0.05) were observed in most of the investigated phenological, morphological, and biochemical traits of the genotypes. The genotypes were harvested between 2&ndash, 21 November. The fruit weight and the number of fruits per cluster of the genotypes varied from 3.89 to 6.86 g and 3.61 to 7.94, respectively. Vitamin C and total dietary fiber contents of genotypes were found quite variable, ranging from 58 to 93 mg/100 g and 7.04 to 12.36 g/100 g, respectively. The fruits of the strawberry tree include mainly fructose and glucose rather than sucrose. Local strawberry tree genotypes are found to be promising for further valorization through horticultural characteristics for breeding. Some genotypes had significantly higher fruit weight, vitamin C concentrations, total dietary fiber, and total phenolic concentration and may be good selections for producing health products.

There are not many exhaustive works emphasizing the amount of genetic diversity among the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) genotypes in Morocco. This work aims to assess the biochemical composition of strawberry tree fruits, as well as to establish the variation of this composition among them. In this study, total phenols, total flavonoids, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, total anthocyanins and free radical scavenging activity through ABTS were investigated in strawberry tree fruits. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were carried out. Color parameters such as lightness (L*), Chroma (c*) and hue angle (h°) were also investigated. All studied variables showed highly significant differences among all samples with the exception of hydrolyzable tannins and chromatic coordinates. Total phenolics varied from 22.63 ± 1.74 to 39.06 ± 2.44 mg GAE/g dry wt, total flavonoids varied from 3.30 ± 0.60 to 8.62 ± 1.10 mg RE/g dry wt and total anthocyanins ranged between 0.12 ± 0.06 and 0.66 ± 0.15 mg cya-3-glu/100g dry wt. In addition, condensed and hydrolyzable tannins amounts were in the range of 10.41 ± 1.07 - 16.08 ± 1.50 mg TAE/g dry wt and 4.08 ± 2.43 - 6.34 ± 3.47 respectively. Moreover, the IC50 value (ABTS) ranged between 1.75 and 19.58 mg AAE/g dry wt. 17 phenolic compounds were detected in strawberry tree fruits. Gallocatechol and catechin were the most abundant phenolic compound. Matrix of correlations revealed significant positive and negative correlations among variables particularly c*, a* and b*. Principal component analysis showed that the first three components formed than 68% of the total inertia. The following variables gallic acid, protocatechuic, gallocatechin, gallic acid derivative, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid derivative II, L* and h* were the most involved in the total variance explained. Hierarchical clustering classified samples into one main cluster, with a single branch. The results highlight a high biochemical diversity within studied strawberry genotypes, which is probably more genetically related

With the progresses of oilseed industry, an important interest is currently being focused on exploiting novel and underutilized sources for vegetable oils. Being so far the less studied part in fig fruits, seeds separated from four fig cultivars were assessed for their oil content, fatty acids identification, total phenolics and invitro antioxidant analysis. A one-way Anova yielded statistically significant differences for all parameters, with the exception of pentadecylic, margaric and arachidic acids besides the total saturated fatty acids. Fig seeds presented a yellow colored oil, of which the content ranged from 21.54 ± 1.71 to 28.52 ± 0.62%. Gas liquid chromatography analysis of the seed oil showed high percentages of linolenic acid in the four cultivars ranging from 38.43 ± 0.01 to 43.57 ± 0.04, followed by linoleic acid (28.9 ± 0.06–34.5 ± 0.04%). Palmitic acid and stearic acid were the dominating saturated fatty acids in all samples, where the amounts were in the range from 8.54 ± 0.04 to 9.05 ± 0.06% and from 2.59 ± 0.13 to 3.3% respectively. The efficiency of the desaturation from oleic acid to linoleic acid estimated within desaturation pathway, was higher among all cultivars than the efficiency of the desaturation from linoleic acid to linolenic acid. This explains the large increase of 18:3 concentration in all samples. The local cultivar ‘C11A21’ exhibited the highest total unsaturated fatty acids and the lowest level of saturated fatty acids, while the cultivar ‘White Adriatic’ combined the most relevant phenolics content, antioxidant activity and half maximum inhibitory concentration. All sampled oil possessed an important phenolics content that displayed variable levels of antioxidant activity. The objective of this study is to bring new data on the biochemical attributes of fig seeds as a new source oil that can be used for nutritional, pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of two distinct cladode genotypes under three sampling dates (spring, summer, and winter). The juice extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica (spineless) and Opuntia megacantha (spiny) genotypes was analyzed for their phenolics content and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The composition of major phenolics substances of cladode juice harvested in March was determined by HPLC analysis. The average of the total phenolics content ranged from 455.65 to 542.70 μg GAE mL−1. The antioxidant activity varied from 1.78 to 4.10 μmol TE mL−1 by DPPH assay, 12.78–23.10 μmol TE mL−1 by ABTS assay and 1.74–3.33 μmol TE mL−1 by FRAP assay. Higher values of antioxidant activity and polyphenols content were registered in summer. O. ficus-indica recorded significantly higher values for the parameters compared to O. megacantha. Keywords: Prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia megacantha, Cladode juice, Antioxidant activity, Polyphenols

Fig (Ficus carica L.) seeds are the less studied part of the species so far. They are usually discarded after their processing and scarcely studied for nutraceutical purposes. For this reason, the present work reports the lipochemical properties of fig seeds extracted from four fig cultivars conducted in an ex-situ collection. Oil was chemically extracted and screened using gas chromatography and FTIR-ATR coupled with chemometrics. Results, showed an important oil yield reaching up to 30 %, with a high UV absorbency values at 232 and 270 nm, suggesting the occurrence of hydrolytic reactions during the oil extraction. Iodine and saponification values were also high and displayed narrow ranges of variations (76.43 ± 0.067 g/100 g of oil and 201.6 ± 0.012, respectively). Chromatographic profile showed a high unsaturation rate up to 88 %, with a predominance of linolenic fatty acid, which ranged between 38.43 and 43.57 %. In order to avoid pollination effect, desaturation pathway ratios were calculated along with the balance between omega-6 and omega-3. These ratios showed statistically significant differences among samples and were in the range recommended for healthier diet. FTIR-ATR fingerprinting showed several spectral bands assigned to functional groups present in fig seed oil. Among them, two major peaks were identified around the fingerprint regions of 1650–1474 cm−1 and 3010–2924 cm−1 assigned to aliphatic groups and carbonyl groups belonging to the triacylglycerols, respectively. Data of both chromatographic profile and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy were involved in principal component analysis models, that showed high throughput resolution of discrimination and classification of samples studied. The findings herein reported, suggest the potential of fig seeds oil application in food and nutraceuticals. Besides, the use FTIR-ATR spectroscopy in fruit seeds screening and discrimination could be a better alternative to traditional analysis techniques.

There are not many exhaustive works emphasizing the amount of genetic diversity among the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) genotypes in Morocco. This work aims to assess the biochemical composition of strawberry tree fruits, as well as to establish the variation of this composition among them. In this study, total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT) and hydrolyzable tannins (HT), total anthocyanins (TA), and free radical scavenging activity through ABTS were investigated in strawberry tree fruits. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were carried out. Color parameters such as lightness (L*), Chroma (c*), and hue angle (h&deg, ) were also investigated. All studied variables showed highly significant differences among all samples with the exception of hydrolyzable tannins and chromatic coordinates. TP varied from 22.63 &plusmn, 1.74 to 39.06 &plusmn, 2.44 mg GAE/g DW, TF varied from 3.30 &plusmn, 0.60 to 8.62 &plusmn, 1.10 mg RE/g DW, and TA ranged between 0.12 &plusmn, 0.06 and 0.66 &plusmn, 0.15 mg cya-3-glu/100 g DW. In addition, CT and HT amounts were in the range of 10.41 &plusmn, 1.07&ndash, 16.08 &plusmn, 1.50 mg TAE/g DW and 4.08 &plusmn, 2.43&ndash, 6.34 &plusmn, 3.47 TAE/g DW, respectively. Moreover, the IC50 value (ABTS) ranged between 1.75 and 19.58 mg AAE/g DW. 17 phenolic compounds were detected in strawberry tree fruits. Gallocatechol and catechin were the most abundant phenolic compounds. Matrix of correlations revealed significant positive and negative correlations among variables particularly c*, a*, and b*. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first three components formed than 68% of the total inertia. The following variables gallic acid, protocatechuic, gallocatechin, gallic acid derivative, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid derivative II, L*, and h* were the most involved in the total variance explained. Hierarchical clustering classified samples into one main cluster, with a single branch. The results highlight a high biochemical diversity within studied strawberry genotypes, which is probably more genetically related.

Currently, there is much interest in using the active compounds that exist in plants as natural treatments. The pharmaceutical industry is also looking for novel chemical compounds from natural sources that do not have side effects. The purpose of this study was to identify the antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition activities of different extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and water) of Micromeria myrtifolia from Turkey. The phenolic constituents in the extracts were also identified using liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The methanol and water extracts were rich in rosmarinic, syringic, chlorogenic, caffeic, and protocatechuic acids, while rosmarinic acid and apigenin were the main compounds in the ethyl acetate extract. Hence, the water extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenol and flavonoid contents, followed by those of the methanol extract. However, inhibition of α-amylase and tyrosinase was the most efficient in the methanol extract. The results of this study demonstrate that M. myrtifolia has significant potential as an antioxidant and inhibitor of tyrosinase and α-amylase. Consequently, it could be considered a valuable resource for the food and cosmetics industries.

International audience; This study investigated the antioxidant capacity by the scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS). The total polyphenols (TP), total flavonoid (TF), total anthocyanins content (TAC), the qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were also evaluated in pomegranate juices (PJ). Phenolic compounds identified in analyzed cultivars were gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, ellagic acids, catechin, epicatechin, phloridzin, quercetin and rutin. PJ showed significantly high TP and antioxidant capacities, but some differences existed among these cultivars. The correlation values (R2 = 0.9) between the flavonoids content and antioxidant capacity of the PJ, show that the flavonoids are among the microconstituents contributing to the antioxidant activity of pomegranate. The TP of the 18 cultivars varied from 1385 to 9476 mg GAE/L of juice. The highest TP levels were detected in the local cultuvars L1 and L3, and the lowest in the L5.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Abderrahman Mekaoui was not listed among the authors. The corrected author list is given above. The original article has been corrected.