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Abstract: Oil extracted from seeds of Maclura pomifera fruits grown in Tunisia was investigated as an alternative feedstock for the production of biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel was prepared by transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of NaOH as catalyst. Maximum oil to ester conversion was 90%. The viscosity of the biodiesel oil (4.66 cSt) is similar to that of petroleum diesel (2.5–3.5 cSt). The density (0.889g/cm3), kinematic viscosity (4.66 cSt), flash point (180°C), iodine number (125°C), neutralization number (0.4), pour point (−9°C), cloud point (−5°C), cetane number (48) are very similar to the values set forth by the ASTM and EN biodiesel standards for petroleum diesel (No. 2). The comparison shows that the methyl esters of M. pomifera oil could be possible diesel fuel replacements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • We studied the impact of market failure and firms' strategic behaviors on pollution reduction. • Difference-in-difference-in-difference method captured the causal effect of the TDP. • We used a micro-matching sample combining the CIF and the CIFPE databases. • Firms follow strategic behaviors in an imperfect market environment. • Market failure and firms' strategic behaviors exhibit heterogeneous pollution reduction effect via the TDP policy. Cynara cardunculus L. is a perennial herb native of the Mediterranean basin, it is mainly used for food like vegetable and its seeds were rich in quality edible oil; Despite the use of this oil for the production of biodiesel in literature, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of cardoon oil are not studied until now. Extraction and characterization of seed oil from six wild cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris) populations and a cultivated native cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis) in Tunisia were carried out, the values of seed oil content were greater to the cultivated cardoon (27 %) when compared with the six wild populations (18–26 %). The main fatty acids components obtained were: palmitic (11–13 %), oleic (23–40 %) and linoleic (40–61 %); In addition, we have tested the antimicrobial activity of these oils against three bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli and Enterocccus feacalis. The results showed that wild and cultivated cardoon oils are active against the three tested bacteria and an important antibacterial activity of cultivated cardoon seed oil (Inhibition zones: 6 ± 0.57 and 16 ± 1.00) compared to the wild one (Inhibition zones: 6 ± 1.25 and 12 ± 1.00), the cardoon oil can be considered as a potential antimicrobial agent for the treatment of some microbial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation included the chemical analysis of Peganum harmala (P. harmala) seed oil and its antifungal properties against 10 fungal species. Seed oils of six populations were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HPLC analysis indicated that P. harmala seed oil exhibited a very high level of tocopherol contents, with values in the range of 2385.66–2722.68 mg/100 g. The most abundant tocopherol isomer was δ-tocopherol (90.39%), followed by γ-tocopherol (8.08%) and α-tocopherol (1.14%). We discovered for the first time the presence of tocotrenols in P. harmala seed oils of the six populations studied. The GC-MS analyses revealed that linoleic acid was the main fatty acid (65.17%), followed by oleic acid (23.12%), palmitic acid (5.36%) and stearic acid (3.08%). We also studied the antifungal activity of seed oil of the Medenine (MD) population on ten fungal pathogens. The antifungal effects differed among pathogens and depended on oil concentrations. Seed oil of the MD population caused a significant decrease in mycelial growth of all fungi tested, with values ranging 31.50–82.11%, except for Alternaria sp., which showed no inhibition. The antifungal activity against the 10 selected fungi can be explained by the richness in tocols of the extracted oil and make P. harmala a promising crop for biological control. Furthermore, the importance of fatty acids and the wide geographic spread in Tunisia of this species make this crop a potential source of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]