Assessment of fatty acids profile, oil yield and tocopherol content of four Almond cultivars grown in Eastern Morocco

The most cultivated varieties of almond in eastern Morocco: (Beldi (B), a local ecotype, Marcona (M) from Spain, Ferragnes-Ferraduel (F-F) and Fournat de Breznaud (FNB) from France), were studied during three consecutive crop years in order to evaluate variations in kernel oil yield, Fatty acid (FA) profile and physicochemical properties. For this purpose, extraction of almond oils was carried out by mechanical press. The yield of varieties B, M, (F-F) and FNB ranged between 50.68%- 54.33%, 41.46%- 52.59%, 47.70%-52.39% and 51.66%-56.10%, respectively. Oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids are the major fatty acids (FA) ranging between 57.54%- 72.90%, 17.80%- 29.81% and 6.50%-8.48%, respectively. Results showed a noticeable effect (P<0.001) of variety on Total phenolic content (TPC), oxidative stability and α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherol isomers; however, acidity and peroxide index, were affected with a lower manner by "variety" factor. In addition, all the analyzed parameters were highly (P<0.001) affected by climatic conditions of the crop year. In addition, the highest variations for the analyzed almond oils were recorded for their contents on α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, oleic and linoleic acids. According to the observed results, the couple Ferragnes-Ferraduel seems to produce stable and high quality almond oil compared to the other varieties

CARACTERISATION BIOCHIMIQUE DES AMANDES DE QUELQUES VARIETES D’AMANDIER EN CULTURE DANS LA REGION ORIENTALE DU MAROC

Le Plan Maroc Vert (PMV) accorde une grande importance à l’agriculture solidaire en faveur des zones agro écologiques fragiles. Dans ce cadre on assiste dans la région orientale du Maroc à l’extension des plantations d’amandier, au dépend des cultures annuelles, jugées non rentable et étroitement lié à la pluviométrie. Ainsi le projet*PROFAO porte sur la plantation de 6000 ha de nouveaux vergers d’amandier, avec principalement les variétés Ferragnes et Ferraduel (F/F) en raison de leur floraison tardive en Mars, qui leur permet d’échapper aux effets néfastes des gelées de Janvier et Février. Dans un but de la diversité des cultures et de la sauvegarde de la biodiversité et également dans un but de valorisation en post récolte des amandes et produits dérivés. Cette étude porte sur la caractérisation de variété(s) locale(s), nommée «Amandier Beldi (Be)» à floraison précoce et qui semble être une variété population. La comparaison aux variétés F/F, porte sur des caractères botaniques et la période de floraison et surtout sur la composition chimique des amandes comme produits final de la récolte. A ce propos «Be» fleurissent dès le début février alors que pour F/F la floraison est pour Mars. Les analyses des huiles et tourteaux d’amandes des récoltes antécédentes, montent un rendement moyen en huile, de l’ordre de 50% pour «Be» et de 57% pour «F/F» avec des profils d’acide gras comparables. L’analyse des tourteaux ne montre pas de différences significatives ainsi on observe, pour« Be » des teneurs en protéines de 47% et en sucres de 14,2% et pour l’association F/F ces teneurs sont respectivement de 45% et 13

The effects of the temperature on the mechanical properties of natural yarns

The jute fiber is one of the strongest lignocellulosic fibers with different applications such as fabrics, ropes as well as engineered composites for automobile parts. In this study, the jute yarns were exposed to different temperatures of the thermal cycles (22°C, 40°C, 80°C, 105°C and 150°C). The mechanical tests were conducted using the 3R Syntax machine and the experimental results depended on different temperatures of thermal cycles were recorded. The mechanical properties of jute yarns decrease with the increase of temperature of the thermal cycles

Phytosterols composition of virgin olive oils from cultivars introduced in eastern Morocco in comparison to Picholine Marocaine

The aim of this study is to characterize monovarietal virgin olive oils (VOOs) of three European cultivars (Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki), grown under high-density plantation system in eastern Morocco, by comparison of their phytosterols profiles. First, physicochemical properties of these monovarietal VOOs as well as their contents of pigments and phenols were analyzed. Then, VOOs phytosterols profiles were determined by GC-FID, and show that b-sitosterol is the most abundant sterol which represent 75 to 79 % of total phytosterols in analyzed olive oils. On the basis of these results, a comparison between these monovarietal VOOs and olive oil of Picholine marocaine (autochthonous olive tree) has been carried out, and shows that majority of analytical parameters presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The examined olive varieties produce excellent oils with a chemical composition within the regulatory limits and an appreciable amount of phytosterols. In addition, results showed that, total phytosterols content of olive oil from Picholine marocaine is significantly higher (2348.78 mg kg-1) than values observed for VOOs of European cultivars, which range from 1595 to 1971mg kg-1 but, Koroneiki’s VOO has the highest phenols content (493.66 mg kg-1) and the highest pigments content (3.94 and 2.17 mg kg-1 respectively for chlorophylls for carotenoids). Lastly, according to VOOs' content of minor components (phenols, pigments and phytosterols), the hierarchical cluster analysis shows a good discrimination between olive tree varieties

Preliminary Characterization of monovarietal virgin olive oils produced in eastern area of Morocco

peer reviewedTraditional olive oil production is limited by its high cost, mainly due to labour expenses for harvesting and pruning. New olive cultivars (e.g. Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki) with greater adaptability to modern irrigated high-density orchards and producing good quality olive oils are highly demanded by an olive oil industry in continuous change The aim of this study is the characterization of monovarietal virgin olive oils from three cultivars (Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki) recently introduced in east of Morocco, and the comparison with traditional local Picholine Marocaine olive oil. Several analytical parameters were evaluated; including quality index, Triacylglycerol, fatty acids, phenolic and chlorophyll contents and oxidative stability. Significant differences between the analysed olive oils were detected. Olive oils from Koroneiki and Arbosana cultivars had higher values of oleic acid (respectively 76.24 and 75.68 %); Picholine olive oil, had the lowest one 67.49%. Koroneiki olive oil was noteworthy for its higher content of phenolic compounds (459.48 mg/ kg) and a high oxidative stability (93.16 h). We concluded that the recently introduced cultivars are well adapted to the eastern area of Morocco and could be of great interest for producing monovarietal olive oils

Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of jute yarns

International audienceIn the last two decades, an increasing interest has been observed for the use of natural fibers such as jute fibers in different applications. These fibers are characterized by their low cost and their availability. They are mainly used in fabric bag manufacturing. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of jute yarns. An experimental study was conducted at different temperatures (22 °C; 80 °C; 105 °C and 150 °C) for 24 h. Each degree was followed by tensile testing of the specimen. Besides, the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate the effect of the temperature on the thermal stability and the thermal degradation of the jute fibers. In addition, the statistical analysis was performed using the method of two and three-parameter Weibull distribution to determine the spatial distribution of the properties. The results showed that there was a degradation of the mechanical properties of the jute yarns heated to high temperature compared to the raw yarns (considered as a specimen exposed to 22 °C). The tensile strain and the Young modulus failed by 36% and 13% respectively for the specimens heated at 150 °C and the failure kinematic of the jute fiber was affected by the temperature of heating. The TGA showed that the thermal stability of the jute yarns was affected by two factors: fibers drying and their changing temperatures

Comparative study of four safflower oils (Carthamus tinctorius) varieties grown in eastern of Morocco

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an oilseed crop, which, for many years, has been grown on a relatively small scale in parts of North Africa and Middle East (Purdy and al., 1959)