Profitability analysis of onion production in Morocco

This study aims to analyze the profitability of onion production in Fes Meknes Region in Morocco and to visualize sensitivity of this production on an increase in production costs or a decrease in yield due to climate change. The data used were collected from 80 randomly selected producers. Different analysis methods were used in the analysis of data: budgetary analysis, cost-benefit analysis and correlation analysis. The budgetary analysis results show that onion production is profitable and the profitability is sensitive to a decrease in production or an increase in costs. By comparison, the analysis shows that the repercussions of the onion production shock are more detrimental than an increase in production costs. So, the farmers are supposed to adopt farming practices that boost the productivity and reduce his sensitivity. Correlation analysis reveals a positive and significant relationship between net agricultural income, the type of irrigation and the level of education of the farmers. These variables must be taken into account to improve the level of agricultural profitability

La rentabilité de la production d’oignons au Maroc face à un choc de production et une augmentation des coûts de production

Cette étude vise à analyser la rentabilité de la culture d’oignons dans la région Fès Meknès au Maroc et visualiser la sensibilité de cette culture face à une augmentation des coûts de production ou baisse de rendement du aux changements climatiques Les données utilisées ont été collectées auprès de 80 producteurs choisis de façon aléatoire. Différentes méthodes d’analyse, l’analyse budgétaire, la comparaison entre la valeur de production et les coûts de production, ainsi que l’analyse de corrélation, ont été utilisées pour l’analyse des données. Les résultats de l’analyse budgétaire montrent que la production d’oignons est rentable et que la rentabilité est sensible à une baisse de production ou une hausse de coût. Par comparaison, l’analyse montre que les répercussions d’un choc de production sont plus néfastes d’une augmentation des coûts de production. Afin d’accroître la rentabilité, les producteurs devraient adopter des pratiques agricoles qui favorisent la productivité. L’analyse corrélationnelle révèle une relation positive et significative entre le revenu net agricole et le type d’irrigation et le niveau d’instruction des exploitants. Ces variables sont des facteurs à prendre en compte pour améliorer le niveau de rentabilité

Profitability analysis of onion production in Morocco

This study aims to analyze the profitability of onion production in Fes Meknes Region in Morocco and to visualize sensitivity of this production on an increase in production costs or a decrease in yield due to climate change. The data used were collected from 80 randomly selected producers. Different analysis methods were used in the analysis of data: budgetary analysis, cost-benefit analysis and correlation analysis. The budgetary analysis results show that onion production is profitable and the profitability is sensitive to a decrease in production or an increase in costs. By comparison, the analysis shows that the repercussions of the onion production shock are more detrimental than an increase in production costs. So, the farmers are supposed to adopt farming practices that boost the productivity and reduce his sensitivity. Correlation analysis reveals a positive and significant relationship between net agricultural income, the type of irrigation and the level of education of the farmers. These variables must be taken into account to improve the level of agricultural profitability

Inhibition of Mild Steel Corrosion in 1M Hydrochloric Medium by the Methanolic Extract of Ammi visnaga L. Lam Seeds

The chemical composition of the methanolic extract of Ammi visnaga (Khella) seeds from the Sidi Slimane region is determined for the first time by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Ten compounds representing 99.638% of the total extract were identified. Khellin (49.011%), Visnagin (26.537%) and Dimethylethylamine (15.108%) are the major components. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of the Methanolic extract of the seeds of Ammi visnaga on the corrosion of mild steel in a solution of 1M HCl is determined using weight loss measurements, the potentiodynamic technique as well as the technique of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is found that the extract reduces the corrosion rate of the steel in the acid solution. Inhibition efficiency increases as the concentration of the extract increases. The tested compound has an inhibition efficiency of 84% for a concentration equal to 1.0 g/L. The polarization measurements indicate that the examined extract acts as a mixed inhibitor with predominant anodic efficacy. The data obtained from EIS studies are analyzed to model this process using appropriate equivalent circuit models. The adsorption of the extract on the surface of the mild steel obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm in acidic medium and the activation is determined and discussed

Comparison of the microbiological and hygienic quality of turkey meat between six districts of the Kenitra city

Meat is known to be one of the vehicles for many diseases to humans. The aim of this study is the comparison of the microbiological and hygienic quality of fresh turkey meat marketed in the most popular districts of Kenitra city. Fresh meat samples were taken from stores localized in six different districts. Microorganisms tests were conducted according to the appropriate standards. The Aerobic Mesophilic Flora (AFM) was most counted in district five (7.69±0.212 log10ufc/g), while the highest total and fecal coliform charges were obtained in district six with rates of 7.68±0.160 and 6.89±0.132 log10ufc/g, respectively. Cases of Salmonella spp were observed in all districts, except district five with frequencies up to 10.71%. Pseudomonas aeuroginosa charge was high in district five and its prevalence was high (21.42%) in districts two, four and six. Regarding Clostridium perfringens, the charges were up to 2.11±0.55 log10ufc/g in district six and a high prevalence of 42.85% was in district four. Escherichia coli showed dominance in all the districts studied with a high prevalence in district four with a rate of 75% and a high charge in district five (4.37 log10ufc/g). The presence of Staphylococcus aureus was significant in district four with a rate of 28.57% and a high concentration in district five (4.47 log10ufc/g). This study has shown great variability in the results found between the different districts and the rate of contaminations affecting this product. In fact, this microbiological and hygienic quality of raw turkey meat sold in these districts was judged marginal indicating the need for improved hygienic standards

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Total Polyphenols of Anchusa italica Retz

Anchusa italica Retz has been used for a long time in phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from the leaves and roots of Anchusa italica Retz. We first determined the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids using Folin–Ciocalteu reagents and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The antioxidant activity was determined using three methods: reducing power (FRAP), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four strains of Escherichia coli, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and one fungal strain of Candida albicans. The results showed that the root extract was rich in polyphenols (43.29 mg GAE/g extract), while the leave extract was rich in flavonoids (28.88 mg QE/g extract). The FRAP assay showed a strong iron reduction capacity for the root extract (IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.121 µg/mL). The DPPH test determined an IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL for the root extract and an IC50 of 0.14 µg/mL for the leaf extract. These values are low compared to those for ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.16 µg/mL) and BHT (IC50 0.20 µg/mL). The TAC values of the leaf and root extracts were 0.51 and 0.98 mg AAE/g extract, respectively. In vitro, the extract showed inhibitory activity against all strains studied, with diameters of zones of inhibition in the range of 11.00–16.00 mm for the root extract and 11.67–14.33 mm for the leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded for the leaf extract against E. coli (ATB:57), corresponding to 5 mg/mL. Overall, this research indicates that the extracts of Anchusa italica Retz roots and leaves exert significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, probably because of the high content of flavonoids and polyphenols