Assessment of the Glutenin Subunits Diversity in a Durum Wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum) Collection from Morocco

Landraces and old wheat cultivars display great genetic variation and constitute a valuable resource for the improvement of modern varieties, especially in terms of quality. Gluten quality is one of the major determinants of wheat quality, and it is greatly influenced by variation in the high molecular weight and low molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS and LMW-GS). Identification of novel allelic variants for either of the two groups of the gluten-forming proteins could greatly assist in the improvement of wheat gluten quality. In the present study, the allelic composition of the HMW- and LMW-GS of ninety-five durum wheat accessions was evaluated. These accessions included Moroccan cultivars and landraces and North American cultivars and were all conserved in the National Gene Bank from Morocco. In total, 20 cataloged alleles and 12 novel alleles were detected. For the HMW-GS, two alleles were found at the Glu-A1 locus, and seven different allelic variants were identified at the Glu-B1 locus. Among them, two alleles were new (alleles Glu-B1cp and co). Additionally, two of the analyzed accessions exhibited the Glu-D1d allele, suggesting the presence of the Glu-D1 locus introgression. For the LWM-GS, eight, ten and two alleles were identified at the Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and Glu-B2 loci, respectively. Among them, two new allelic variants were identified at the Glu-A3 locus, and seven new allelic variants were identified at the Glu-B3 locus. Overall, the Moroccan landraces exhibited a greater genetic diversity and a greater number of glutenin alleles compared to the Moroccan and North American durum wheat cultivars. The novel germplasm and glutenin alleles detected in this study could contribute to the improvement of durum wheat quality and the expansion of modern durum wheat genetic diversity

Phenolic compounds and color of labeled resin spurge honey and their correlations with pollen content

Our aim in this study was to outline phenolic and color characteristic that characterize the labeled unifloral resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) honey. With respect to phenolic composition, 17 phenolic compounds have been analyzed in the 29 honey samples. The proposed markers (syringic acid, ethyl gallate, m-coumaric acid and naringenin) might help to the enhancement of this honey type and thus, guarantee its commercial value. The color characterization by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry revealed typical values of light amber honey (lightness ranged from 36 to 70 units, and chroma from 18 to 30 units). On the other hand, many correlations between the color attributes and phenolic acids, total phenolic compounds, caffeic acid, p- and m-coumaric acids and hesperidin have been demonstrated, also, correlation between phenols, color parameters and percentage of pollen of E. resinifera has been found. This study is one of the rare researches which have correlated the CIELAB color parameters with the individual phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds within the same unifloral honey

Comparative evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial potential of Euphorbia-derived functional products

This study assessed the medicinal properties of Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg (E. resinifera) and Euphorbia officinarum subsp echinus (Hook.f. and Coss.) Vindt (Euphorbia echinus, known for their pharmaceutical benefits. Extracts from their flowers, stems, propolis, and honey were examined for phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total condensed tannin (TCC) were determined using specific methods. Antioxidant potential was assessed through various tests including DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and Total antioxidant capacity. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using phenol-induced ear edema in rats, while antibacterial activity was measured against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 10536) bacteria. Among the extracts, the aqueous propolis extract of E. resinifera demonstrated exceptional antioxidant capabilities, with low IC50 values for DPPH (0.07 ± 0.00 mg/mL) and ABTS (0.13 ± 0.00 mg/mL), as well as high TAC (176.72 ± 0.18 mg AA/mg extract) and FRAP (86.45 ± 1.45 mg AA/mg extract) values. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of E. resinifera propolis extracts surpassed that of indomethacin, yielding edema percentages of 3.92% and 11.33% for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively. Microbiological results indicated that the aqueous extract of E. resinifera flower exhibited the most potent inhibitory action against S. aureus, with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 21.0 ± 0.00 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.125 mg/mL. Additionally, only E. resinifera honey displayed the ability to inhibit E. coli growth, with an inhibition zone diameter of 09.30 ± 0.03 mm and a MIC of 0.0433 mg/mL

La fluorose endémique chez les ruminants et son impact socio-économique au Maroc

Au Maroc, l'élevage des ruminants est un secteur à une grande valeur socio-économique. Il contribue à la production nationale de viande rouge, fournit également des emplois à une importante population rurale et constitue la principale source de revenus pour la plupart des éleveurs. Pourtant, dans les zones phosphatées, cette filière est confrontée un défi environnemental due à un excès de fluor. L'ingestion et/ou l'inhalation chronique de cet élément par les ruminants exerce divers effets toxiques influençant les performances de l'animal et entraînant ainsi des conséquences socio-économiques importantes. Les données des études précédentes concernant la répartition géographique de la fluorose au Maroc, le métabolisme du fluor chez les ruminants ainsi que ses effets nocifs à savoir la fluorose dentaire, squelettique et non squelettique chez les ruminants (ovins, caprins, bovins) ont été clairement résumées dans cette revue. De plus, l'impact socio-économique, et les progrès actualisés en termes de prévention ou de réduction de la fluorose sont passés en revue. Cette revue mit également en évidence la nécessité de réaliser des investigations complémentaires sur la fluorose endémique chez les ruminants

Les effets amélioratifs des extraits de plantes sur la préservation du sperme de béliers et sa capacité de fertilisation

La conservation à l’état liquide ainsi que la cryoconservation de la semence de bélier sont des étapes clés dans la réussite de l'insémination artificielle. Cependant, la manipulation de la semence entraîne généralement une diminution progressive de sa qualité et de sa capacité de fécondation. Dans les deux méthodes de conservation, les chocs thermique et osmotique ainsi que le choix inapproprié du dilueur pourraient conduire aux dommages oxydatifs induits par les espèces réactives de l'oxygène sur les spermatozoïdes. Par conséquent, des études antérieures se sont concentrées sur la supplémentation de dilueurs par des antioxydants exogènes afin de réduire le stress oxydatif produit lors de la conservation du sperme de bélier. Récemment, des biomolécules provenant de produits naturels ont été additionnés au dilueurs. Cet article vise à présenter en détail les facteurs influençant la qualité de la semence de bélier lors de la conservation en sperme frais ou congelé. En outre, les résultats des études portant sur l'utilisation des extraits ou des biomolécules naturelles à différentes doses sont discutés. Précisément, une mise à jour concernant leurs effets sur la qualité du sperme et sa capacité de fécondation in vivo ou in vitro est fournie dans cette revue

Trace éléments and heavy metals in organs of camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Casablanca city, Morocco

International audienceThe present work was carried out to determine the concentrations of trace elements (copper and zinc) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead) in the different organs of camels slaughtered in municipal slaughterhouse of Casablanca, which is the main source of consumption of camel meat in the study area. The samples of meat, liver, lungs, heart and kidneys of 30 camels were collected. All the samples were digested, mineralised and analysed for copper, zinc, cadmium and lead using an Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals ranged from 1.10 to 14.22 ppm for copper, 4.05 to 10.88 ppm for zinc, 0.023 to 0.69 ppm for cadmium and 0.71 to 1.33 ppm for lead. Few data are available in literature on copper and zinc concentrations in different organs of camel. Copper concentrations observed in meat and liver were comparable to values recorded in different countries. The concentrations found in lung, heart and kidney, were slightly lower than concentrations reported in literature. The highest concentration of copper was observed in liver. For zinc, lower concentrations have been observed in different organs of camel compared to those reported earlier in literature, the highest concentrations being recorded in meat and liver. Regarding cadmium and lead concentrations in different organs of camel, it is difficult to link our results to polluting context, because no data on these elements in camel organs were available. However, the concentrations of cadmium in kidney and liver were higher than that observed in other organs. For lead, the highest concentration was observed in liver

Distribution of alleles related to grain weight and quality in Moroccan and North American wheat landraces and cultivars

Combining improved grain yield and end-product quality in durum wheat has become an essential priority for Moroccan breeding programs due to their significant effect on the country's agricultural economy and social system. Landraces and cultivars of distinct germplasm pools constitute an untapped source of genetic variation for durum wheat improvement. To this end, a mixture of genotypes consisting of 35 landraces (LAN), 20 North American cultivars (NAC) and 10 Moroccan cultivars (MC), was evaluated using grain weight and grain size parameters, quality characteristics, and 21 functional molecular markers. Significant genetic variability was revealed between the genotypes. According to observed means across traits, MC showed the best grain characteristics, followed by NAC, and LAN. However, NAC showed overall better physiochemical characteristics. Genetic diversity applying quality trait-based markers increased from LAN to advanced cultivars. Favorable alleles Lpx-B1.1b (Lpx-B1.1), Hap-4A-T (TaCwi-4A), TaGS5-A1b (TaGS5-A1) were predominant in NAC. Unfavorable alleles, namely Psy1-B1a (Psy1-B1), Psy-B1a or b (Psy-B1), Lox-B1a (Lox-B1), Hap- 4A-C (TaCwi-4A), TaGS5-A1a (TaGS5-A1), TaTGW6-b (TGW6-4A), Hap-L (TaSus2), and TaTGW6-A1b (TGW6), were most frequent or even omniprevalent in all genotypes. This work can up open new avenues for the development of new varieties allying yield and grain quality by introducing suitable genotypes and favorable alleles into Moroccan national breeding programs

Determination of Punicalagins Content, Metal Chelating, and Antioxidant Properties of Edible Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) Peels and Seeds Grown in Morocco

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean countries especially in Morocco. Pomegranate peel and seed contain considerable amounts of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to phytochemically characterize the pomegranate peels and seeds obtained from three Moroccan provinces, using UHPLC-DAD. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and metal chelating of pomegranate peel were also evaluated. The results showed that pomegranate peel possesses the highest phenolic (TPC: 224.39 mg GAE/g dw) and flavonoid (TFC: 62.64 mg rutin/g dw) contents. Punicalagin-β and punicalagin-α, are the abundant compounds found in peel: 216.36±9.94 mg/g, 154.94±5.21 mg/g, respectively. Pomegranate peels showed significantly (p<0.05) high antioxidant activity 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) EC50: 42.71±0.04 μg/mL, 2.2′-Azino-bis(3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid) (ABTS) EC50: 62.15±0.01 μg/mL), and chelating activity (FRAP 1.85±0.00 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g, Fe2+: 2.52±0.01 μmol EDTA equivalents/g dw) compared to seeds. A positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic was found. According to achieved results, high antioxidant capacity of pomegranate extracts, especially peel, shed light to further use as natural food preservatives. Pomegranate peel could be used for the fortification of food with fiber by introducing it in dietary, as well as in health applications due to its higher antioxidant capacity

Effect of argan oil on liquid storage of ram semen in Tris or skim milk based extenders

International audienceDue to its high antioxidant content, the argan oil could play a beneficial role in liquid storage of ram semen. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different concentration of argan oil (ARO) on spermatologic parameters, lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during liquid storage of ram semen until 48 h. Also effects of extenders and temperature on same parameters were assessed. For these aims, semen samples were collected from Boujaad rams, extended with Tris egg yolk or skim milk extenders without (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of ARO (1%, 2%, 5% and 10% v/v) at a final concentration of 0.8 x 10(9) sperm/mL and stored until 48 h at 5 degrees C or 15 degrees C. The sperm quality assessments were performed at different intervals during storage (0, 8, 24 and 48 h). Sperm progressive motility started to decrease after 8 h of storage in all temperatures - extenders combinations and dropped steadily during the 8-48 h interval. However, sperm viability, progressive motility and membrane integrity were markedly higher in ARO groups (especially in 1% in Tris and 5% in skim milk) until 24 h and 48 h storage at both temperatures compared to controls. The argan oil also decreased the level of spontaneous and induced malondialdehyde (MDA) and the sperm DNA fragmentation until 48 h storage. In conclusion, it was determined that addition of argan oil to conventional extenders may improve the quality of ram semen during liquid storage in different temperatures

Effects of a Short-Term Lipopolysaccharides Challenge on Mouse Brain and Liver Peroxisomal Antioxidant and &beta;-oxidative Functions: Protective Action of Argan Oil

During sepsis, the imbalance between oxidative insult and body antioxidant response causes the dysfunction of organs, including the brain and liver. Exposing mice to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) results in a similar pathophysiological outcome. The protection offered by argan oil was studied against LPS-induced oxidative stress, dysregulation of peroxisomal antioxidants, and &beta;-oxidation activities in the brain and liver. In a short-term LPS treatment, lipid peroxidation (malonaldehyde assay) increased in the brain and liver with upregulations of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (Tnf)-&alpha; and anti-inflammatory interleukin (Il)-10 genes, especially in the liver. Although exposure to olive oil (OO), colza oil (CO), and argan oil (AO) prevented LPS-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain and liver, only AO exposure protected against liver inflammation. Remarkably, only exposure to AO prevented LPS-dependent glutathione (GSH) dysregulation in the brain and liver. Furthermore, exposure to AO increased more efficiently than OO and CO in both organs, peroxisomal antioxidant capacity via induction of catalase (Cat) gene, protein and activity expression levels, and superoxide dismutase (Sod1) mRNA and activity levels. Interestingly, LPS decreased protein levels of the peroxisomal fatty acid-ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCD1 and ABCD2, and increased acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) protein expression. Moreover, these LPS effects were attenuated for ABCD1 and ACOX1 in the brain of mice pretreated with AO. Our data collectively highlight the protective effects of AO against early oxidative stress caused by LPS in the brain and liver and their reliance on the preservation of peroxisomal functions, including antioxidant and &beta;-oxidation activities, making AO a promising candidate for the prevention and management of sepsis