A New Approach for the Green Biosynthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles Ag2O, Characterization and Catalytic Application

In this paper, a facile and green approach for the synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles Ag2O NPs was performed using the extract of the wild plant Herniaria hirsuta (H. hirsuta). Different spectral methods were used for the characterization of the biosynthesized Ag2O NPs, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy gave a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of Ag2O NPs is 430 nm, estimation of direct and indirect forbidden gap bands are respectively 3.76 eV and 3.68 eV; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis revealed the groups responsible for the stability and synthesis of Ag2O NPs. The morphology of Ag2O NPs was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showing a nearly spherical shape of Ag2O NPs, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the crystallinity of Ag2O NPs with a crystallinity size of 15.51 nm. The catalytic activity of Ag2O NPs, as well as the rings number were studied by the degradation of methylene blue dye. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Etude De La Contamination Par Les Métaux Lourds Des Eaux Et Des Sédiments Au Voisinage De La Mine De Tighza (Maroc Central Oriental)

The analyses performed on four stations upstream and eight downstream of the Tighzamine (Jebel Aouam) were carried out to assess the contamination degree from tailings discharges. From the standpoint of water and soil qualities, concentrations of trace and major elements (TME), including Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn which concentrations (µgL-1 ) reach respectively 82, 49918, 669, 36858 in water samples and 443, 161, 23607, 19459 in sediments, exceed greatly, in the vicinity of the mine, the international standards. Depending on the TME analyzes, all downstream stations shows different degrees of contamination, whereas it is less or absent at the upstream stations. Downstream stations thus require water and soil treatment, since the contents TME are quite large and clearly present a danger not only in the surrounding environment for population, fauna and flora, but also over long distances especially as the waters of Tighza river flow into the oued Bouregreg and thus reach the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah Dam (Rabat) which is used as drinking water for urban consumption. It is therefore imperative to treat these waters, so that they become drinkable and avoid bad impacts to the population

ESSENTIAL OILS ANALYSIS AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE LEAVES OF ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS, SALVIA OFFICINALIS AND MENTHA PIPERITA CULTIVATED IN AGADIR (MOROCCO)

Objective: This study was designed to determine the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of hydro-distillated essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves of three aromatic and medicinal plants cultivated in Agadir (Morocco): Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha piperita and Salvia officinalis. Methods: EOs chemical composition was determined by GC and GC/MS. Disc diffusion method and agar dilution technique were used to evaluate their antibacterial activity against eight microbial strains. Moreover, a statistical study, consisting in a student test, was conducted.Results: The most important constituents identified were α-pinene (34.83%), a-thujone (24.05%) and Menthol (41, 23%) respectively in the Rosemary, the Sage and Mint. All tested EOs exhibited an antibacterial activity at different levels against the studied strains. Micrococcus luteus was the most sensitive to the tested EOs with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values of 5.8, 2.35 and 20 mg/ml for Rosemary, Sage and Mint EOs respectively. Thus, these EOs can be used as antibacterial supplement in the developing countries to develop new therapeutic agents.Conclusions: Additional in vivo studies and clinical trials would be needed to justify and further evaluate their potential.Â

ANTI-OBESITY EFFECT OF CANNABIS SATIVA SEED FLOUR FROM KHLALFA OF TAOUNATE REGION (NORTHERN OF MOROCCO) IN HIGH CALORIC DIET-INDUCED OBESE MICE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of Cannabis sativa seed Flour (CSSF) on obese mice. Methods: The experiment process was carried out in 8 weeks. In this time, three groups of animals were adopted: High caloric diet control group (HCD), group treated with 100 mg/kg of CSSF, group treated with 200 mg/kg of CSSF, and normal diet control group (ND). Then, the histopathological and biochemical parameters analysis has been realized at the end of the experiment. Results: As a result, body weight gain, epididymal, and perirenal adipose tissue decreased in the CSSF (Cannabis sativa seed Flour) group in both doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to the HCD. CSSF lowered serum glucose level elevated by HCD. For lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in the CSSF group. The histopathological results of this study showed a regenerative effect of CSSF on the kidney and liver tissues. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that CSSF can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent

ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED MOROCCAN ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST THE HIGHLY VIRULENT JP2 CLONE OF AGGREGATIBACTER ACTINOMYCETEMCOMITANS

Objective: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) serotype b JP2 clone is a highly virulent strain, considered as a major etiologic agent in aggressive periodontitis in patients of African descent, such as Moroccan adolescents. Antibiotics have been and continue to be the only effective treatment of periodontal infections caused by this periodontal bacterium. However, today there is enough scientific evidence on the existence of an increased resistance of oral bacteria to antibiotics. Therefore, the search for new natural agents, that are safe and effective, such "essential oils," has become a necessity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of three selected essential oils from Moroccan aromatic medicinal plants (Origanum compactum, Thymus vulgaris and Cymbopogon martinii) against clinical Moroccan isolate of Aa JP2 strain.Methods: Antibacterial activity of essential oils was investigated using agar well diffusion method, then measured using broth microdilution method.Results: All the selected essential oils exhibited significant antibacterial activity on the highly pathogenic JP2 strain of Aa. Essential oil of Origanum compactum was found to be the most effective with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.03% (v/v) and a minimum bactericidal concentration value (MBC) of 0.07%.Conclusion: The present findings indicate the possibility of exploiting these essential oils as potential antimicrobial agents in treatment of aggressive periodontitis associated to this pathogen

RADICAL SCAVENGING AND DISINFECTANT EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM MOROCCAN MENTHA PULEGIUM

Objective: As part of the valorization of medicinal and aromatic plants in Morocco, this study aims to investigate the chemical composition, the antimicrobial and the antioxidant activities of Mentha pulegium essential oil.Methods: Essential oil of M. pulegium from Oued Laou region (Morocco) was screened for its antimicrobial activity against seven bacteria and two fungi using broth microdilution method. The radical scavenging effect was used to assess in vitro antioxidant capacity of this oil.Results: The tested essential oil exhibited strong inhibitory effect against all tested microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.003% to 1% (v/v) except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the studied essential oil exhibited radical scavenging power with the half maximal inhibitory concentration of 2 mg/ml.Conclusion: These findings showed that the studied essential oil has both an antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, which is very rare. Thus, it reinforces its use as an effective, eco-friendly preservative agent in food and cosmetic field.Â

Evaluation of the Impact of Different Management Methods on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Predators in Citrus Orchards

To evaluate the effectiveness of eco-friendly treatments based on detergents classified as non-hazardous and black soap on the pest Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836, and their predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957), different treatments were applied to citrus orchards planted with Valencia late (Orange) in the Mechraa Belksiri region of Morocco (T0 = control experiment; T1 = spirodiclofen 0.5 L/Ha; T2 = 125 L/Ha (5%) of black soap; T3 = detergent; 4 L/Ha of Oni product + 2 L/Ha of Tide product). The results obtained during the whole monitoring period indicated that the three treatments used, namely spirodiclofen, black soap, and detergents, ensured a reduction in the rate of population of the pest T. urticae compared to the untreated plot. In the untreated plot, the average was 45.01 A± 4.90 mobile forms, while the plot treated with spirodiclofen it was only 21.10 C ± 2.71, the black soap 31.49 B ± 3.35, and in the plot treated with detergents, the average was similar to that obtained by spirodiclofen (22.90 C ± 2.18). On the predators (E. stipulatus, P. persimilis, and Typhlodropmus sp.), the black soap and the treatment with detergents were less harmful compared to the chemical spirodiclofen

Evaluation of the Impact of Different Management Methods on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Predators in Citrus Orchards

To evaluate the effectiveness of eco-friendly treatments based on detergents classified as non-hazardous and black soap on the pest Tetranychus urticae Koch 1836, and their predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957), different treatments were applied to citrus orchards planted with Valencia late (Orange) in the Mechraa Belksiri region of Morocco (T0 = control experiment; T1 = spirodiclofen 0.5 L/Ha; T2 = 125 L/Ha (5%) of black soap; T3 = detergent; 4 L/Ha of Oni product + 2 L/Ha of Tide product). The results obtained during the whole monitoring period indicated that the three treatments used, namely spirodiclofen, black soap, and detergents, ensured a reduction in the rate of population of the pest T. urticae compared to the untreated plot. In the untreated plot, the average was 45.01 A± 4.90 mobile forms, while the plot treated with spirodiclofen it was only 21.10 C ± 2.71, the black soap 31.49 B ± 3.35, and in the plot treated with detergents, the average was similar to that obtained by spirodiclofen (22.90 C ± 2.18). On the predators (E. stipulatus, P. persimilis, and Typhlodropmus sp.), the black soap and the treatment with detergents were less harmful compared to the chemical spirodiclofen

Current Situation of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Northern Africa: The Sustainable Control Methods and Priorities for Future Research

In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae. We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest