Aromatic potential, quality and antioxidant activity of saffron grown in Morocco

peer reviewedSaffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus L., which has a special aroma, colour and odour influencing positively its economic value. In this context, ten saffron ecotypes were screened for their biochemical composition and antioxidant activity. The samples were also analysed using GC-MS and LC-MS to determine their content of volatile and phenolic compounds, respectively. The results revealed statistically significant differences among samples based on moisture (9.09%-11.23%), total phenols (31.62-62.71 mg EAG/g), total flavonoids (23.02-40.02 mg ER/mg), total carotenoids (66.12-155.05 μg/g), picrocrocin (88.99-121.53), crocin (137.44-228.39) and safranal (26.56-53.04). The radical scavenging activity ranged from 17.09% to 29.53% for DPPH assay, and oscillated from 0.128 mmol AAE/g to 0.239 mmol AAE/g for ABTS test, while the ferric reducing antioxidant potency (FRAP) varied from 0.974 to 1.989 mmol Fe2+/g. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 66 volatile compounds, among which the Safranal and Isophorone were the most abondant. The ES1 from Taliouine recorded a very distinct volatile composition compared to the others ecotypes with 22 authentic volatile compounds. Moreover, liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed 14 phenolic compounds with picrocrocin and crocin were found to be the major compounds. The principal component analysis classified the investigated ecotypes into two mean distinctive sets with ES1 and ES9 were distinguished as a single items. The α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, anethole, acetic acid, ketoisophorone, isophorone, safranal, thymoquinone, total flavonoids, FRAP and total carotenoids, are the main discriminant variables. The two-dimensional analysis of the clustered heatmaps divided showed a relatively similar patterns as the principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmed the singularity of the sample ES1 based on its particular volatile profile dominated mainly by α-terpinyl acetate, methyleugenol, copaene, anethole, limonene, methyl-cyclopentane, which were not identified in the other samples even at minor levels. These findings herein found revealed the high quality of Moroccan saffron, which is very important for the species breeding and valorization

Phenols, Volatile Compounds, Organic Acids and Antioxidant Activity of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus Unedo</i> L.) Fruits Belonging to Five Genotypes Growing in Morocco

peer reviewedThis study aims to identify the individual phenolics and volatile compounds, as well as the organic acids of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) genotype fruits. The antioxidant activities were also assessed using three methods (DPPH, ABTS and βeta carotene bleaching assays) significant differences (p˂0.05) were observed among all the genotypes. Total phenols varied from 25.37 to 39.06 mg GAE/g dried weight (DW), total flavonoids ranged between 3.30 and 7.07 mg RE/g DW, and anthocyanins varied from 0.15 to 0.64 mg cya-3-glu/100 g DW. Moreover, the antioxidant activities were in the range of 3.33–21.08, 2.25–19.58, and 1.08–13 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g DW for DPPH, ABTS and βeta carotene bleaching assays, respectively. Seventeen phenolics compounds were identified by HPLC in A. unedo fruits. Gallocatechol and catechin were the most abundant compounds. Among the volatile compounds identified, hexadecanoic acid was the most abundant in all the genotype fruits. The principal component analysis revealed that the first two components formed 66.47% of the total inertia

In-depth two-year study of phenolic profile variability among olive oils from autochthonous and Mediterranean varieties in Morocco, as revealed by a LC-MS chemometric profiling approach

Olive oil phenolic fraction considerably contributes to the sensory quality and nutritional value of this foodstuff. Herein, the phenolic fraction of 203 olive oil samples extracted from fruits of 4 autochthonous Moroccan cultivars ("Picholine Marocaine", "Dahbia", "Haouzia" and "Menara"), and 9 Mediterranean varieties recently introduced in Morocco ("Arbequina", "Arbosana", "Cornicabra", "Frantoio", "Hojiblanca", "Koroneiki", "Manzanilla", "Picholine de Languedoc" and "Picual"), were explored over two consecutive crop seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 32 phenolic compounds (and quinic acid), belonging to five chemical classes (secoiridoids, simple phenols, flavonoids, lignans and phenolic acids) were identified and quantified. Phenolic profiling revealed that the determined phenolic compounds showed variety-dependent levels, being, at the same time, significantly affected by the crop season. Moreover, based on the obtained phenolic composition and chemometric linear discriminant analysis, statistical models were obtained allowing a very satisfactory classification and prediction of the varietal origin of the studied oils.Fil: Bajoub, Aadil. Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Analítica ; España. Faculty of Science and Technology. Laboratory of Bioprocess and Bio-Interfaces ; MarruecosFil: Medina Rodríguez, Santiago. Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Analítica; EspañaFil: Olmo García, Lucía. Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Analítica; EspañaFil: El Amine, Ajal. Provincial Department Of Agriculture Of Azilal; MarruecosFil: Monasterio, Romina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Hanine, Hafida. Faculty of Science and Technology. Laboratory of Bioprocess and Bio-Interfaces ; MarruecosFil: Fernández Gutiérrez, Alfredo. Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Analítica ; EspañaFil: Carrasco Pancorbo, Aegría. Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Analítica ; Españ

Determination of Physico-biochemical Proprieties and Composition in Volatile Constituents by Solid Phase Micro-extraction of Honey Samples from Different Botanical and Geographical Origins in Morocco

peer reviewedThere is very little information available on the physicochemical proprieties and biochemical composition of the honey commercially available which are truly endangered in Morocco. None of the studied honey is available for commercial purposes, which is the main interest and novelty of this study. The aim of this work is to characterize and classify forty seven honey samples collected from different localities in Morocco and to compare them with two foreign honey samples from Ghana and France, based on their physicochemical proprieties, phenolic contents, radical scavenging activity and volatile compounds by SPME-GC/MS were used to evaluate the quality and cluster all honey samples. Variance analysis revealed highly significant differences between samples (p<0.05). Monofloral honey was characterized by the highest concentration of proline (292.77 ± 13.30). Mutifloral honey from France showed higher amounts of diastase (17.50 ± 1.80) than other compounds, while eucalyptus honey had a higher amount of HMF (105.14 ± 3.7) than the others. Multifloral honey from Ghana showed higher contents of total phenol (149.31 ± 0.41 mg GAE/100g) and flavonoids (58.28 ± 2.6mgRu/100g) than carotenoids (40.76 ± 0.7 mg Eb carotene/100g). Thyme honey showed the highest phenol content (70.97 ± 1.35 mg GAE/100g), flavonoids content (47.18 ± 2.43 mg ERu/100g) and carotenoids content (74.94 ± 3.08mEb-carotene) than other monofloral honey and glucose honey examined. The principal components analysis (PCA) was performed in order to classify honey samples and identify the most discriminant parameters. Lastly, using ANOVA and correlations for all parameters, significant differences between diverse types of honey were examined. Biochemical and SPME/GC/MS methods were used to propose a complementary approach for honey classification

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with DNA barcoding and GC-MS to assess the quality and purity of saffron (Crocus Sativus L.)

peer reviewedFourier transform infrared spectra of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) samples were acquired using attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR). The main objective of the study was to determine the chemical composition of 11 samples of saffron collected from different areas in Morocco using the chemometric analysis of ATR-FTIR fingerprints and identifying the adulterated saffron among samples bought from local markets in different countries (Spain, Iran, and Morocco). The the authenticity and the purity of saffron samples was validated through a molecular analysis (DNA barcoding coupled to sequencing) and chromatographic analysis GC-MS. The results of ATR-FTIR showed vibration intensities of six distinct fingerprint regions displaying statistically significant differences. The spectrum of the sample from Timjicht (Taznakht) showed typical bands due to the vibration in 3000-2800 cm-1 (the richest in carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids) and 1800 to 1725 cm-1 region (the richest in carbonyl and ester groups) and was classified a single subset in samples scatter plot. Then samples from Boulmane (S2), Ain Leuh (S3), Taliouine (S6), and Taznakht (S7-S8) were classified close to each other, which indicates the similarity in their vibration intensities mainly in the region of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and esters. Similarities in terms of proteins and hydroxyl groups were revealed between the samples from El Mers (S11) and Taliouine (S1). Finally, the last subgroup contained samples from Ourika, Azilal and Ain Atia, which showed low composition in all components. Furthermore, to detect adulterated saffron from samples of unknown origin, a comparison of the ATR-FTIR spectra were carried out with spectra of pure saffron and results Journal Pre-proof 2 showed that the peaks at 1706, 1732, and 1225 cm-1 (linked to crocin which are present primarily in saffron) were absent in one sample (SI). Interestingly, the use of another plant species named Arrhenatherum elatius as materiel for saffron adulteration was confirmed by the molecular study (DNA barcoding) and chromatographic analysis GC-M

Survey of phenolic acids, flavonoids and antioxidant potency between figs peels and pulps: Chemical and Chemometric Approach

peer reviewedIn the present study, chromatic coordinates, phenolic acids, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity (LPIC) essays and their relative IC50 were investigated in 25 fig cultivars growing in Morocco. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the variation in these compounds among light and dark-colored cultivars, (ii) their partitioning between fruit peel and pulp and (iii) to display network connections among these variables. Twelve phenolic compounds (PCs) were isolated in peel extract versus eight in pulp samples. Anthocyanins, mainly cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were the predominant compounds in peels, where the mean concentrations were 75.90 ± 18.76 and 77.97 ± 18.95 µg/g dw, respectively. On the other hand, (−)-epicatechin and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside were the major compounds in the pulp extracts, where the mean values were 5.23 ± 4.03 and 9.01 ± 5.67 µg/g dw, respectively. A two-dimensional hierarchically clustered heatmap was applied to the dataset to explore correlations in the dataset and similarities between cultivars, without dimensionality reduction. Results showed that anthocyanins, particularly pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were the main contributors to the peels’ free radical scavenging capacity. This capacity was particularly higher in the peel of dark-colored figs compared to the fruit pulp. The local cultivar “INRA 1301” showed the most promising phenolic profile due to its very high levels of almost all detected PCs, especially (−)-epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidine-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidine-3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside (54.66, 141.08, 35.48, 494.08, 478.66, 12.56 µg/g dw, respectively). Having the darkest figs in the collection (L* = 25.72, c* = 22.09 and h° = 20.99), this cultivar has also combined promising IC50 values, which were of 19.85, 40.58 and 124.78 µg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and LPIC essays, respectivel

Extraction and determination of polyphenols and betalain pigments in the Moroccan Prickly pear fruits (Opuntia ficus indica)

Polyphenols and betalain pigments respond property’s antioxidants benefic for the human health (Will Strike et al., 2002; Lecerf, 1999). The item present shows procured results for strengths in polyphenols and in betalains to the time in fruits and in their juice for the period 2008–2009. Our searches show that rate in polyphenols is more increased in the entire fruit than in only the juice. We have equally remarked that the red prickly pear contains amounts of polyphenols more raised than those of the yellow variety. This study has permitted us equally to value betalain pigments extracted from fruity juice. These are the betalains present in the epidermis and the pulp of the prickly pear confers on it its color varying from yellow to purple. Results show that yellow and red prickly pears contain imported strengths in betalains. Our work shows that the red prickly pear contains betaxanthin pigments in excess of the indicaxanthin that permits to valorize human’s potential spring of genuine colorings. Betalains and polyphenols are antioxidants that contribute to nutritional prickly pears’ quality and to their products of transformation

The physico-chemical characteristics of Morrocan pomegranate and evaluation of the antioxidant activity for their juices

The characteristics of pomegranate cultivars is important not only to put in evidence the diversity of varieties, but also to meet current market demand for quality fruits. The study was performed on a pomegranate collection from the National Institute for Agricultural Research experimental station, in a semi-arid climate. The aim of the current work was to study the morphological and biochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of eighteen pomegranate cultivars grown in Morocco. The results of fruit weight, aril percentage, seed percentage, and skin percentage were between 206.6–506.67 g, 56.45–69.41%, 9.36–18.56%, 22.09–42.60% respectively. This study showed that there were significant variations among the investigated cultivars for all measured parameters except aril length and seed weight. However, the results displayed that the values of total phenolic content varied from 1384.85 to 9476.32 mg GAE/L for local cultivars and from 1284.42 to 8295 mg GAE/L for foreign cultivars. These cultivars showed a high antioxidant capacity as high as 4577.12 ± 29.73 mg L−1 juice and correlated with high phenol content. The result of morphological characteristics and chemical properties implies the great potential of pomegranate grown in Morocco for both fresh consumption and fruit processing. Additionally, the ‘Grenade jaune’, ‘Chioukh’ and ‘Gordo de Jativa’ cultivars are suitable for the production of juices because of its high phenolic compositions. Keywords: Punica granatum L., Pomegranate juice, Physical properties, Total phenolics, Antioxidant activit

Assessment of genetic diversity in Moroccan sesame (

There is a need for sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) breeding in Morocco to release performant and adapted varieties, which requires a large genetic variability in the germplasm to be used. In this context, genetic diversity of sesame populations from different locations in Tadla area was investigated using ISSR (Inter Sequence Simple Repeats) markers as a simple method to reveal polymorphism among them. A total of 130 individuals representing 31 populations were sampled. Twenty-four ISSR primers were used for analysis of individuals representing the 31 different sesame populations grown in different agroclimatic zones of Tadla, accounting for 90% of sesame cultivation area in Morocco. Indeed, seven primers showed legible and reproducible genomic profiles with an interesting number of bands. A total of 57 bands were obtained with ISSR primers, of which 47 were polymorphic. PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) ranged from 0.002 to 0.350, showing that ISSR markers are informative and relevant for discriminating the populations evaluated. The similarity coefficient of ISSR data ranged from 0.509 to 1, with an average of 0.870. The results obtained showed that Moroccan sesame populations are characterized by a low genetic diversity, suggesting a genetic proximity among them. Therefore, new germplasm should be either introduced from diverse geographical origins or created through mutagenesis breeding in order to broaden the existing genetic variability