@article {1363, title = {Evolution of Biometric Parameters and Oil Fatty Acid Composition of Argan "Argania spinosa L. Skeels" Fruits from Beni- Snassen (Eastern Region of Morocco) During Ripening}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {March 2021}, pages = {296-308}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {296}, abstract = {

Background: Argania spinosa Skeels is an endemic forest essence of Morocco. The argan of the north-east of Morocco remains a virgin subject of study without enough value given to it. Objective: The aim of this study is to asses the evolution of biometric parameters and fatty acids composition of the argan fruits from Beni-Snassen region during ripening. Materials and Methods: 4 fruit shapes harvested over seven months were characterized through the measurement of their biometric parameters (size and weight), and their composition of majority fatty acids. Results: the studied argan tree could be classified into two major groups, namely: early-riped trees with oval or oval-apiculate fruits and late-riped trees with fusiform or spherical fruits. When considering the fruits size and weight, the highest values were recorded on late-ripened fruits, more particularly fusiform shapes. The obtained results showed, on one hand, a significant difference in the unsaturated fatty acids, according to the fruit ripeness stage and shapes, being the later significantly affecting the stearic acid content; and on another hand, it was noted an increase of oleic acid content while linoleic acid decreased. In the maturation stage, the spherical shaped fruits were found to have the highest ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the possibility to predict the kernel{\textquoteright}s weight from the fruit{\textquoteright}s length. The results also showed the good dietary and nutritional quality of spherical shapes and that the biometric parameters are important criteria for the differentiation of argan tree fruits.

}, keywords = {Argan fruits, Beni-Snassen, Biometeric parameters, Fatty Acid, Ripeness}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.39}, author = {Abdelhak Chergui and Latifa El Hafid and El Amine Ajal and Imane Zakariya and Rachid Nejjari and Mohammed Reda Tazi} } @article {789, title = {Comparative GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals from Different Plant Parts and Callus of Leptadenia reticulata Wight and Arn.}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {January 2019}, pages = {129-140}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {129}, abstract = {

Aim: The aim of this study is identification and comparative analysis of bioactive phytochemicals present in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of different plant organs and callus of Leptadenia reticulata by GC{\textendash}MS technique. Methodology: The shade dried plant samples (leaves stem and root) and callus produced from leaf of L. reticulata were powdered and then sequentially extracted in methanol and ethyl acetate solvents. Total eight extracts were prepared which were Methanolic Leaf Extract (MLE), Methanolic Stem Extract (MSE), Methanolic Root Extract (MRE), Methanolic Callus Extract (MCE), Ethyl Acetate Leaf Extract (EALE), Ethyl Acetate Root Extract (EARE), Ethyl Acetate Stem Extract (EASE) and Ethyl Acetate Callus Extract (EACE). Then, each of the extracts was further subjected to Gas Chromatography{\textendash} Mass Spectrometry (GC{\textendash}MS) analysis. Results: The GC{\textendash}MS analysis of the eight extracts revealed the presence of 77 different types of high and low molecular weight phytochemicals and bioactive compounds in varying quantities. Some of the phytochemicals detected for first time in L. reticulata are γ-sitosterol, Campesterol, Pristane, Hexahydrofarnesol, Stearic acid, Arachidic acid, Coniferyl alcohol, n-Tetracosanol-1, Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, (2S,3S)-3,7,4{\textquoteright}-Trihydroxy-5-methoxy-6-methylflavanone etc. These chemical compounds are considered biologically active and pharmacologically important. Conclusion: This study gives a detailed comparison of detection and identification of various bioactive phytochemicals from different plant parts (leaves, stem and root) and callus of L. reticulata. This provides a basis for the biological and biochemical characterization of some newly detected biologically and pharmacologically important phytochemical components from this plant.

}, keywords = {Callus, Fatty Acid, Root, Stem, Steroids, Terpenoids}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.1.22}, author = {Priyanka Godara and Bunty Kumar Dulara and Neelam Barwer and Navneet Singh Chaudhary} } @article {895, title = {Extraction and Identification of Cactus Opuntia dillenii Seed Oil and its added Value for Human Health Benefits}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {579-587}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {579}, abstract = {

Cactus Opuntia dillenii presents multiple health benefits. The current study aims to investigate the seed composition and content of prickly pear fruits from Iraq. Results obtained showed that Opuntia dillenii contained 9.5\% of seeds of the entire fruit while extracted oil presented 6.5\% of total seed composition. Fatty acid analysis revealed that the polyunsaturated linoleic acid (72.9\%), the saturated palmitic acid (15.12\%) and stearic acid (7.51\%) presented the main seed fatty acids of Opuntia dilleniid. Other essential oils were detected but at low percentage. Interestingly, stearic acid content in Cactus oil presented 7.51\%, which is much higher than soybeans (~3\%) that are considered as the largest source of animal protein feed and the second largest source of vegetable oil worldwide. Stearic acid presents neutral effects on the concentration of blood serum LDL cholesterol and does not exhibit cholesterolemic effects on human health. The analysis of cactus seed oil demonstrated a strong antioxidant ability estimated by their capability to reduce oxidation. Treated cake with BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) at concentration of 0.02 mg/100g of butter from cactus seed-oil exhibited lower peroxide values ranging from 0.67 to 1.5 milli-equivalents (meq) peroxide per 1 kg of oil throughout 15 days of storage time at 4 {\textdegree}C. In contrast, treated cake with 0.11 mg/100g of butter from cactus seed-oil presented lower peroxide values ranged from 0.69 to 2.5 meq peroxide per 1 kg of oil among all treatments. Because of its high-saturated fatty acid composition (\>22\%) and rich linoleic acid (72.9\%) composition, Opuntia dillenii present an alternative source with several health benefits by lowering cholesterol risks and for biodiesel production.

}, keywords = {Cactus, Cake, Fatty Acid, GC-MS, Peroxide value, Seed-oil}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.92}, author = {Alya Jameel Ali Alsaad and Ammar B. Altemimi and Salah Naji Aziz and Naoufal Lakhssassi} } @article {989, title = {GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Methanol Extract of Aerial Part and Callus of Dipterygium glaucum Decne}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {September 2019}, pages = {1055-1063}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1055}, abstract = {

Introduction: This study was designed to evaluate the phytocomponents present in aerial part and in vitro induced callus methanol extracts of Dipterygium glaucum by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Methods: GC-MS analysis of aerial part sample and callus produced from leaf of D. glaucum extracted in methanol solvents was performed using GC-MS QP 2010 Plus (Shimadzu, Japan) system comprising an auto sampler (AOC-20i) and a gas chromatograph interfaced to a mass spectrometer. Results: This study was carried out to identified and comparative analysis of bioactive phytochemicals from aerial part extract and callus extract of D. glaucum. This analysis revealed that both the extracts have 69 different types of phytochemical components in varying quantities. Some of the important phytochemical compounds were Stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, γ-sitosterol, Campesterol, Squalene, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Stearic acid, Myristic acid, Quinazoline, Linalyl acetate etc. These chemical compounds have anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidants properties. Conclusion: This study represents the detection and identification of different phytochemical compounds from aerial part and callus extract of D. glaucum. Thus, due to the presence of various important bioactive phytocomponents this plant is recommended as a pharmaceutically important plant.

}, keywords = {Callus, Campesterol, Capparidaceae, Fatty Acid, Stigmasterol, Terpenoids}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.165}, author = {Choudhary D and Shekhawat JK and Kataria V} }