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Comparative analysis of some biochemical parameters of argan pulp morphotypes (Argania spinosa (L) Skeels) during maturity and according to the continentality in Essaouira region (Morocco)

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Abstract

Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is an endemic forest tree for Morocco. The phytochemical compounds evaluation of four different morphotypes of their fruit pulps was investigated. The total content of sugar, protein and phenolic compounds were monitored during three different stages of maturation in the semi-continental (Mejji) and littoral regions (R’zwa). Total sugars, proteins, phenolics increased up to the ripe stage of all argan fruit morphotypes in the two regions. Spherical shape had higher sugar and protein content than other morphotypes. A significant difference (p < 0.05), was demonstrated by Pearson’s test, between the different morphotypes at three stages studied for all the phytochemicals compounds. Likewise, ANOVA test established that the variation of this compounds was influenced by the stage of maturation and/or region of development and/or their interaction according to fruit shape. Results from this study revealed that the increase of these parameters level take place for the most part during the last stages of maturity which synchronize with fruit softening. Furthermore, our results showed information about the richness of argan fruit pulp in carbohydrates compounds and secondary metabolites as the possibility of their contribution in nutritive forage value especially at ripe stage.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the authorities of CNRST/Morocco (URAC35) and CNERS/Morocco (National Centre for Saharan Studies and Research) for their support to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biotechnologies, Biochemistry, Valorization and Protection of Plants, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, My Abdallah Street, PB: 2390, 40000, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Nawal Zhar, Khalid Naamani & Abderrahim El Keroumi

  2. Laboratory of Biotechnology of Valorization and Protection of Agroresources, Faculty of Sciences and Technique Gueliz, Cadi Ayyad University, Abdelkarim Elkhattabi Street, Gueliz, PB: 549, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Abdelhi Dihazi

  3. Faculty of Sciences and Technique, Equipe Protection, Amelioration and Vegetal Ecophysiology, My Ismail University, PB: 509, 52000, Boutalamine, Errachidia, Morocco

    Fatima Jaiti

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  1. Nawal Zhar
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  2. Khalid Naamani
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  3. Abdelhi Dihazi
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Correspondence to Nawal Zhar.

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Zhar, N., Naamani, K., Dihazi, A. et al. Comparative analysis of some biochemical parameters of argan pulp morphotypes (Argania spinosa (L) Skeels) during maturity and according to the continentality in Essaouira region (Morocco). Physiol Mol Biol Plants 22, 361–370 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-016-0365-z

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