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The Moroccan date-growing sector is rich in a wide diversity of varieties but faces major challenges, notably the undervaluation of certain varieties intended mainly for animal feed. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the antiglycation activity of four date varieties, including three low-market-value varieties and one high-market-value variety, harvested during two seasons (2021 and 2022). In addition, to improve our knowledge of the antiglycation potential, molecular docking analyses were carried out. The results of the antiglycation activity of the date extracts showed strong activity, particularly for the 'Khalt Khal' variety, which showed a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of 1.83 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In addition, the molecular docking analysis also showed the possible link between the bioactive compounds identified and their mechanisms of action. Our findings suggest new evidence for the antiglycation properties of the bioactive compounds present in dates. These results suggest the use of these varieties as a source of bioactive molecules or as a food additive. This could make it possible to create medicines or food products with a high commercial value using dates, which could help to treat the complications associated with glycation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicability of the otolith shape analysis of the European sardine, Sardina pilchardus was investigated to help in stock discrimination. Discriminant analysis was achieved by an otolith-based morphometrics assignment of otolith shape; 360 specimens of S. pilchardus were collected from three localities (Larache, Safi and Dakhla). Otolith shapes were described from otolith measurements and elliptic Fourier descriptors. This analysis showed the presence of three different morphotypes in the studied locations. The existence of three morphotypes is probably related to the variation of oceanographic conditions impacting the feeding regime and fish growth. This study proved that otolith shape analysis could become an accurate marker for S. pilchardus population discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was a better understanding of the phenotypic diversity of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in southern Morocco. To determine the total degree of polymorphism and find their distinct phenotypic attributes, 17 date palm accessions from various date palm groves in the Drâa-Tafilalet zone (Zagora) were studied. Thirty vegetative and reproductive parameters were examined, and multidimensional statistical methods were used to assess the data. These findings indicated that the date palm germplasm exhibited a high level of genetic polymorphism. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that leaf length and width, spine length and width, and fruit sizes were responsible for a considerable amount of the observed variability. Strong correlations were found between the studied traits, especially between fruit dimensions (length and width) and fruit and pulp weights (0.776; 0.861; 0.868; 0.719), respectively. A positive correlation was also found between petiole width at the bottom and spines (0.706), between petiole width at the bottom and leaflets number (0.765) as well as between spadice length and spadice length at the ramified part (0.673). Five phenotypic groups were identified with levels of dissimilarity ranging from 0.37 to 0.92. The first cluster had four cultivars (Bourar, Mentouj tissgharine, Khalt lohmadi and Khalt abdelghani); the second group possessed six cultivars (Khalt bheir ngli, Khalt iaach, Bouezgagh, Black bousthammi, KHL and Elmensoum); the third cluster included four cultivars (Elahmer chetoui, Elasfer eljaid, Hak feddan laaneb and Khalt khel); the fourth group contained two cultivars (Khalt zoubair ibn laouam and Mentouj lhaj lehbib); and the fifth group contained only one cultivar, 'Khalt iaissi'. In each one of these groups, the similarities observed between cultivars were based on fruit characteristics (semi-dry, dry, and soft dates). This work highlighted the most important traits that can be used for assessing the diversity of date palm trees and fruit. Leaf length and width, spine length and width, and fruit sizes had the highest discrimination value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]