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Polygonum aviculare and Polygonum maritimum, commonly known as knotgrass and sea knotgrass, have been widely used for several purposes. Leaves, stems, and roots of these species were evaluated for ...

The antioxidant capacities of 11 populations of P. equisetiforme collected from the Saharan, arid, and semi-arid bioclimatic zones in Tunisia were investigated. Total phenolic content varied from 31 ± 5 to 113 ± 4 mg GAE/g dw. Flavonoid content varied from 29 ± 2 to 130 ± 10 mg QRE/g dw and condensed tannins ranged between 8 ± 1 and 33 ± 2 mg CTE/g dw. P. equisetiforme showed a high antioxidant potential, with the total antioxidant capacity varying from 10 ± 2 to 71 ± 3 mg GAE/g dw. The DPPH scavenging activity ranged from 12 ± 1 to 51 ± 6 mM TRE/g dw and the EC50 of reducing power ranged between 68 ± 5 and 210 ± 20 μg/mL. Plants collected from the Saharan climate showed the highest phytochemical and antioxidant activity. LC–ESI-MS analysis allowed identification of 19 compounds, of which quinic acid, gallic acid, (+)-catechin, epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, and cirsiliol were identified as major compounds. High quantitative and qualitative variability in the phenolic acid and flavonoid fractions between the studied populations were observed. Overall, P. equisetiforme could be considered as a prospective source of useful natural antioxidants.

The phenolic compound content and the beneficial effects of Capparis spinosa seed extracts (CSSE) against the toxicity induced using cisplatin and CCl4 treatment were studied. The amounts of total phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins were 83 mg gallic acid equivalents, ~92 mg rutin equivalents, and 1 mg tannic acid equivalents/g d.w., respectively. Results showed that CSSE pretreatment restored the higher content of serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, and increased activities of aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase induced by cisplatin and CCl4 treatment. Furthermore, CSSE pretreatment decreased the protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Histopathological studies confirmed that CSSE decreased the degree of tissues fibrosis. The results obtained confirmed the potential nutritional and medicinal benefits of C. spinosa and highlighted the potential use of the seeds as a source of bioantioxidants for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Seeds of Polygonum equisetiforme collected from 10 different Tunisian locations were evaluated for their crude protein content, oil content, fatty acid composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant potential to enhance their industrial uses. The Kjeldahl method revealed that proteins (Nx6.25) varied from 10.20% to 13.50% on a dry weight basis. Oil contents, ranging from 2.6% to 5% on a dry weight basis, were characterized by a consistent fatty acid profile. Gas chromatography revealed the presence of mainly unsaturated fatty acids (ca. 80%). Oleic acid (ca. 38%), linoleic acid (ca. 30%), palmitic acid (ca. 15%), and α-linolenic acid (ca. 3.8%) were the major fatty acids. Total phenol content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged from 13.36 to 33.85 mg GAE/g DW. The flavonoid content of the seed extracts was determined using the aluminium chloride method varied from 16.20 to 44.67 mg CTE/g DW. The total condensed tannin content detected using vanillin assay varied from 1.92 to 10.98 CTE/g DW. The assessment of the seed antioxidant potential was performed using the phosphomolybdenum assay and DPPH scavenging activity. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) varied from 21.17 to 46.02 mg GAE/g DW. Indeed, the studied seed extracts were strong DPPH scavengers (14.33–35.37 mM TRE/g DW). Moreover, LC-ESI/MS analysis of P. equisetiforme extracts also showed the presence of nine phenolic acids and 12 flavonoids. Gallic acid, quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, (+)- catechin, and quercetin-3-O-galactoside were the main phenolic compounds. The present work highlighted the important nutritive value of the unexploitable P. equisetiforme seeds as natural antioxidants and a safe source of proteins, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. P. equisetiforme can be considered a prospective source of useful natural bioactive molecules that could be used in functional food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of location on both the protein, oil and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and Schinus molle L. fruits. Significant variability was detected. Schinus terebinthifolius fruits contained high levels of protein (17.5–26.2%), oil (13.88–14.08%) and phenolic compounds (32.39–35.23 mg GAE/g DW). Schinus molle samples had high antioxidant activity. Unsaturated fatty acids were the major fatty acids (63.52–69.07%). An HPLC analysis revealed noticeable differences between regions and species. This study highlights the value of S. terebinthifolius and S. molle fruits as an attractive source of bioantioxidants and may be used to improve the consistent index for estimating fruit richness in biomolecules for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

The goal of the present work was a phytochemical screening together with the study of a possible hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Periploca laevigata seeds extract. Soxhlet extraction revealed that the oil content was ca. 5.5% DW and Kjeldhal method revealed that the protein level was ca. 22% DW. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and condensed tannin contents were 21.2 mg GAE/g DW, 1.65 mg QE/g DW and 0.58 mg CE/g DW, respectively. LC-ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of eighteen identified molecules and the most dominant compounds were quinic acid (ca. 3700 µg/g DW) and gallic acid (ca. 3050 µg/g DW). Pretreatment with P. laevigata extract ameliorated levels of serum parameters for liver together with oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant enzymes activities. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies showed that P. laevigata extract reduced carrageenan-induced oedema and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, and increased latency in hot plate test.

Phytochemicals from Calicotome villosa seeds were evaluated during long-term storage. Total phenols were affected during storage, ranging from 34.6 (5-years-aged seeds) to 45.1 mg GAE/g DW (16-years-aged seeds). Flavonoids increased with the storage period varying from 21.4 (seeds collected at 2013) to 34.1 mg QRE/g DW (seeds collected at 2002). The total condensed tannins were low for all storage periods and the highest value was registered for 16-years-aged seeds (0.15 ± 0.01CTE/g DW). LC-ESI/MS analysis showed five phenolic acids and 11 flavonoids, which remained steady during the long-term storage. High-maintained storage protein content (50.2% DW) occurred in C. villosa seeds even under long-term storage (up to 16 years). Globulins were the major proteins (47.6% of total proteins). All these findings made C. villosa a source of natural antioxidants with high industrial value and could be used as a potential food source. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this research paper, we have evaluated and discussed the effect of long storage duration (5, 10, 13, and 16 years) on phenolic contents, antioxidant potential, and protein profiles of C. villosa seeds. The total phenolic content determined was not affected by storage duration, while the values of flavonoid content were enhanced. The storage length significantly increased the total condensed tannin content. However, the phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds remained stable. Moreover, high-maintained storage protein content (globulins, albumins, glutelins, and globulin) occurs in C. villosa seeds even under long-term storage. The obtained results showed that the quality of the seeds was not negatively affected by long storage duration. C. villosa seeds show the prospective potential applications in the food industry.

Sabkhas are home to many xero-halophytes that could be considered renewable resources for various fiber industries. Lignocellulosic fibers of these plants are proposed as raw material for bioenergy production. Nowadays, ethanol is the major biofuel in use. In this paper, fiber composition of 21 xero-halophytic species from Tunisian sabkhas was evaluated using Ankom 200 Fiber Analyzer and compared with that obtained by other studies. The lignocellulosic biomass of xero-halophytes can be considered as an attractive raw material for the future application for the production of bioethanol, paper of good quality, and reinforcement polymers. Two perennial species are considered an important source of bioethanol production which are Sarcocornia fruticosa and Aristida pungens. Suaeda fruticosa from Tunisia can be used in the production of high-quality lightweight paper.

Despite the interest of legumes for food and feed purposes, the phytochemicals of Astragalus armatus (AA), A. caprinus (AC), and A. gombiformis (AG) have not been reported in-depth yet. Thus, the lipid contents, fatty acids composition, proteins, and bioactive compounds in the seeds of these species were investigated. Total lipids were ranged from 12.2 (AG) to 36.5 g 100 g-1 DW (AC) and consisted of linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and palmitic acid. The crude protein contents were in the range from 52.2 (AG) to 54.74 g 100 g-1 DW (AA). Globulin and albumin were the predominant soluble protein fractions. The seeds consisted significantly of different contents of total polyphenols (3.4–6.5 mg GAEg-1DW), total flavonoids (1.24–5.15 mg QEg-1DW), and total condensed tannins (12–23.2 mg CEg-1DW). The extracts mainly consisted of quinic acid, p-coumaric acid, and cirsiliol. All these findings can be assets for functional foods and/or food ingredients.

Rhus tripartitum D.C., Anacardiaceae, has traditionally been used in Tunisia against many illnesses. The present study investigates, for the first time, the protective effects of the methanol extract of Rhus tripartitum fruit (MERT) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicty in Wistar rats. ALT, AST, LDH, GGT, creatinin, urea, and uric acid levels were studied. The changes in antioxidant parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl contents were also determined. The increased levels of MDA (30.97 and 11.50 nmol MDA/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively) and protein carbonyls (13.4 and 17.95 nmol/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively) were attenuated by MERT pretreatment (19.35 and 6.1 nmol MDA/mg protein and 9.15 and 12 nmol/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively). The MERT pretreatment significantly reduced the increased biochemical parameters of liver and kidney caused by CCl4 and cisplatin treatment. The histopathologic observation showed that MERT pretreatment restores the altered tissues. The observed results could be due to the high phenolic content and to MERT’s important antioxidant potential. This study supports the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of R. tripartitum.

Lotus creticus L. (Fabaceae) is largely grown in the Mediterranean zone and considered as a socioeconomic and ecologically valuable species in the rural and arid Tunisian regions. In the present work, we focused on the unexploited seeds of four ecotypes of this plant regarding their storage proteins, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential. Both colorimetric assays and electrophoretic analysis revealed that L. creticus seeds are promising sources of protein and their total contents were in the range of 197.55–248.27 mg/g DW. Albumins constituted the major fraction and formed about 45.08% of total proteins, followed by globulins (27.32%), and glutelins (19.38%). The prolamin fraction presented only 8.22%. The methanolic extracts of the seeds were rich in phenolics. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were found to be in the range from 7.05 to 8.11 mg GAE/g DW and 11.83 to 14 mg QE/g DW, respectively, whereas the condensed tannin amounts ranged between 1.78 to 2.19 mg CTE/g DW. Moreover, the studied seeds extracts possessed high antioxidant potential as evidenced by their total antioxidant capacity (6.74–8.11 GAE/g DW), free radical DPPH scavenger activity (IC50 = 15.67–22.17 mg/mL), and reducing power (EC50 = 6.90–9.07 mg/mL) which were mainly due to the presence of several phenolics in the extracts. A total of 21 phenolics were identified and quantified using LC-ESI/MS method including 8 phenolic acids (31.81–33.83 μg/g DW) and 13 flavonoids (108.10–120.02 μg/g DW). Quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, epicatechin, hyperoside, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside were identified as the predominant compounds. Results so far have been very encouraging and proved that L. creticus seeds are an effective source of phenolics and proteins which could potentially be used for several industrial purposes.

Polygonum is the largest genus of Polygonaceae and 5 species are reported in Tunisia. In order to characterized flower, seed, and fruit development in Polygonum, flower and fruit of Polygonium equisetiforme (var. graecum and peyerinhoffi), P. aviculare and P. maritimum, collected from Tunisia, were examined. Flowers are composed of five oblong tepals. P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare have whitish-pink distylous flowers with dimorphism of style, filament and anther height, pollen diameter and stigma size. In contrast, P. maritimum shows white homostylous flowers. The floral vasculature showed that the tepals are inserted in one whorl and their traces arise independently in 3+2 manner. The eight stamens are arranged in a 5+3 manner and the staminal bundles arise independently in the two whorls. The epidermis and endothecium cells width were higher in P. maritimum and the lowest endothecium width was observed in P. aviculare. Polygonum aviculare and P. equisetiforme showed circular pollen with shallow colpi and trilobite pollen shape with deep colpi, while P. maritimum rarely showed shallow colpi. The ovule is anatropous with basal placentation in P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare and apical placentation in P. maritimum. The young seed coat was formed by an endotesta with thick-walled cells, a mesotesta and exotesta with thin-walled cells and a tegmen composed of radially elongated cells. The fruits of the studied species are trigonous with ovate-lanceolate shape. In P. aviculare, the exocarp is thicker compared to the two other species, in P. equisetiforme, the mature exocarp consists of smaller rectangular cells with narrow cavities, and in P. maritimum showed a thinner exocarpIn conclusion, P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare are a typically distylous species from the morphological point of view and we discussed the significance of heterostyly in Polygonaceae. From this first morpho-anatomical study of Polygonum species in North Africa, we can conclude mainly that there is no significant difference between P. equisetiforme var. graecum and var. peyerinhoffi supporting a taxonomic grouping of these two varieties.

Capparis spinosa , a shrub plant with a wide growing range, has long been used in traditional medicine and is frequently found in Mediterranean cuisine. The goal of the present work was to study the effect of location on the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of C. spinosa seeds. Wild samples were harvested from five different regions in Tunisia. Folin–Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride and vanillin methods were used to determine phenolic content. Individual phenolic compounds were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro antioxidant capacity was investigated using three different tests (total antioxidant capacity, DPPH-radical scavenging activity and ABTS-radical scavenging activity). Total phenolic content varied from 1.31 mg GAE/g DR to 8.14 mg GAE/g DR; total flavonoid content ranged from 4.71 mg QE/g DR to 72.79 mg QE/g DR; and total tannin content was between 12.71 mg GAE/g DR and 105.61 mg GAE/g DR. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of 34 compounds with significant variability among regions. The seeds showed great antioxidant capacity with significant variability. Capparis spinosa seeds, due to their phenolic content and high antioxidant activity, could be a prospective source of natural bioactive molecules that could replace synthetic antioxidants.

Total lipid contents, fatty acid compositions, phenolic profiles and antioxidants activities of seeds from Thapsia garganica, Orlaya maritima, and Retama raetam were investigated. The oil values were more than 26 %, except seeds of R. raetam (ca. 3 %). Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for the majority of the fatty acids (more than 75 %). Oleic and linoleic acid were the predominant fatty acids. Total phenolic compounds (24–104 mg GAE g−1 DR), total flavonoids (4–102 mg QE g−1g DR), total tannins (28–85 mg GAE g−1 DR) and condensed tannins (0.62–131 mg CE g−1 DR) were also determined. The antioxidant activities using different assays were evaluated. The predominant detected classes were the phenolic acids (42–85 %) and the flavonoids (11–48 %). The major phenolic acids were caffeic, trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic, p-coumaric, and gallic acid. The predominant flavonoids were quercetin, luteolin, naringin, apigenin, and kaempferol. This study brings attention to the medicinal importance of these species as a source of oil and antioxidant molecules.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of the Prosopis farcta seeds. The Kjeldahl method revealed that the level of the total protein was ca. 18 % on a dry weight basis (DW). Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of six fatty acids. Linoleic acid with 57.55 % was the major fatty acid, followed by oleic and palmitic acids (24.58 and 12.91 %, respectively). Total phenolic content was 1.71 mg GAE/g DW (GAE = gallic acid equivalents). Methanolic extracts showed important antioxidant properties. This work highlights the importance of P. farcta seeds as natural and inexpensive sources of protein, unsaturated fatty acid, and phenolic compounds for both cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses.

Background: Eryngium maritimum L., also known as 'sea holly', is a typical dune plant species belonging to the Apiaceae family and commonly used in Tunisia for therapeutic purposes in folk medicine. In the present study, the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the volatile fraction extracted from air-dried fruits of five Tunisian E. maritimum ecotypes were determined.; Results: The total volatile amount ranged from 0.31% to 0.93% (w d.w.-1 ). Sixty-six volatile components were identified by means of GC-MS and accounted for 77.05-86.65% of the total extracted volatile oil. The majority of the identified metabolites were hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, amounting on average to 46.69% and 30.01% of total volatiles, respectively. The principal individual components were germacrene D (13.62-31.71%), 15-hydroxy-α-muurolene (12.04-18.58%), and germacrene B (6.77-15.04%). Significant differences were noticed among E. maritimum populations. The volatile profile of E. maritimum fruits was consistently different from those of the aerial parts and roots of plants of the same species reported in previous investigations. Average radical scavenging capacity of the volatile fraction, as determined by DPPH and ABTS tests, was twice higher than that of the Trolox control.; Conclusion: This study characterised for the first time the fruits of E. maritimum for the composition and radical-scavenging capacity of their volatile fraction. The growth location confirmed as a pivotal factor in influencing the volatile profile of the fruits. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, phospholipid, tocol and sterol compositions of E. maritimum seeds collected from plants grown in ten different Tunisian littoral locations were determined. Constitutes from different locations are significantly different. Seeds presented high oil content, ranging from ca. 22% to 34% on a dry weight basis, and were characterized by a constant fatty acid profile among the growing locations. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed an important level of unsaturated fatty acids (ca. 90% of total fatty acid content), with a prevalence of oleic (ca. 63%) and linoleic (ca. 25%) acids. Results obtained by GC-FID showed that the carbon number (CN) values of the TAGs in all samples were 50 (1.5%), 52 (25.6%) and 54 (73%). Phosphatidylcholine was the most common phospholipid, accounting for more than 60% of the total content, followed by phosphatidic acid (about 30%). Different tocols concentration was reported in seeds with β-tocotrienol as the most abundant one in all samples. Stigmasterol was the most abundant sterol in all seeds, representing nearly 70% of the total content, followed by β-sitosterol and Δ7-sitosterol. In all, the findings of this work highlight the valuable levels of minor constituents from Eryngium maritimum storage lipids which can be therefore a prospective source of useful natural bioactive molecules that may replace synthetic antioxidants.

Olive (Olea europaea L.) includes cultivated olive trees (var. europaea) and wild olive trees or oleaster (var. sylvestris) as two botanical varieties. These olive varieties were widely spread in the Mediterranean Region. The aim of this study was to determine fatty acid compositions, sterols, polyphenols, and chlorophylls of oils obtained from 12 wild olive trees from Northern Tunisia. Two dominated oil cultivars in Tunisia (Chetoui and Chemlali) were also used to compare results. The fatty acid methyl ester and the sterol compositions were analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography methods, respectively. The polyphenols and chlorophylls were determined using the calorimetrical method. Results indicated that oils extracted from wild olives displayed good balanced fatty acid compositions, sterols, polyphenols, and chlorophylls. Qualitatively, for wild and cultivated olive oils, the oil has an identical composition, whereas the quantitative variation showed that some wild trees ...

Medicinal plants contain high levels of natural antioxidants and exhibited strong antioxidant activity. In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, a screening of natural antioxidants from some Tunisian medicinal plants commonly associated with treatment of some diseases were conducted. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and hydrolysables tannins were measured, and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays. Results prove that there are important quantities of these compounds in Tunisian medicinal plants. A positive linear correlation between Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and the phenolic compound contents suggested that these compounds were a major contributor of antioxidant activity of these plants. The results from this study will help us understand the antioxidant capacity profiles of these medicinal plants, and also investigate new sources of natural antioxidants.

WOS:000315557500017 ; www.elsevier.com/locate/foodqual; International audience; Decreasing the sodium content in food products without changing consumer acceptability has become an important challenge for the food industry, and several strategies are currently under investigation to reach this goal. This study investigated the effectiveness of saltiness enhancement by an odour to maintain the perception of saltiness in reduced salt content solutions. In the first experiment, we tested the hypothesis that odour intensity drives the level of saltiness enhancement. The results showed that odour can increase the salty intensity by 25%, while no clear influence of odour intensity either in tasteless solutions or in low-salt content solutions. In a second experiment, we examined whether odour could enhance saltiness in salty solutions containing potassium chloride alone or mixed with sodium chloride and in salty-sour solutions. The results showed that a higher Odour-Induced Saltiness Enhancement occurred when the salty taste relied on potassium chloride as compared to sodium chloride. However, the highest enhancement was observed in the ternary odour-sour-salty solution. These findings suggest that cross-modal odour(s)-taste(s) interactions may be an efficient strategy, in combination with the use of salt replacers, to compensate for sodium reduction in complex food systems. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capparis spinosa, Capparidaceae, is largely distributed all over the Mediterranean Basin and is traditionally used to treat many illnesses, such as liver and kidney diseases. The aim of the current study was to explore the antioxidant, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Capparis spinosa leaves (MECS) associated with its phytochemical content. The levels of total phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins were 23.37mgGAE/g, 9.05mgQE/g and 9.35mgTAE/g, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed nine compounds, namely rutin, resveratrol, coumarin, epicatechin, luteolin, catechin, kaempferol, vanillic acid and gallic acid. The MECS showed interesting antioxidant capacity. The MECS-treatment significantly reduced the increased plasma levels of creatinine, urea and uric acid, reduced the elevated MDA levels, significantly reduced the antioxidant enzyme activities and restored the kidney damage, provoked by cisplatin-treatment. Furthermore, MECS-treatment significantly prevented the increase in serum ALT, AST and LDH levels in acute liver damage induced by CCl4, decreased the amount of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and elevated the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx, and restored liver injury. This study supports the traditionally use of C. spinosa to cure kidney and liver diseases. The obtained results highlighted the possible use of C. spinosa as a source of phytochemical with important biological advantages.

Natural chemical compounds are a widely researched topic worldwide because of their potential activity against cerebrovascular diseases. Chemicals from Juniperus phoenicea berries are reported in this study. Lipids (11%) from seeds are mainly unsaturated (86%). Minerals are also quantified like Na (63.8 mg per 100 g DW) or K (373.9 mg per 100 g DW). Total reduced sugars are ca 192.6 mg g(-1) DW. Polyphenols and flavonoids from berries are highly present with an average of 1764 ± 174.3 mg gallic acid per 100 g DW and 890 ± 47.6 mg rutin per 100 g DW, respectively. Mean free radical scavenging activities, determined by DPPH and ABTS, are 1337 ± 126.2 mM TEAC per 100 g DW and 1105.7 ± 95.9 mM TEAC per 100 g DW, respectively. All findings improve the possible presence of biologically active fractions in phytocomplex that could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.

International audience; In recent years, health concerns related to salt have led to extensive research on low-salt foods. One major remaining issue is to reduce sodium content while still providing the salty fix, to maintain food appreciation, acceptance and choice. Using well-selected odours has been proposed to compensate for sodium chloride reduction in food, due to the cross-modal interactions between odour and taste. However, interactions between taste and odour, with regards to saltiness, remain poorly investigated. Moreover, although a few studies have assessed the influences of odour and sweet supra-threshold intensity on cross-modal interactions, none focused directly on how they influence saltiness. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine if the level of saltiness, i.e., the concentration of sodium chloride in aqueous solutions, influences odour-induced saltiness enhancement (OISE). A panel of 64 untrained panellists evaluated the saltiness of water solutions including salt and a tasteless odorant. Following a full factorial design, three concentrations of salt were used in conjunction with three aroma conditions. The results confirmed that OISE depends on odour-taste congruency but also clearly indicated that OISE depends on salt concentration (salty intensity): the saltiness of a low- or medium-salt-content solution increased significantly when subjects perceived simultaneously the congruent sardine aroma, but OISE was no more significant with high-saltiness solutions. This effect has to be taken into account when using OISE as a compensation strategy in low-salt food.

International audience; This article aims to determine the phenolic, tocopherol contents, and antioxidant capacities from fruits (juices, peels, and seed oils) of 6 Tunisian pomegranate ecotypes. Total anthocyanins were determined by a differential pH method. Hydrolyzable tannins were determined with potassium iodate. The tocopherol (alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol) contents were, respectively, 165.77, 107.38, and 27.29 mg/100 g from dry seed. Four phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in pomegranate peel and pulp using the high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet method: 2 hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and ellagic acids) and 2 hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids). Juice, peel, and seed oil antioxidants were confirmed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. The highest values were recorded in peels with 25.63 mmol trolox equivalent/100 g and 22.08 mmol TE/100 g for FRAP and ORAC assay, respectively. Results showed that the antioxidant potency of pomegranate extracts was correlated with their phenolic compound content. In particular, the highest correlation was reported in peels. High correlations were also found between peel hydroxybenzoic acids and FRAP ORAC antioxidant capacities. Identified tocopherols seem to contribute in major part to the antioxidant activity of seed oil. The results implied that bioactive compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food.

The contents of antioxidant compounds were examined in four commercial samples of caper, which is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. Analyses were performed by using the colorimetric assay (total phenolic compounds and vitamin C) and high-performance liquid chromatography (rutin, carotenoids and tocopherols). Moreover, vitamin A activity (as retinol equivalents) was calculated. Phenolic compound contents ranged from 1151.6 ± 19.8 to 2243.96 ± 48.2 mg/100 g FW, while rutin contents ranged from 150.62 ± 5.18 to 732.61 ± 10.49 mg/100 g FW. Total tocopherol content was from 700.23 ± 10.49 to 2555.41 ± 71.12 µg/100 FW, with α-tocopherol as the predominant isomer in all samples. β-carotene ranged between 84.8 ± 9.5 and 805.71 ± 17.73 µg/100 g FW. Capers also contained an appreciable amount of vitamin C. These results bring attention to the antioxidant vitamin value and nutritional importance of commercial caper. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Results show that caper contain significant amounts of antioxidants (total phenolic compounds, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids; and appreciable levels of vitamin C) as bioactive compounds. Irrespective of the variation between countries, commercial caper contained important contents of these compounds, thus showing caper has a great interest for its nutritional value. The combined contents of these antioxidants in commercial capers encourage consumers to increase their intake. Also, these results should be useful for researchers to explore and develop further this plant and its storage conditions for human consumption and medicinal uses.

Caper (Capparis L.), a shrub plant with a large natural distribution, is used in traditional medicines to cure various illnesses. Phytochemicals studies have shown the presence of many beneficial compounds such as spermidine, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, stigmasterol, campesterol, tocopherols, and carotenoids. Biological studies reveal important antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. The presented review summarizes information concerning the morphology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of caper plants.

Capparis spinosa has a large natural distribution over the Mediterranean basin. It is used in traditional medicines, and it is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. In this paper, the total storage protein and lipids of Tunisian Capparis spinosa seeds were investigated, and the quantities were ca. 27% and ca. 33%, respectively. In this study also the composition of the aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols of C. spinosa was characterized for the first time. Aliphatic alcohol contents were ca. 45 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids. Three compounds were identified, hexadecanol, octadecanol and tetracosanol, of which octadecanol was the major compound (ca. 28 mg kg−1). Triterpenic alcohol content was 396.82 mg kg−1. Citrostadienol was the major compound (ca. 170 mg kg−1). β-Amyrin, gramisterol, cycloartanol and 2,4 methylcycloartenol were also detected and identified.

The Tunisian pomegranate is much appreciated for its fruit production in the Mediterranean Basin. Seeds contain 17% proteins on a dry—weight basis. Punica granatum accumulates globulins and albumins as major storage proteins, respectively 43% and 32% of total storage proteins. Results indicate that the globulins are made of two groups of subunits with PM between 38 and 54 kDa, and two subunits of 13 and 18 kDa. Albumin represents three groups ranged respectively from 58 to 116 kDa, 33 to 46 kDa and 15 to 23 kDa. The glutelin (16%) form three subunits groups respectively with 37 kDa (1st group), 21 and 23 kDa (2nd group) and 14 kDa (3rd group). The least presented fraction, prolamin, represents a small proportion (9%) composed of one group of three subunits of 15, 20 and 24 kDa.

Capparis spinosa is widely distributed all over the Mediterranean Basin. Fatty acid composition of oils of C. spinosa from seven Tunisian regions was determined. The oil content of the seeds ranged from 23.25 to 33.64% on a dry weight basis. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for the majority of the fatty acids. Oleic acid with 45.82% was the main fatty acid followed by linoleic acid (25.37%), palmitic acid (15.93%), palmitoleic acid (4.55%) and stearic acid (4.06%). C. spinosa seed oil also contained a high level of tocopherols (ca. 628 mg/100 g). γ-Tocopherol was the major homologue (ca. 92%), followed by α-tocopherol (ca. 4%) and δ-tocopherol (ca. 2%). Seed oil of C. spinosa contained high amounts of carotenoids (ca. 457 µg/100 g). The contents of β-carotene (as pro-vitamin A) were also very significant (ca. 375 µg/100 g). Results encourage the use of this plant species as a new source of vegetable oil for nutritional, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The seeds of Capparis spinosa may serve as a new potential source of oil (ca. 27%). It contained mainly unsaturated fatty acids (ca. 77%). Oleic acid was the major fatty acid (ca. 45%). The level of linoleic and linolenic fatty acids was about 25 and 1%, respectively. Moreover, C. spinosa seed oil is an important source of tocopherols (as vitamin E), with approximately 628 mg/100 g and also of carotenoids (457 µg/100 g). These compounds have an important role in the prevention of many diseases and can be used in a number of personal care products. Seeds of C. spinosa are especially attractive for producing oil for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, and violaxanthin) and tocopherols of leaves, buds, and flowers of Tunisian Capparis spinosa. This plant shows strong resistance to hard environmental conditions, and it is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. In this study, the means of the total carotenoids were 3452.5 +/- 1639.4, 1002 +/- 518.5, and 342.7 +/- 187.9 microg/g fresh weight (FW) in leaves, buds, and flowers, respectively. Lutein accounts for the high content. Violaxanthin provided the lowest portion of the total carotenoids. The principal form of tocopherol detected in leaves was alpha-tocopherol (20.19 +/- 10 mg/100 g FW). In buds and flowers, there were both alpha- (49.12 +/- 17.48 and 28.68 +/- 9.13 mg/100 g FW, respectively) and gamma-tocopherol (48.13 +/- 15.08 and 27.8 +/- 16.01 mg/100 g FW, respectively). The combined content of pro-vitamin A and vitamin E in capers encourages researchers to more explore and find developments for this plant.

Peels and fresh pomegranate extracts were used in the present study for the determination of the physic-chemical properties and DPPH-ABTS scavenging activities. Total sugars of juice are fructose (ca. 7 g/100 ml) and glucose (ca. 8 g/100 ml). Contents of soluble proteins in juice extracts are about 7 g/l (Bradford assays) and 22% (Kjeldhal assays) from dry pulp. Minerals in peel and juice are respectively 9.43+/-0.93 and 9.46+/-1.05 mg/100 ml for posphorus and 210.86+/-10.70 and 271.94+/-60.59 mg/100 g for potassium. The sodium contents are nearly 7 mg/100 ml in both peel and juice. Highly antioxidant contents in peels were confirmed. Free radical scavenging is about 3.58+/-0.38 microg/ml in peel. The antioxidant capacity value determined by ABTS was 7.364+/-0.403 mM Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/100 g dry weight. These findings implied that bio-active compounds from the peel might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary food.

The Mediterranean stone pine Pinus pinea L. (gymnosperm, Pinaceae) is much appreciated for its seed production, widely used in food preparation in the Mediterranean Basin. Seeds contain 25% proteins on a dry-weight basis. Pinus pinea accumulate globulins as major storage proteins in seeds (75% of total storage proteins), composed of several subunits of 10 to 150 kDa, revealed by SDS-PAGE. The albumin fraction (15%) represents three subunits of 14, 24 and 46 kDa. Glutelins, the least soluble fraction, represents a small proportion (10%). Their constitutive units have frequent PM of 43 kDa. Prolamins also represent a very small percentage (1 to 2%).

Recently, plant seeds that have not been enough explored and exploited are cheap sources of a lot of natural molecules for industrial applications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate for the first time the composition of fatty acids and triacylglycerols (TAG) of mature unexploited seeds of some Acacia species (Acacia cyclops, Acacia ligulata and Acacia salicina) harvested in Tunisia in order to reveal their potential for human consumption.Results showed that, Acacia seed oils were mainly unsaturated (more than 71%). The polyunsaturated fatty acids were the major fractions (52–68%) with the linoleic acid as the major fatty acid (more than 52%), followed by oleic acid (15–27%) as monounsaturated fatty acid. The TAG composition was significantly different among the three Acacia species. PLL, PLO, LnLO, OLL, OOL, and OOO were the major forms. Acacia seed oil could be used as potential source of oil with high industrial value; nevertheless in vivo tests are essential to confirm its safety before use. Keywords: Acacia, Seed oil, Fatty acids, Mass spectrometer, Triacylglycerols

The phytochemical content (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, condensed tannins and phenolic composition) and the antioxidant potential of Rhus tripartitum fruits collected from different localities were screened during maturity. Significant variability was detected. HPLC analyses revealed the presence of 24 compounds with notable differences. Flavone and betulinic acid, which have numerous benefits, were the main detected compounds (more than 73%). This work highlights the importance of R. tripartitum fruits as dietary sources of natural antioxidants, and might be appropriate for the development of reliable index to estimate fruit richness with bioactive molecules.

A series of results is reported on cross modal odour-taste interactions as a mean to enhance salty taste in food. Salt-related odours can enhance salty taste in water solutions containing a low level of sodium chloride through odour-induced changes in taste perception. Odour-induced saltiness perception enhancement (OISE) depends on salt concentration (intensity). OISE was also found effective in low-salt content solid model cheese, but texture dependant. A significant saltiness perception enhancement induced by Comté cheese and sardine odours was observed for softer textures only. In ternary odour-sour-salty solutions, sourness enhances saltiness perception additively with salt-related odours. Finally, in cream-based food systems, a strategy combining OISE and heterogeneous distribution of stimuli was found to compensate for over 35% decrease in salt-content without significant loss of acceptability. However, variation of composition of the food matrix influences aroma and saltiness perception. Therefore, it could modulate the overall saltiness perception.

WOS:000320433100013 ; http://link.springer.com/journal/11746; International audience; Seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes, harvested in Tunisia, were examined for their seed oil contents of carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols. The average carotenoid content (lutein and zeaxanthin) was ca. 102 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids. Lutein (ca. 97 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids) was usually more abundant than zeaxanthin (ca. 5 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids). The mean total tocopherol content was ca. 704 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids. The main isomer was alpha-tocopherol, with more than 75 % of total tocopherols (ca. 528 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids), followed by gamma-tocopherol (ca. 168 mg kg(-1) of total extracted lipids) and delta-tocopherol (ca. 86 mg kg(-1) of total lipids). High levels of phytosterols (ca. 7.8 g kg(-1) of total extracted lipids) were detected, among which beta-sitosterol was the most abundant (47 %). All these results highlight the richness of carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols in A. cyanophylla seed oil, and imply that this species might constitute a potential resource for the development of functional foods.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a nutrient dense food rich in beneficial phytochemicals. The aim of this study is to investigate and to determine antioxidant contents from local and highly consumed pomegranate variety called ‘Gabsi’. Peels, seeds, leaves and flowers were used to quantify total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and hydrolysable tannins. Antioxidants contents were as follows: peel > flower > leaf > seed.Total polyphenols contents from peels were 85.60 ± 4.87 mg gallic acid equivalents per g dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (51.52 ± 8.14 mg rutin equivalents per g DW (mg RE/g DW), anthocyanins (102.2 ± 16.4 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents per g DW (mg CGE/g DW) and hydrolysable tannins (139.63 ± 4.25 mg tannic acid equivalent per g of DW (mg TAE/g DW). High free radical scavenging activity is reported in peels and flowers. Effective concentration at 50% (EC50) was 3.88 ± 0.33 µg/ml (peels) and 4.55 ± 0.97 µg/ml (flowers). Antioxidant capacity value was respectively 7.50 ± 0.83 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) mg/g DW (peels) and 6.39 ± 0.83 TEAC mg/g DW (flowers). Less important values were obtained from leaves (4.16 ± 1.35 TEAC mg/g DW) and seeds (1.10 ± 0.23 TEAC mg/g DW). Peels and flowers extract exhibited higher activities than seeds and leaves. All of these findings implied that bioactive compounds from pomegranate peels, flowers, leaves and seeds might be potential resources for the development of antioxidant function dietary foods. Extraction process of whole fruits may provide a commercial pomegranate juice with high antioxidants and consequently high usefulness antioxidant activities. Key words: Pomegranate fruit and leaves extracts, polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, total tannins, antioxidant activity.

Chemicals from fresh pomegranates were established. Total sugar of juice extracts are mainly fructose (ca. 7.27 g/100 ml) and glucose (ca. 8.11 g/100 ml). Pulp minerals, expressed as mg/100g are potassium (351.26), magnesium (10.02), calcium (9.26), sodium (7.25), iron (0.15), Zinc (0.10), copper (0.08) and manganese (0.04). Juice proteins are about 7.95 g/l and dry pulp proteins are 24% on a dry-weight basis DW (Kjeldhal assays). Seed proteins are ca. 16.87% DW. Globulins (62.4 mg/g DW) and albumins (54.12 mg/g DW) are the major storage protein fractions, followed by glutelins (33.2 mg/g DW) and prolamins (18.08 mg/g DW). Seed total amino acid content is 14.45 g/100 g DW. Seeds are rich in Glu, Arg, Asp, Leu and Gly amino acids. Essential amino acids average 33.54% of total amino acid. Essential amino acids are mostly all much higher than the requirement of FAO/WHO for adults (but none for preschool children). Most other amino acids have content slightly fewer. All of these findings implied that the content of sugar, mineral and protein maybe included in pomegranate as supplements for commonly diets.

This study reported investigations on phytochemical screening and antioxidants activities of seeds from seven Acacia species. Storage proteins and mineral contents were determined. The seed extracts of Acacia species were evaluated for their total phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids contents and total antioxidant capacity assessed by 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Total protein content ranged from 99.49 (Acacia cyclops) to 142.77 (Acaciacyanaphylla) mg/g dry weight basis (DW) according to the Acacia species, having an average of 120.41 mg/g DW. The albumin constitutes the major fraction presenting 31.11%, followed by globulin (27.36%), prolamin (22.27%) and glutelin (19.27%). The Acacia seeds were rich in minerals. The total phenolic compounds (TPC) determinate ranged from 154.47 (A.cyclops) to 1217.99 (Acacia horrida) with an average of 632.40 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g DW. The total flavonoid contents have an average of 11.21 mg rutin equivalents/100 g DW, and the carotenoids mean is 4.23 mg/kg. The Acacia seed extracts have an antioxidant activity reflected by the ABTS and DPPH tests. The Duncan’s test showed significant difference of proteinic, phenolics, flavonoid and carotenoid contents according to the Acaciaspecies. Therefore, natural components from Acacia seeds could be incorporated as food ingredient, without causing detrimental effects to the food's palatability and the functional ingredient's efficacy. Key words: Acacia seeds, storage proteins, minerals, polyphenols, flavonoids, radical scavenging activity.

Pomegranate seed oil is considered a powerful health-benefiting agent due to its anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic properties. Lipids from 21 pomegranate cultivars (15 Tunisian and 6 Chinese) were extracted and fatty acids were identified. Total lipids (16% on a dry weight basis) are mainly unsaturated (ca. 88%). Qualitatively, the pomegranate fatty acid composition is identical. Quantitatively, the predominant fatty acid was linolenic acid (44.51-86.14%), followed by linoleic acid (3.57-13.92%), oleic acid (3.03-12.88%), palmitic acid (3.13-11.82%), stearic acid (1.68-15.64%), gadoleic acid (0.50-4.91%), lignoceric acid ( < 2.53%), arachidic acid ( < 1.70%) and myristic acid ( < 0.85%). Statistical methods revealed how Chinese and Tunisian pomegranate fatty acid contents may be affected by the sampling location.

International audience; Oleaginous seeds are among the functional foods most recognized for their tocopherols and triacylglycerols because of their role in lipid metabolism. In this paper, the tocopherol and triacylglycerol contents in seeds of several Pinus pinea L. populations around the Mediterranean Basin were investigated. Lipids were extracted from fully ripen seeds with petroleum ether. The tocopherol (a-tocopherol, g-tocopherol, and d-tocopherol) contents were, respectively, 15.349 3.75 ppm, 1,681.759404.03 ppm and 41.8799.79 ppm. Lipids (mainly triacylglycerols) in P. pinea seeds averaged 48% on a dry weight basis. Triacylglycerols with an equivalent carbon number of 44 (32.27%) and of 46 (30.91%) were dominant. The major triacylglycerol was LLO (24.06%). Tocopherols and triacylglycerols were present at remarkably high levels, thus making P. pinea oil a valuable source of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids with varying levels across the geographical range of P. pinea

International audience; We used paternally inherited chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSR) to study population genetic structure in the endemic and highly restricted Serbian spruce Picea omorika. Fragment size polymorphism at the five cpSSR regions that could be amplified out of the nine tested combined into only four different haplotypes in the seven populations studied. Mean total haplotypic diversity was H T = 0.395, and mean within-population diversity was H s = 0.279. Haplotypic variation was lower than in most conifers described so far and partitioned into two geographical groups. All northern P. omorika populations were fixed or nearly fixed for the common haplotype, while southern populations exhibited two to three haplotypes. We suggest that current P. omorika populations are shaped by extreme demographic bottleneck and random genetic drift linked to Quaternary glacial cycles. P. omorika thus belongs to the small group of genetically depauperate tree species

Individual components of Pinus pinea L. oil unsaponifiable matter isolated from seven Mediterranean populations were identified and quantified. P. pinea oil unsaponifiable matter contained very high levels of phytosterols (≥4298 mg kg-1 of total extracted lipids), of which β-sitosterol was the most abundant (74%). Aliphatic alcohol contents were 1365 mg kg-1 of total extracted lipids, of which octacosanol was the most abundant (41%). Two alcohols (hexacosanol and octacosanol), which are usually absent in common vegetable oils, were described for P. pinea oils. There were almost no differences in the total unsaponifiable matter of the seven Mediterranean populations studied. However, sterol and aliphatic alcohol contents showed some variability, with Tunisian and Moroccan populations showing very different and higher contents. Keywords: Mediterranean stone pine; seeds; sterols; aliphatic alcohols

The Mediterranean stone pine Pinus pinea L. (gymnosperm, Pinaceae) is much appreciated for its seed production, widely used in food preparation in the Mediterranean Basin. Seeds contain 25% proteins on a dry-weight basis. Pinus pinea accumulate globulins as major storage proteins in seeds (75% of total storage proteins), composed of several subunits of 10 to 150 kDa, revealed by SDS-PAGE. The albumin fraction (15%) represents three subunits of 14, 24 and 46 kDa. Glutelins, the least soluble fraction, represents a small proportion (10%). Their constitutive units have frequent PM of 43 kDa. Prolamins also represent a very small percentage (1 to 2%).

Pinus pinea L. is widely disseminated all over the Mediterranean Basin. Qualitatively, P. pinea fatty acid seed composition is identical and typical of the genus Pinus. This composition is made of unsaturated oil with several unusual polymethylene-interrupted unsaturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid is the major fatty acid followed by oleic, palmitic and stearic acids. Quantitatively, for all Mediterranean populations, total amounts of fatty acids seem to be fairly constant and independent from their origin. When applying principal component analysis, it seems that there is not a distinct geographical variability. Tunisian populations appear to be integral part of the Mediterranean populations without any particular structuring. Taking into account this research and the data reported in the literature, we can confirm that P. pinea expresses no significant variability. This low genetic diversity revealed by fatty acid composition can be explained by anthropogenetic diffusion of genetically homogeneous reproductive material as early as the first explorations.