Soumaya Bourgou

• Center of Biotechnogy of Borj Cédria

This study focuses on optimizing the extraction conditions for antioxidants from the fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) through ultrasound-assisted extraction with the aim of creating a stable and effective cosmetic formulation. RSM was used to optimize the extraction parameters to ultrasonic power of 60%, with 50% ethanol concentration...

This study focuses on optimizing the extraction conditions for antioxidants from the fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) through ultrasound-assisted extraction in the aim of creating a stable and effective cosmetic formulation. RSM was used to optimize the extraction parameters to ultrasonic power of 60%, with 50% ethanol concentration f...

The study aimed to investigate the impact of fractionation on Schinus molle essential oil composition and antimicrobial properties. The crude oil was fractionated using open-column chromatography, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) identified Dl-limonene as chemotype (31.14%). Unfractionated oil showed substantial antimicrobial effect...

Eucalyptus stands out as a crucial species for forest cultivation, particularly due to its widespread industrial applications particularly the production of essential oils (EOs). Given the international significance of Eucalyptus EOs and their potential to enhance environmental and socioeconomic conditions, the aim of this work is to investigate th...

The extracts from six algae species (Chaetomorpha linum and Caulerpa prolifera, Acanthophora sp. Gracilaria gracilis, Ectocarpus sp. and Cystoseira barbata) were tested for total phenols, total flavonoids and condensed tannin contents and for their in vitro antioxidant activities. The amount of total phenolics varied from 0.25 to 3.75 mg GAE/g, the...

he goal of this work was to investigate the chemical composition of Aloysia citriodora essential oil and its biological activities as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory potentials depending on the collection region. The highest essential oil yields were in Gabes and Kairouan at the Arid bioclimatic zone. Sixty volatile com...

The extraction of oil from oilseeds is conventionnaly performed using n-hexane. However, due to its toxicity and drawbacks, there is a growing need to explore greener solvents. In this study, 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx) was selected to evaluate its potential as a replacement for n-hexane in extracting lipophilic compounds from Pistacia lentiscus seeds...

Medicinal plants possessed important biological activities that constitutes an important source for the development of bioactive compounds used as alternative to chemical pesticides. The present study investigated the allelopathic activities of Tetraclinis articulata and Cupressus sempervirens essential oils (EOs) extracted at vegetative, flowering...

Formulating a nanoemulsion (NE) of essential oil (EO) could enhance its efficiency while requiring lower concentrations. Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell EO was rich in monoterpenes hydrocarbons. NE was prepared and the effect of surfactant (Tween 20, 40 and 80) and shearing time were investigated. The results showed that the best NE was formed using...

In this study, the anti-cancer, anti-tyrosinase, and antioxidant activities of essential oils (EOs) of berries and leaves of Juniperus phoenicea grown wild in North of Tunisia were investigated. The EO yields from leaves and berries were 1.69% and 0.45%, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that α-pinene is the predominant component in both EOs (4...

The present study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative performance of five green solvents, namely 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF), cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), p-cymene, d-limonene and ethanol to substitute n-hexane, for sesame seed oil extraction. In fact, both CPME and MeTHF gave higher crude yields than n-hexane (58.82, 54.9...

Pistacia lentiscus L. fruits are an excellent source of phenolic compounds endowed with antioxidant activities. Ethanol-water mixtures are in focus for plant extracts preparation due to their acceptability for human consumption. In this study, the effect of ethanol concentration in ethanol/water (EtOH/H 2 O) extraction solvent on the solubility of...

Medicinal plants produced many secondary metabolites which constituted an important source of bioactive molecules. This study aims to determine organic extracts (EOs) antioxidant activity extracted from terminal branches of Pistacia lentiscus (P. lentiscus) collected at three different phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and fructification)....

Carrot is one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the world. Its mild, sweet flavour lends itself to all kinds of combinations in the kitchen and appeals both to young and old alike. The main carotenoids found in carrots (raw, cooked or in juice) are beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are compounds known for their antioxidant p...

Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most damaging beetle species destroying stored products. Their management are difficult because they are developing resistance to insecticide. Essential oil application as bio-pesticide is receiving renewed attention. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) is a relevant crop in the production o...

Background: The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides the main barrier between the internal and external environment. Assessment of skin permeability is of critical importance for understanding and predicting in vivo efficacy and bioavailability of bioactive phenolic compounds. Objectives: This study investigated the relationship betwe...

Background: The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides the main barrier between the internal and external environment. Assessment of skin permeability is of critical importance to understanding and predicting in vivo efficacy and bioavailability of bioactive phenolic compounds. Objective: This study investigated the relationship between...

The present study aims to investigate the volatile compound and the triacylglycerol profiles of Tunisian cold pressed Moringa oleifera seed oil (MoSO) and to assess its thermal properties and its biological activities. GC-MS analysis identified thirty six phyto-compounds amounting to 98.99% of the total oil. These compounds were classified into ele...

Lepidium sativum is cultivated mainly for the edible oil from its seeds, and considered as an unutilized and neglected crop despite its important properties. Its oil fraction is used to produce soap and stabilize linseed oil when it is mixed with wild mustard seed oil. Once converted into fatty acid methyl esters, it represents a good substitute fo...

In the context of plant conservation and sustainable use of unique neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, this study focused on the Tunisian local endemic Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae). Using Geographical Information Systems and online databases, detailed taxon-specific ecological profiling was produced for the first ti...

This study evaluates the potential protective effect of Myrtus communis leaves buthanolic fraction (MBF) on CoCl2 and H2 O2 -challenged H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. The identification of the main compounds by LC-ESITOF-MS was assessed. Among the 23 identified molecules (12 ellagitannins, 8 flavonoids, 1 coumarins, 1 anthocyanin and 1 myrtucommulone),...

In the frame of conservation and sustainable utilization of neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, this study produced for the first time a detailed ecological profiling for the local Tunisian endemic Marrubium ascheronii (Lamiaceae) using Geographical Information Systems and open-source data. This profile was used to illustrate the ab...

Medicinal-aromatic plants (MAPs) are important sources for the development of new valuable products of interest to human and animal health, and are also used as ornamentals for the horticulture industry. However, the increased global demand and the uncontrolled exploitation of these plants constitute a threat to their sustainability. To date, few s...

The aim of this research was to investigate the variation regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of needles essential oils (EOs) of P. halepensis. Chemical profiles demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) variability among the different EOs. The main identified compounds were caryophyllene (48.77 ± 2.26), phenyl isovalerate (22....

In the frame of the sustainable use of neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, and along with numerous studies in Abies spp. due to the innate conservation value of fir forests, this research focused on the Moroccan endemic fir, Abies marocana. The aim was triple-fold: to assess its potential and dynamics in economic sectors for sustain...

Limonium genus is traditionally used in North Africa for disease treatment and in cosmetic. This study investigates for the first time the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities of two Tunisian endemic plants, L. boitardii and L. cercinense. Analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out by using RP-HPLC. Total phenolic and...

Background: Internet trade popularize the ornamental interest of plants but can also threaten species’ wild populations, if this activity is performed in uncontrolled and unauthorised ways. Questions: What endemic plants of Morocco and Tunisia are traded over the Internet by whom and at what prices? Studied species: 94 endemic plants of northern...

The neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) could become alternative food sources in the agro-alimentary sector, enriching human and animal diets, offering the opportunity for sustainable exploitation, resilience to climate change, and production with resistance to pests and diseases. In the Mediterranean countries, these valuable resources are t...

Abstract: A comparative study of bioactive lipids extraction from black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seeds using conventional petroleum-based solvent and green solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) was performed. MeTHF extraction allowed obtaining the highest oil yield in black cumin (34%). Regarding fatty acids compo...

The neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) have never been mainstreamed by researchers, politicians and stakeholders for sustainable exploitation in the ornamental-horticultural sector. This study focused on 399 local endemic plants of three Mediterranean regions (Crete, Mediterranean coast-Rif of Morocco, Tunisia), with the aim to develop a new...

The objective of this study is twofold: firstly, to review the local endemic plants of Tunisia and northern Morocco (Mediterranean coast and Rif region) and the extent to which extinction risk status characterisations have been assigned to date to the endemic plants of these areas; and secondly, to identify which of these unique taxa are conserved...

Six Tunisian medicinal plants were screened for their phenolic pools, antioxidant activities as well as for their anti-inflammatory and gastro-protective effects. A significant variability in phenolic composition and antioxidant capacities between species were observed. Myrtus communis L. exhibited the highest phenolic contents and composition as w...

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of two Tunisian Ephedra species (E. alata and E. fragilis) through their phytochemical constituents. The ethanol extract of E. alata exhibited potent antioxidant power activities and highpolyphenol contents. The ethyl acetate extract of this speci...

This study targets to explore the bioactivties of the essential oils (EOs) ofCuminum cyminum and Carum carvi alone and three combinations and the impact of the emulsification process on their bioactivities. The mixture of EOs exhibited high reducing power and antiradical activity as well as antibacterial activity. Combination at a ratio of 0.7: 0.3...

The effect of drying methods (sun, oven and shade drying) on aniseeds was investigated in terms of their essential oils, phenolics and antioxidant activities. The optimum yield of essential oil was found in shade drying (2.62%). Fourteen volatile compounds were determined in all samples with variation of the main component proportions depending on...

Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae) is a halophyte which is known for its high importance in phytomedicine and ecology. In this work, phytochemical analysis, as well as antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated for EOH, EA and PE fractions of G. flavum shoots. Results showed that total polyphenol amounts were highest...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the replacement aspects of conventional methods (petroleum-based solvent and Folch assay) by alternative methods (bio-based and biodegradable solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) and supercritical CO 2 (SC-CO 2)) for seed oil extraction from anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)....

Mediterranean Basin is a biodiversity hot-spot, including numerous wild edible greens, commercially appreciated ornamental species and valuable aromatic-medicinal plants, many of which are local endemics. MULTI-VAL-END project brings focus on unique, neglected and underutilised plants (357 single-region endemics) of Crete (Greece), northern Morocco...

Triterpenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols presented in unsaponifiable fraction of grape seed oil have several beneficial effects comprising antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antitumor capacities. In this study, the unsaponifiable fraction of three Tunisian grape seed varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), namely Merlot, Carignan, and Syrah, was invest...

This study assesses, qualitatively and quantitatively, the performance of ten bio-based solvents to replace hexane for the extraction of oil from Pistacia lentiscus edible fruits. Solvent screening was achieved through theoretical approach using the COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvation (COSMO-RS) predictions and an experimental pr...

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of four aniseed populations (Egyptian, Serbian, Tunisian and Turkish) were investigated during three developmental stages. The highest oil yield was achieved at full maturity in all aniseed accessions ranged from 11.93% (Serbia) to 13.80% (Tunisia). Fatty acid profile of aniseed oil was characterized by...

Anis (Pimpinella anisum L.) seeds obtained from two geographic origins Tunisia (TAS) and Egypt (EAS) were studied regarding their biochemical composition and the antioxidant potential of their extracts. The results showed that the highest value of oil was detected with TAS compared to that of EAS ones. Ten (10) fatty acids were identified for the t...

In arid and semi-arid regions, plants are often subjected to severe environmental conditions such as salinity, drought and extreme temperatures. Halophyte species are salt-tolerant plants which are characterized by high physiological plasticity and are able to thrive under stressful conditions by developing adaptive responses including the synthesi...

In this work, LC–ESI-TOF–MS and GC-EI-MS were used to assess the potential of Artemisia herba alba as a source of health-promoting constituents. Besides, the antioxidant, the antimicrobial and the cytotoxic potentials were evaluated. A total of 86 metabolites, including C-glycosylated and methylated flavones, quinic acid derivatives, coumarins, ses...

In this study, two Euphorbia species (i.e. terracina and paralias) were investigated for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Cytotoxicity of plant methanol and chloroform fractions was examined towards human acute myeloid leukemia (THP1) and human colon epithelial (Caco2) cancer cell lines, as well as CD 14 and IEC-6 normal cells by targeti...

In this study, the effects of salinity on growth, fatty acid, essential oil, and phenolic composition of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds as well as the antioxidant activities of their extracts were investigated. Plants were treated with different concentrations of NaCl treatment: 0, 50, 75, and 125 mmoL. Plant growth was significantly reduced with...

The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of phenolic compounds from cultivated and wild Tunisian Ruta chalepensis L. leaves, stems, and flowers were assessed. The leaves and the flowers exhibited high but similar total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin content. Moreover, two organs showed strong, although not significantly different, total anti...

This work proposes to optimize the parameters extraction of phenolic compounds from the aerial part of Euphorbia helioscopia native Sidi Thabet. The following first stage was designed to study to study the effect of solvent polarity and extraction technique on antioxidant capacities of the species. The results showed that the mixed aqueous extracts...

Although the genus Limonium was widely used in traditional medicine, few studies have focused on the biological capacities of different species of this group. In this study, biological activities of hexanic, dichloromethane, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts, related to their phenolic contents, and HPLC phytochemical analysis of the halophyte Limo...

This study characterized the phenolic, aroma compositions and antioxidant capacities of four Artemisia herba alba accessions collected from north and center regions in Tunisia in order to select valuable origin with optimal bioactive compounds production. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents varied between accessions with maxima contents obs...

Thyme species are aromatic plants widely used in Tunisia as spices and for its antispasmodic, antimicrobial, expectorant and antioxidant activities. This work aimed to assess the richness of Thymus capitatus and T. algeriensis leaves on phenolics and essential oils (EOs) and to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of these compounds...

The effects of two extraction methods, used at three ripening stages on the total polyphenol contents and the antioxidant activities of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seed extracts were studied. The ripening stage effect on some physical properties of cumin seed was significant. The increase of dry matter (from 10.3 to 87.5 %) during ripeness was corre...

Essential oil, extracted from Opuntia ficus seeds cultivated in Tunisia, was analyzed for fatty acids composition, lipidic classes distribution and antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of the seeds was analysed by GC and GC-MS. Seeds oil yield was 14.10%. Fourteen fatty acids were identified with linolenic acid being the main one (53.46%)...

Volatiles of leaves, stalks and roots of Tunisian celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) were extracted either by hydrodistillation or by maceration in organic solvents. After concentration, essential oils and aroma extracts were studied by gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A high proportion of essential oils and aroma extract...

Nigella sativa is a one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. This plant is traditionally used for the treatment of several pathologies. In this study, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activities of the shoots, roots and seeds methanol extracts from N. sativa were studied. The three organ...

Changes of antioxidants in the seeds of mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) fruits during three stages of ripening (IM, SM and CM) were evaluated. Comparison between the two varieties showed that Mandarin exhibited the highest total polyphenols and flavonoids contents at IM and SM stages, respectively while bitter oran...

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on growth, fatty acid composition, phenol content and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa organs. Plants were grown hydroponically under NaCl stress (0, 20 40 and 60 mM). The results indicated that salinity affected N. sativa growth. The fatty acid composition of the leaves an...

Polyphenol contents and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seed extracts were compared depending on their geographical origin (Tunisia and India: TCS and ICS, respectively) and the extraction solvent polarity. The β-carotene bleaching assay, the chelating ability and the reducing power of...

The present work investigates the effect of ripening stage on the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from peel of four citrus: bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), lemon (Citrus limon), orange maltaise (Citrus sinensis), and mandarin (Citrus reticulate) and on their antibacterial activity. Essential oils yields varied during ripening from...

In the current study, we determined the effects of seven drying methods on total phenolics, flavonoids, individual phenolics, and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Salvia officinalis L. As compared with total phenolic content (TPC) of fresh plants, results showed that the highest TPC was recorded in plants dried by microwave (MW) at a...

Fractionation of the essential oil from the seeds of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) led to the isolation of four terpenoids: trans- (1), cis-sabinene hydrate methyl ether (2), 1,2-epoxy-menth-4-ene (3) and 1,2-epoxy-menth-4(8)-ene (4). Structure elucidation was performed using NMR (1D and 2D NMR) experiments and mass spectral data. Compounds 3 and...

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds of two geographic origins, Tunisia (TCS) and India (ICS), were studied regarding their fatty acid and essential oil composition. Oil yields were 17.77 and 15.40% for TCS and ICS respectively. Petroselinic acid (C18:1n-12) was the major fatty acid in both varieties, with a higher proportion being found in TCS (55.90%...

Salvia officinalis L. is a medicinal plant containing several compounds with important pharmacological activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of water deficit (moderate and severe water deficits) on the contents of total and individual polyphenols of the aerial parts. Also, we studied the effect of drought on the antioxidant activity...

This research evaluated the effect of saline conditions on fruit yield, fatty acids, and essential oils compositions and phenolics content of black cumin (Nigella sativa). This plant is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. Increasing NaCl levels to 60 mM decreased significantly the fruits yield by 58% and the total...

Cuminum cyminum L. roots, stems and leaves, and flowers were investigated for their essential oils, total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins contents, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities. The essential oil was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whereas identification and q...

Limoniastrum monopetalum is a traditional medicinal species which leaf infusion exhibits antidysenteric properties against infectious diseases. In this study, ten kinds of leaf extracts were used to examine the effect of extraction solvent system with varying polarities on polyphenol contents and DPPH scavenging activity. Then the superoxide scaven...

Ex vivo antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activities of the essential oil from Tunisian Nigella sativa seeds and its main terpenes (p-cymene, γ-terpinene, thymoquinone, β-pinene, carvacrol, terpinen-4-ol and longifolene) were determined. The essential oil exhibited strong ex vivo antioxidant activity, inhibiting DCFH oxid...

Nigella sativa is an aromatic and medicinal plant which seeds are widely used as spices and natural remedy for number of illness. Salinity is one of the major factors that affect plant growth in Tunisia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of salinity on phenolic production and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa seeds. Results i...

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of seed Borago officinalis essential oil (EO) revealed the presence of 16 volatile components. β-Caryophyllene (26%) and p-cymene-8-ol (19.7%) represented the major components, while nonadecane (0.7%) and hexanol (0.7%) were the minor ones. The EO composition was characterized by higher abundance of oxy...

In the present investigation, methanolic extracts from shoots and roots of Tunisian Nigella sativa were assayed for their antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. The phenolic composition of the methanolic extracts was determined by RP-HPLC. The predominant phenolic compound was vanillic acid with a mean concentration of 143.21 and 89.94 mg per 10...

Tunisian Nigella sativa seeds were studied for their biological activities. Essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, whereas the polyphenolic composition was determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. pcymene (56.8%) was the major compound in the essential oil, while vanilli...

Aims: The responses of two Vitis vinifera cultivars (Cardinal and Superior Seedless) and two rootstocks (110R and SO4) to drought, the effect of grafting and the interactions of scion/rootstock were investigated. Methods and results: The vines were subjected to a progressive water stress in greenhouse controlled conditions. At the end of the water...

Aims: The responses of two Vitis vinifera cultivars (Cardinal and Superior Seedless) and two rootstocks (110R and SO4) to drought, the effect of grafting and the interactions of scion/rootstock were investigated. Methods and results: The vines were subjected to a progressive water stress in greenhouse controlled conditions. At the end of the water...