Conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan flora (monocotyledons)

Morocco constitutes an important centre of plant diversity and speciation in the Mediterranean Basin. However, numerous species are threatened by issues ranging from human activities to global climatic change. In this study, we present the conservation assessments and Red Listing of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and categories. For each species, we include basic taxonomic information, local names and synonyms, uses, a distribution map, extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, population size and trend, a description of habitats and ecological requirements, and a discussion of the threats affecting the species and habitats. We assessed the threatened status of the endemic Moroccan monocotyledons at the species level (59 species) using the IUCN Red List criteria and categories (Version 3.1). This study shows the high extinction risk to the Moroccan monocotyledon flora, with 95% of threatened species (20% Critically Endangered, 50% Endangered, 25% Vulnerable) and only 5% not threatened (2% Near Threatened and 3% Least Concern). The flora is thus of conservation concern, which is poorly recognized, both nationally and internationally. The study presents the first part and so far the only national IUCN Red Data List for a large group of Moroccan plants, and thus provides an overview of the threatened Moroccan flora. This IUCN Red List is an important first step towards the recognition of the danger to Moroccan biodiversity hotspots, conservation of threatened species and the raising of public awareness at national and international levels

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oil of Moroccan <i>Tetraclinis articulata</i> (Vahl) Masters

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil isolated from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) leaves, Masters originating in Morocco (Benslimane Region, Atlantic-influenced plain). The analysis of the major compounds of essential oil was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and this oil is dominated by bornyl acetate (35.05%), camphor (11.17%), and α-pinene (10.84%). The antioxidant properties were evaluated by the test of the radical trap 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the antimicrobial activity of T. articulata essential oil was tested against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli which have been inhibited from the 25 μg/mL.</jats:p

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oil of Moroccan Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil isolated from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) leaves, Masters originating in Morocco (Benslimane Region, Atlantic-influenced plain). The analysis of the major compounds of essential oil was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and this oil is dominated by bornyl acetate (35.05%), camphor (11.17%), and α-pinene (10.84%). The antioxidant properties were evaluated by the test of the radical trap 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the antimicrobial activity of T. articulata essential oil was tested against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli which have been inhibited from the 25 μg/mL

Influence of ecological conditions on some secondary metabolites variations in Moroccan Juniperus thurifera stands

The aim of this work is to study the influence of ecological conditions on some secondary metabolites (phenols and flavonoïds) in 14 Juniperus thurifera stands collected from the High and the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Total phenol and flavonoïd contents were determined spectophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts was examined by DPPH method. The total phenol contents ranged from 137 mg GAE/g DW (in Bouiblan) to 191 mg GAE/g DW (in Tizrag). The total flavonoïd contents ranged from 11 mg QE/g (in Bouiblan) to 28 mg QE/g (in Tizrag). The highest antioxidant activity was noticed in Tizrag and the lowest was noticed in Bouiblan. These results showed a positive correlation between phenols, flavonoïds and antioxidant activity. Comparison between the Middle and the High Atlas stands showed significant differences between stands. The Middle Atlas stands are statistically close but those of the High Atlas are statistically different

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the methanolic extracts of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia echinus

Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia echinus are Moroccan endemic plants that are used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. The aim of this research is to study the phenolic compounds content, the antioxidant and the antibacterial activities of two Euphorbiaceae species: Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia echinus, which were collected in Béni-Mellal and Agadir regions, respectively. The current study involved determining the concentration of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins of our spieces using spectrophotometry. To test the antioxidant activity of the two methanolic extracts, the DPPH° technique was used.Also, the antibacterial activity against three microorganisms was tested in vitro. The quantification of phenolic compounds revealed that Euphorbia resiniferamethanolic extract had the highest concentration of phenolics. The methanolic extract of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia echinus showed a higher antioxidant activity than Ascorbic acid.The antibacterial analysis showed a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. Our extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. In contrast, it had no inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli

The effect of Enteromorpha intestinalis and Corallina elongata on physiological parameters of Zea mays L.

Purpose: Algae are living organisms capable of photosynthesis and live mainly in an aquatic environment (marine or freshwater), and considered as plants like those growing on the soil. It can therefore be used to enrich the soil in organic matter, and mineral elements, as for composting green waste, for example. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of marine macroalgae Enteromorpha intestinalis (Ulvophycae) and Corallina elongata (Corallinacae) as biofertilizers on the growth of Zea mays L. Method: After rinsing, the algae were ground into a fine powder. The powder obtained from each seaweed was divided into two batches. For the first batch, the seaweed powder (AP), was used directly in the pots one week before planting. Two concentrations, 5% and 10%, were studied. The second batch was used to prepare liquid algal fertilizer (ALF). To determine the mineral composition of each seaweed, X-ray fluorescence analysis was performed. the biofertilizing potential of Enteromorpha intestinalis and Corallina elongata was studied on corn plants, evaluating the effect of these two algae at different growth stages (15, 25, 45 and 60 days) and the chlorophyll a and b content. Results: The elemental analysis of the two algae by X-ray Fluorescence shows that the main elements are water, chlorine, potassium, calcium, silicon, natrium, magnesium, iron and sulfur. The results show that E.intestinalis is richer in minerals compared to C.elongata, except for Strontium and calcium, where C.elongata is more rich. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the macroalgae Enteromorpha intestinalis and Corallina elongata from the Atlantic coast of Morocco are valuable biofertilizers. On the other hand, the application of seaweed extract is more effective than the application of seaweed powder, and Enteromorpha intestinalis can affect the growth parameters at a low concentration (5%), unlike Corallina elongata. The different positive roles of algae in agriculture should be clarified, as our results showed that they can be used as an excellent fertilizer.</jats:p