Temperature and extraction methods effects on yields, fatty acids, and tocopherols of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed oil of eastern region of Morocco.

The present study focuses on the effect of temperature and extraction methods on the yields, chemical quality, fatty acids, and tocopherols of the oil extracted from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica, collected in the eastern region of Morocco. Our results revealed the effect of temperature that when we increase the temperature used, the yields also increase; the results also showed that this high temperature does not affect the physicochemical properties, fatty acids, and tocopherols. Thus, the results of this study revealed that the prickly pear is a rich source of oil; the obtained oil yields varied from 12.

Effects of Physicochemical Variables of Superficial Waters on the Abundance of the North African Freshwater Crab (Bott, 1967).

The large number of pollutants discharged into the aquatic environment may influence the physicochemical and biological qualities of the aquatic ecosystem. This study discloses the global quality of the surface waters and the effect of physicochemical variables on the abundance of the African freshwater crab inhabiting Zegzel watercourse, a mountain stream in the northeast of Morocco. Physicochemical variables including streamflow, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter, chloride, calcium, magnesium, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate, and organic matter were evaluated monthly for one year (October 2017-September 2018).

Mercury, Lead, and Cadmium in the Muscles of Five Fish Species from the Mechraâ-Hammadi Dam in Morocco and Health Risks for Their Consumers.

This study aims to assess the degree of metal contamination (mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)) in the muscles of five species of fish , , , , and , from the Mechraâ-Hammadi Dam between July 2017 and May 2018, and to conduct a risk assessment for human consumers. Trace metals were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for the Pb and the Cd and by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for the Hg. The results gotten from the study of the muscles of the different fish species show that the higher mean amounts of Cd and Hg were determined in , and the maximum mean levels of Pb were detected in .