Effects of physical refining process on quality and stability of argan oil (Argania Spinosa (L.) Skeels).

Subquality argan kernels are 30% cheaper than the regular kernels mandatory used to prepare edible argan oil. The use of these argan kernels for the preparation of argan oil intended to be a cosmetic ingredient, after bleaching and deodorization, is therefore particularly economically appealing. The oxidative stability of Argan oil prepared from subquality kernels is unknown.

Effect of seed's geographical origin on cactus oil physico-chemical characteristics, oxidative stability, and antioxidant activity.

The aim of this study was the valorisation of cactus (or prickly pear, ) seeds growing in six different regions of Morocco. Moisture, proteins, lipids profile, total polyphenols content, oxidative stability, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The Folin-Ciocalteu test highlighted the abundant presence of phenolic compounds (165 to 225 mg EAG/100 g of extract) and a significant antioxidant capacity against DPPH free radicals.

Chemical Composition and Geographic Variation of Cold Pressed Kernel Oil.

With the increasing impacts of climate change, establishing more sustainable and robust plants such as desert dates () seems to be necessary. Known for its resilience in arid conditions, this tree has the potential to become a more important food source, particularly for its potential to yield edible oil. This study characterized kernel oil (BKO) as a promising oil source in arid regions, studying the influence of geographical origin and environmental factors.

Polyacetylenic caffeoyl amides from Ammodaucus leucotrichus.

Six undescribed polyacetylenic caffeoyl amides, five known flavones and three known lignans were obtained from the fruits of the North African traditional medicinal plant Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Durieu (Apiaceae). Isolation was achieved by a combination of chromatographic methods, and structures were established by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electronic circular dichroism, and by GC-MS analysis of sugar derivatives.

Authentication of Argan ( L.) Oil Using Novel DNA-Based Approaches: Detection of Olive and Soybean Oils as Potential Adulterants.

Argan oil is a traditional product obtained from the fruits of the argan tree ( L.), which is endemic only to Morocco. It is commercialized worldwide as cosmetic and food-grade argan oil, attaining very high prices in the international market.

Argan Oil: Chemical Composition, Extraction Process, and Quality Control.

Argan oil is considered a relatively international product exported from Morocco, although different companies in Europe and North America distribute argan oil around the globe. Argan oil is non-refined vegetable oil, of the more well-known "virgin oil" type, is produced from the argan tree [ (L.) Skeels].

Profile of Volatile Aroma-Active Compounds of Cactus Seed Oil () from Different Locations in Morocco and Their Fate during Seed Roasting.

Volatile compounds from oils extracted from cactus seeds () of five regions of Morocco were analyzed by dynamic headspace-GC/MS. Aroma active compounds were characterized by olfactometry. A total of 18 compounds was detected with hexanal, 2-methyl propanal, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetoin and 2,3-butanedione as most abundant.

Characterization of Phenolic Compounds Extracted from Cold Pressed Cactus ( L.) Seed Oil and the Effect of Roasting on Their Composition.

Phenolic compounds extracted from cactus seed oil were identified for the first time by HPLC-ESI-qToF-MS and subsequently quantified by HPLC-DAD. A total of 7 compounds were identified, vanillin, syringaldehyde, and ferulaldehyde were found to be the most abundant ones. The effect of geographical origin and roasting process of cactus seeds was evaluated.

Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactive Properties of Cinnamon Basil ( cv. 'Cinnamon') and Lemon Basil ( ).

The aim of this work was to contribute to the knowledge on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of two species of the genus, namely cultivar 'Cinammon' and . For this purpose, samples of these plants grown in Portugal were evaluated for their composition in phenolic and volatile compounds, and the infusion and hydroethanolic extracts were assessed for their in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In total, the two basil samples showed the presence of seven caffeic acid and derivatives (dimers, trimers, and tetramers) and five flavonoids, mainly glycoside derivatives of quercetin.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Lawsonia inermis Seed Extracts from Morocco.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the composition of Lawsonia inermis (henna) seed oil from Morocco and to evaluate some of its activities in order to use it in cosmetics. Phytosterols are valuable henna-oil constituents, but henna oil does not present any interesting antioxidant activity.

Argania spinosa var. mutica and var. apiculata: variation of fatty-acid composition, phenolic content, and antioxidant and α-amylase-inhibitory activities among varieties, organs, and development stages.

Argania spinosa includes two varieties, var. apiculata and var. mutica.

Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use.

The Aim Of This Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily consumption and/or application of argan oil on skin hydration in postmenopausal women.

Material And Methods: Sixty postmenopausal women consumed butter during the stabilization period and were randomly divided into two groups for the intervention period: the treatment group absorbed alimentary argan oil (n = 30) and the control group olive oil (n = 30). Both groups applied cosmetic argan oil in the left volar forearm during a sixty days' period.

The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity.

Background: During menopause, the decrease of estrogenic secretion induces the disruption of skin functioning, thus causing the decline in skin elasticity characteristic of skin aging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in postmenopausal women the effect of daily consumption and/or application of argan oil on skin elasticity.

Materials And Methods: Sixty postmenopausal women consumed butter during the stabilization period and were randomly divided into two groups for the intervention period: the treatment group of 30 participants received dietary argan oil, the control group of 30 participants received olive oil, and both groups applied cosmetic argan oil in the left volar forearm during a 60-day period.

Oxidative stability of cosmetic argan oil: a one-year study.

The objective of this work is to determine the chemical stability of cosmetic argan oil (INCI: Argania spinosa kernel oil). The methodology involves the repeated measurement over a 1-year period of the quality metrics used in the cosmetic industry: acid and peroxide value and specific absorbance. During this year, storage is performed at 40° or 25°C to assess the importance of temperature.

Argan oil and postmenopausal Moroccan women: impact on the vitamin E profile.

Vitamin E supplements could be beneficial for postmenopausal women. To evaluate the effect of edible argan oil consumption on the antioxidant status of postmenopausal women, the vitamin E serum level of 151 menopausal women consuming either olive or argan oil was determined. Serum level of vitamin E was increased in the argan oil consumer group.

Triterpenoids from Argania spinosa: 20 years of research.

During the last two decades, the argan tree has been the subject of intensive phytochemical investigation. If argan oil is the most known argan derivative, argan saponins are frequently considered as molecules presenting a strong economic potential. This review presents an update of the current research efforts on argan saponins from around the world.

Volatile compound formation during argan kernel roasting.

Virgin edible argan oil is prepared by cold-pressing argan kernels previously roasted at 110 degrees C for up to 25 minutes. The concentration of 40 volatile compounds in virgin edible argan oil was determined as a function of argan kernel roasting time. Most of the volatile compounds begin to be formed after 15 to 25 minutes of roasting.

Chemical changes in extra virgin argan oil after thermal treatment.

Physicochemical parameters, measured every 6 hours, of extra virgin argan oil heated for 24 h at 180 degrees C were investigated and compared with those of five other edible oils treated in the same thermoxidative condition. Argan oil was found to be particularly stable at high temperature, its level of polar compounds remaining low even after 24 h of heating.

Can fruit-form be a marker for argan oil production?

Deforestation is an important matter for the argan forest whose preservation necessitates planting trees. Macroscopic parameters are urgently needed to identify trees presenting good potential as oil producers. This study demonstrates that argan oil produced from kernels of apiculate fruit is richer in d-tocopherol, whereas oil produced from spherical fruit is richer in linoleic acid, and that produced from fusiform fruit is richer in oleic acid.

Can the dietary element content of virgin argan oils really be used for adulteration detection?

Levels of eight dietary elements were assessed by ICP-AES in virgin edible and beauty argan oil samples prepared from four remote locations of the argan forest, and over a three-year period. The data showed sufficiently little variability to assess that all argan oil samples present, in terms of dietary elements, a similar composition, independently from the tree location within the argan forest. Therefore, adulteration detection by trace element analysis in edible and beauty argan oil is a method that can be generalised.

The origin of virgin argan oil's high oxidative stability unraveled.

To prepare either virgin edible or beauty argan oil, roasted or unroasted argan kernels are cold-pressed, respectively. Comparing the physicochemical parameters of edible and beauty argan oil immediately after preparation and after a two-year delay has led to the suggestion that phospholipids are a new and essential type of oil component participating in the excellent oxidative stability of edible argan oil, in addition to the already suggested Maillard-reaction products, phenols, and tocopherols.

Influence of argan kernel roasting-time on virgin argan oil composition and oxidative stability.

Virgin argan oil, which is harvested from argan fruit kernels, constitutes an alimentary source of substances of nutraceutical value. Chemical composition and oxidative stability of argan oil prepared from argan kernels roasted for different times were evaluated and compared with those of beauty argan oil that is prepared from unroasted kernels. Prolonged roasting time induced colour development and increased phosphorous content whereas fatty acid composition and tocopherol levels did not change.