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Identification and comparison of volatile components of fruits of eight Moroccan date varieties.Abstract --Introduction. The identification of the volatile components of dates makes it possible to assess their organoleptic quality. This information is of technological interest to the agro-industrialists for processing dates and producing flavour extracts from low quality varieties, thereby increasing their commercial value. Our study aimed to identify the volatile components responsible for the flavour of eight varieties of Moroccan dates. A statistical classification of the varieties, based on their aromatic profiles, and a comparison with the results of previous work on the date flavour components were also carried out. Materials and methods. The volatile components were extracted by the dynamic headspace method and microwave desorption, and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The data were analysed by simple correspondence analysis and hierarchic classification. Results and discussion. Forty-seven components were identified, of which 23 have not been found before in dates. Five components were found in all the varieties: 2,3-pentanedione, 2-methyl-butanal, hexanal, n-pentanol and limonene, while some varieties presented specific compounds. For instance, the Aziza variety was distinguished from the others by the presence of cyclobutanol, p-cymene and 1,3-dimethyl-benzene. Cyclopentadecadien-1-one, ethanol and geraniol were identified in the varieties Najda, Mejhoul and Boufeggous, respectively. The Bouskri and Iklane varieties were characterised by highly similar volatile profiles. Conclusion. Differences in the aromatic profiles of eight Moroccan date varieties were determined and the specific volatile components identified.Morocco / Phoenix dactylifera / varieties / fruits / volatile compounds / aroma (organoleptic property) Identification et comparaison des composés volatils des fruits de huit variétés de dattes marocaines.Résumé --Introduction. L'identification des composés d'arôme des dattes permet d'apprécier leur qualité organoleptique ; elle revêt en outre un intérêt technologique en guidant les industriels dans certains processus de transformation du fruit et de production d'extraits d'arômes à partir des variétés de faible qualité, augmentant ainsi leur valeur marchande. Notre étude a eu pour objectif d'identifier des composés volatils responsables de l'arôme de huit variétés de dattes marocaines. Une classification statistique des variétés étudiées, basée sur leurs profils aromatiques, et une comparaison avec les résultats de travaux antérieurs effectués sur les composés d'arôme des dattes ont été également réalisées. Matériel et méthodes. Les composés volatils ont été analysés par la technique de piégeage dynamique de l'espace de tête et par désorption au micro-onde, puis ils ont été conjointement identifiés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse-spectrométrie de masse. L'étude statistique des données a été réalisée par analyse factorielle des correspondances et par classification hié...

Pomegranate seeds (Punica granatum L.) are quantitatively and qualitatively a relevant agri-food by-product which is rich in molecules beneficial to human health. In order to valorize this resource, this study aims to evaluate and to compare, for the first time, the characteristics of fruit seeds and seed oils of ten pomegranate cultivars grown in the Center of Morocco. Physical and biometric parameters of seeds, fatty acid composition, physicochemical criteria, and antioxidant activity of seed oils were determined. The results showed significant differences between the ten studied cultivars. The seeds yielded oil contents ranging from 17.59% to 24.69% and presented high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exceeding 89%. The major fatty acid was punicic acid, which represented more than 80% of fatty acids, while other fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid could be considered a minority. Oils showed yellow colour due to the contents of chlorophyll (0.12–1.87 mg/kg) and pheophytin (0.39–3.87 mg/kg) and presented high antioxidant activity (IC50: 0.69–1.80 mg/mL). Therefore, the studied pomegranate seeds had a very good oil yield, and these oils have presented an optimal fatty acid composition and high levels of antioxidant activity. Thus, they could be useful in the formulation of novel foods or used as preservatives and functional components in food industry.

Apricot is among the most important fruits in Morocco. This study aimed to determine the main physical, physicochemical, and biochemical quality criteria of three principal apricot cultivars in Morocco, namely, “Maoui,” “Canino,” and “Delpatriarca.” Different physicochemical and biochemical methods have been improved and adapted for the assessment of the apricot’s quality. Fruit of “Canino” has shown a good organoleptic quality due to interesting biometrics, richness of carotenoids (up to 113.67 μg of β-carotene g−1 of fresh weight (FW)), and an important content of soluble solids (SS) that reached 17.20 °Bx. “Delpatriarca” is rich in organic acids (27.35 g/kg FW for total acids) while “Maoui” has high water content (83.77%) and a SS content of 16.03 °Bx. The association of the total acidity and soluble solids determination with the use of the HPLC for determining the organic acids was very practical and effective in determining the organoleptic quality of the fruit. High correlations were detected between several attributes. In addition, an important relationship between total carotenoids concentration and color parameters (L ∗ a ∗ b ∗ ) demonstrated that these parameters are good for apricot quality and ripening indices. The obtained results also revealed the presence of a high variability among the quality criteria of the three apricot cultivars. These characteristics could be useful for promoting the consumption of the “Maoui” as fresh fruits and the use of “Canino” and “Delpatriarca” for industry derivatives products. The results could also be useful for new apricot breeding program among different eco-geographical groups of the Mediterranean region.