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Introduction. In northern Algeria, various pomegranate cultivars (Punica granatum L.) are produced in the region of Mitidja. However, to date, no study has been published on the characteristics of the locally grown cultivars. The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the fruit of three local pomegranate cultivars. Materials and methods. Our study focused on a comparison of the cultivars 'Doux de Koléa', 'Doux de Messaad' and 'Bordj Mira 11', obtained at harvest maturity from the Experimental Station of the ITAFV in the village of Boufarik in the southwest of Algiers, October 2013. A morphological characterization of the fruit, peel and arils was carried out. Some physicochemical characteristics of the juice, including the total soluble solids, pH, acidity, maturity index, total sugar and juice yield, were assessed. Results and discussion. Fruit weight ranged from 194 to 297 g and aril weight from 270 to 280 mg. Similarly, the peel thickness of the fruit ranged between 2.50 and 3.00 mm, while the pH recorded was 3.84−4.60. Total soluble solids ranged from 12.87 to 18.64 • Brix and titratable acidity ranged between 0.31 g 100 mL −1 and 0.50 g 100 mL −1 in pomegranate juices. Vitamin C and total soluble sugar contents were in the range of 9.08−15.74 and 11.33−16.33 g 100 mL −1 , respectively. The comparison of our results with other studies reveals that Algerian pomegranate fruit has juice and peel physicochemical characteristics that could play a valuable role in people's diet and health. Conclusion. This work provides original data about the composition of pomegranate fruit from Algeria (vitamin C, protein, total sugar content, etc.). It demonstrates that indigenous cultivars can be a good source of different nutrients for the local population. Keywords: Algeria / pomegranate / Punica granatum / indigenous cultivars / morphological characteristics / physicochemical characteristics / fruit juice Résumé-Caractéristiques morphologiques et physico-chimiques de trois cultivars de grenade (Punica granatum L.) du nord de l'Algérie. Introduction. Plusieurs cultivars de grenade (Punica granatum L.) sont utilisés en production au nord de l'Algérie et en particulier dans la région de Mitidja. Cependant à ce jour aucune étude n'a été publiée sur les caractéristiques de ces cultivars. L'objectif de cette étude est d'étudier les caractéristiques morphologiques et physico-chimiques des fruits de trois de ces cultivars de grenade cultivés localement. Matériel et méthodes. Notre étude a porté sur la comparaison des fruits des cvs 'Doux de Koléa', 'Doux de Messaad' et 'Bordj Mira 11' récoltés au stade de maturité dans la station expérimentale de l'ITAFV, dans le village de Boufarik au sud-ouest d'Alger, en octobre 2013. La caractérisation morphologique des fruits, écorces et arilles, a été réalisée. Les caractéristiques physico-chimiques du jus de ces fruits ont été évaluées : les solides solubles totaux, le pH, l'acidité, l'indice de maturité, les sucres totaux, ...

Legume seeds are known to be a source of protein, vitamins, essential organic minerals and fatty acids. Their high protein content makes them a valuable natural and inexpensive alternative to the soybean. Seeds fatty acids of genotypes belonging to nine Vicia L. taxa collected in Algeria were extracted by Soxhlet and their composition was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled with FIame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). In order to assess phylogenetic relationships between taxa on intra and interspecific levels, fatty acids profiles were used as a chemotaxonomic marker. Oil yields were between 0.67 and 2.40%. A total of 27 fatty acids were identified, varying from 9 to 20 compounds. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids varies from 70.67 to 91.749% where the linloleic acid is predominant. While the saturated fatty acids content is between 8.60 and 29.33% with the predominance of palmitic acid. Our results demonstrate the quality of the genotypes, which contain fatty acids of great nutritional interests. Indeed, Omega 3- fatty acids, which rate can reach 12.187% in our taxa, are Poly UnSaturated Fatty Acids associated with many health benefits, such us cardiovascular ones. Indeed, the results demonstrate the nutritional quality of obtained oils and opens up perspectives to explore other compounds. Finally, the hierarchical classification revealed two major clusters where the taxonomic boundaries of the genus are well defined at subgeneric and sectional levels. It is also an important step to suggest the species as a new industrial crop for the animal feed and production of proteins and oils widely used in food industries