The present study aims to study the chemical composition of the essential oils from needles of three pine species: Pinus halepensis Mill., P. pinaster Aiton. and P. pinea L., and the evaluation of their in vitro anti-radical and antibacterial properties. GC-MS analysis showed that the essential oils were characterized by the abundance of monoterpene hydrocarbons (61.55-86.72 %). α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpinolene, α-fenchene, and β-caryophyllene were the most plentiful components in P. halepensis. Limonene, α-pinene, and β-caryophyllene were particularly abundant in P. pinea and P. pinaster essential oils. The strongest DPPH-radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 73.03 μg/mL) was observed for the limonene-rich essential oils of P. pinea. The three essential oils were effective against the Gram+ bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes and the Gram- bacteria Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. These results suggest that P. halepensis, P. pinaster, and P. pinea could constitute a consolidated source of natural bioactive ingredients with anti-radical and antimicrobial properties.

Prunus avium is a component of the biodiversity in the forest ecosystems: its fruits are consumed by a large number of birds, its quality of the wood and its premature blooming confer it a big esthetic value. Multipurpose tree, it is present in the forest of Kroumirie in the Northwest of Tunisia. In this region, Prunus avium is a species exploited as a stock for cherry trees and ash wood for the cabinetmaking by the local populations. The natural populating, in constant decrease since a few decades, is threatened by diverse anthropogenic, getting more and more stronger pressures, reducing the capacities of natural regeneration of the species. The study of the ecological housing environment is essential to have a good knowledge of the ecology of such species to determine the conditions in which it develops and to set up appropriate rules of management. Indeed, Prunus avium prefers the lemon-clayey grounds, rich in nitrogen and with a relationship C/N lower than 10. The grounds which it prefers are of acid PH (4.3-6.7). According to the obtained results, such species resists well enough in lower temperatures (T min = 3°C) and is very sensitive to the summer drought (T max = 24°C). At the level of Kroumirie, the presence of Prunus avium is rare below 150 m of height, while it is regularly found in cliff- nesting situation, between 180 and 620 m, with a maximum near 550 m. The obtained results show that such species has an affinity for the lower slopes (0- 10 %). Our results allow formulating relative recommendations on the valuation of Prunus avium: practise plantations of this species at the level of the most preferable stations for the production of the wood and the stock for the culture of the cherry tree in the Northwest of Tunisia. Keywords: Tunisia, Prunus avium, central housing environment, marginal housing environment, environmental factors. RésuméPrunus avium est une composante de la biodiversité dans les écosystèmes forestiers: ses fruits sont consommés par de nombreux oiseaux, sa qualité du bois et sa floraison précoce lui confèrent une grande valeur esthétique. Arbre à usages multiples, il est présent dans la forêt de la Kroumirie au nord-ouest de la Tunisie. Dans cette région, Prunus avium est une espèce exploitée comme porte-greffe pour le cerisier et comme bois pour l’ébénisterie par les populations locales. Les peuplements naturels, en constante diminution depuis quelques dizaines d’années, sont menacés par diverses pressions anthropiques, de plus en plus fortes, réduisant les capacités de régénération naturelle de l’espèce. L’étude de l’habitat écologique est indispensable pour disposer d’une bonne connaissance de l’autoécologie de cette espèce afin de déterminer les conditions dans lesquelles elle se développe et de mettre en place des règles appropriées de gestion. En effet, Prunus avium préfère les sols limono-argileux, riches en azote et avec un rapport C/N inférieur à 10. Les sols qu’il préfère sont de pH acides (4,3 à 6,7). D’après les résultats obtenus, cette espèce résiste assez bien au froid (Tmin = 3°C) et est très sensible à la sécheresse estivale (Tmax = 24°C). Au niveau de la Kroumirie, la présence de Prunus avium est rare au-dessous de 150 m d’altitude, alors qu’on le trouve régulièrement en situation ripicole, entre 180 et 620 m, avec un maximum aux alentours de 550 m. Les résultats obtenus montrent que cette espèce a une affinité pour les pentes faibles (0-10%). Nos résultats permettent de formuler des recommandations relatives sur la valorisation de Prunus avium : pratiquer des plantations de cette espèce au niveau des stations les plus favorables pour la production du bois et de porte-greffe pour la culture du cerisier au nord-ouest de la Tunisie. Mots clés : Tunisie, Prunus avium, habitat central, habitat marginal, facteurs environnementaux.

This paper aimed to investigate and analyse the diametric and spatial distribution of Prunus avium populations in Tunisia. This study may help us document better information about the ecological processes and its functioning. Dendrometric and ecological data were collected on four square plots of an area of 1 ha each within two forests, Tabarka and Ain Draham, in northwest Tunisia. The results presented in this work show that P. avium individuals present a diametrical structure in the form of an "inverted J" translated by the dominance of the seedlings compared to the other classes. The analysis of the spatial distribution shows that wild cherry is identified by its aggregates and variable size (approximately 5 m and 20 m). It is coherent with the mode of vegetative propagation by suckering and the dispersal of fruits by birds. This investigation opens insight into other species to ensure good sustainable management of natural resources.

Background: This ethnobotanical study aimed to promote the rare medicinal plant Prunus avium from Jendouba region in northwestern Tunisia and to collect general information regarding its therapeutic applications. Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among rural populations and herbalists in the three areas (Tabarka, Ain Draham, and Ghardimaou) using a questionnaire on Prunus avium. Following the conclusion of the fieldwork, the collected information was processed. It was then sorted and structured into a matrix using XLSTAT software, which enabled the creation of graphs and tables. Results: The data collected shows that Prunus avium, also known as wild cherry, is widely used in the region. In fact, the research conducted in these three areas showed that it was mainly recommended for its anti-inflammatory (23%), diuretic (20.9%), sleep-promoting (16.1%), relief from osteoarthritis (15%), and cholesterol-lowering properties (15%). Respondents also indicated that the leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts, with 68% and 32%, respectively. Also, decoction (25.55%), fruit juice (23.53%), infusion (21.87%), and compress (20.65%) were generally mentioned. Conclusion: This work serves as a valuable source of information for pharmacological research, providing a foundation for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of Prunus avium. It emphasizes the effective transmission of knowledge regarding the applications and beneficial effects of wild cherries from one generation to the next. Keywords: Prunus avium, ethnobotanical survey, method of preparation, therapeutic uses, northwestern Tunisia.

Cherry (Prunus valium (L.) Rosaceae) is native to Europe, Afghanistan and North Africa. Its native range extends from the British Isles to Morocco and Tunisia down south, to the region of Norway in the north, the Caucasus in the east and northern Iran, Anatolia, Maghreb, and Western Asia in the west. There is also a small, isolated population located in the western Himalaya. The plant has been extensively farmed in other parts of the world and is now native to Australia, New Zealand, and North America. This species is exploited in forestry for its quality of wood. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of cherry wood and to investigate the influence of growth sites to provide value-added assessment pathways. The study was carried out within the Tabarka and Ain Draham stations. In each site, we selected 75 dominant P. avium specimens. The dendrometric characteristics, the observations of the degree of infection, the straightness of the stems, and the physico-mechanical properties were studied. The result of the statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the dendrometric parameters according to the stations. The results obtained showed that 66% of the trees inventoried in Tabarka have straight stems. The number of trees affected by rot varies according to the stations, with 44% in Ain Draham. The rate of decay varies with age, so most infected trees are old (diameter at breast height > 30 cm). The wood is characterized by a density of 627 to 629 kg/m³ and is classified as medium hardwood with a Monnin hardness of approximately 4.3. Moreover, the values of the static bending breaking stress and the axial compression vary respectively from 94.95 to 99.85 MPa and from 44.5 to 51.7 MPa. These values vary according to the sources and have a significant effect at the 1% level. Accordingly, we classify cherry wood as having moderate strength. Cherry was cultivated for its noble uses such as interior carpentry and cabinet making as an excellent alternative to very expensive precious woods. Thus, in order to improve the condition of the trees, careful monitoring of the plantations must be carried out.Cherry was cultivated for its noble uses such as interior carpentry and cabinet making as an excellent alternative to very expensive precious woods. Thus, in order to improve the condition of the trees, careful monitoring of the plantations must be carried out.

In Vitro Conservation of Prunus Avium, an Endangered Species in Tunisia, Using a Plant Extract of Rubus Fruticosus Compared to Indole-3-Butyric Acid