In the present study, a series of isoxazole derivatives were severally evaluated for their antifungal activity against the yeast Candida albicans and molds such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium oxysporum. The results demonstrate that the isoxazole derivatives exhibit considerable antifungal potential, particularly isoxazole-sulfonate ester 4b (Ar= 4-(Cl)C₆H₄, Ar′= 4-(CH₃)C₆H₄), which was found to be active with significant inhibition zones; the diameters of the C. albicans and F. oxysporum samples were measured at 17.00 ± 0.00 mm and 14.00 ± 0.00 mm, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 4a (Ar= 4-(CH₃)C₆H₄, Ar′= 4-(CH₃)C₆H₄), 4c (Ar: 4-(Cl)C₆H₄, Ar′: 4-(NO₂)C₆H₄) and 4d (Ar: 4-(Cl)C₆H₄, Ar′: 3-(Cl)-2-(OCH₃)C₆H₃) demonstrated MIC and MFC values of 20 µg/mL against C. albicans. In addition, the anti-hemolytic activity of these derivatives was evaluated. Compounds 4a, 4e (Ar: 4-(Cl)C₆H₄, Ar′: 3,4-(OCH₃)₂C₆H₃) and aroylisoxazole 3a (Ar: 4-(CH₃)C₆H₄) demonstrated a high degree of anti-hemolytic activity (>99%) at all concentrations evaluated (10, 15, and 20 mg/mL). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies over 200 ns revealed protein–ligand complexes to have high affinity and stability, which agrees with the experimental results. The compounds 4d, 4e, and 3a have shown significant interaction with the target proteins of C. albicans, A. flavus, and F. oxysporum, respectively. The results have revealed that the major interaction sites are hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and the presence of a water molecule, especially with key residues like TYR_84, ASP_120, SER_90, and THR_89. The crystal structure of compound 4a was also obtained.

An ultrasound-assisted extraction method combined with response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds and evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Ferula communis inflorescence. Response surface methodology with a central composite design was used to optimize the process. As independent variables, ethanol concentration (40–80% v/v), solvent-to-sample ratio (10–40 mL/g), and extraction time (14–30 min) were assessed. A solid-to-liquid ratio of 19 mL/g, a 60% ethanol concentration, and a 23 min extraction duration were the ideal extraction parameters. The extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (IC₅₀) were predicted to be 18.91%, 34.93 mg GAE/g, 18.03 mg QE/g, and 0.58 mg/mL, respectively, under these optimized conditions. The efficacy of the central composite design in optimizing polyphenol extraction from F. communis was validated by experimental results that closely matched the predicted values. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD, with pyrogallol and kaempferol being the most prevalent components. These results suggest that F. communis may represent a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant applications.

Olive oil production is a key agro-food sector in Morocco, with olive cultivation serving as an essential socio-economic pillar. However, the olive milling process generates substantial quantities of biowaste, including olive pomace and olive mill wastewater, posing serious environmental and economic challenges. Ensuring the sustainable management of this waste throughout the olive oil production chain is therefore critical. This study, based on a survey of 855 individuals working in the olive oil industry in the Fez-Meknes region, aims to assess the extraction methods used, the quantity of waste generated, and the waste management practices adopted by local mills. It also explores potential applications and valorization pathways for olive oil by-products, intending to enhance sustainability, increase the value of these residues, and protect the environment. The findings indicate a trend toward modern extraction technologies, often combined with traditional methods to preserve oil quality. Olive oil yield ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on the extraction technique, while waste outputs consist of 40% to 50% solid waste and 50% to 70% liquid effluents. The study highlights promising applications for these by-products, including energy production, composting, and the development of high-value compounds. These alternatives could help reduce the environmental burden of olive mill waste and contribute to a circular bioeconomy. Nevertheless, implementation of efficient reuse and recovery strategies remains a significant challenge and an opportunity for increasing both environmental sustainability and economic returns in the sector.