In Morocco, the abundance of low-value varieties in the oases may provide an opportunity to capitalize on this richness to create new nutraceutical food products. In this context, the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Moroccan date varieties were analyzed. Our results indicate that the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total condensed tannins vary, respectively, from 91.86 to 364.35 mg GAE/100 g of dry weight (DW), 46.59 to 111.80 mg QE/100 g DW and 16.10 to 42.03 mg CE/100 g DW during the 2021 harvest season. Furthermore, during the 2022 harvest season, these contents vary, respectively, from 119.13 to 410.39 mg GAE/100 g DW, 59.30 to 110.85 mg QE/100 g DW and 21.93 to 53.95 mg CE/100 g DW. The results of the HPLC-UV-VIS analysis revealed that, in all four varieties, gallic acid was and remained one of the major compounds in the date extracts. In addition, a high antioxidant activity of date extracts was particularly observed in the three tests, namely ferric reducing power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelating capacity (FIC) and the phosphomolybdate test. This richness in phenolic compounds makes low-value dates a source of active ingredient that can replace the synthetic antioxidants used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

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 (Lab) 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.

The Moroccan date-growing sector is rich in a wide diversity of varieties but faces major challenges, notably the undervaluation of certain varieties intended mainly for animal feed. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the antiglycation activity of four date varieties, including three low-market-value varieties and one high-market-value variety, harvested during two seasons (2021 and 2022). In addition, to improve our knowledge of the antiglycation potential, molecular docking analyses were carried out. The results of the antiglycation activity of the date extracts showed strong activity, particularly for the ‘Khalt Khal’ variety, which showed a 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.83 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In addition, the molecular docking analysis also showed the possible link between the bioactive compounds identified and their mechanisms of action. Our findings suggest new evidence for the antiglycation properties of the bioactive compounds present in dates. These results suggest the use of these varieties as a source of bioactive molecules or as a food additive. This could make it possible to create medicines or food products with a high commercial value using dates, which could help to treat the complications associated with glycation.

This research was aimed to study the lipid fraction of date seeds. Seventeen seeds of date palm varieties and clones were evaluated and assessed for their chemical components and for the properties of the date pits oil. Gas liquid chromatography showed that the main unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid (46.00 - 50.87%), while the main saturated fatty acid was lauric acid (10.11 - 19.03%) for the cultivars Mentouj Tissgharine (MTN) and Bheir Ingli (KBN) respectively; other fatty acids were also identified. The physicochemical characterization showed an acid value ranging from 0.068 to 1.188%, a specific extinction value equal to (K232: 1.350–2.225; K270: 0.318– 0.521), a peroxide value in the interval (1.059–5.618 meq O2/kg) and an iodine value (41.861–59.980 g Iodine/100 g). The pheophytin content of date seed oils was found within the range from 21.855 to 75.685%. The chemical analysis showed that date seed oil can be useful in cosmetic and food products processing.