Sminaire international

Les Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales

SIPAM 2009
Jerba (Tunisie) 26 - 28 mars 2009

Cette manifestation a t organise par lIRA, lICARDA, lIRESA, lISHS et avec lappui du
Ministre de lAgriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, le Ministre de lEnseignement Suprieur,
de la Recherche Scientifique et de la Technologie et le Ministre de lEnvironnement et du
Dveloppement Durable.
 TEXTES COMPILES PAR
Pr. Mohamed NEFFATI Pr. Mohamed Moncef HARRABI
Chef du Laboratoire dEcologie Pastorale Professeur lInstitut National Agronomique
Institut des Rgions Arides 4119 Mdenine - Tunisie de Tunisie, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle 1082 Tunis-
Mahrajne TUNISIE
Azaeiz OULED BERLGACEM Mlle Hanan NAJJAA
Chercheur - Laboratoire dEcologie Pastorale Doctorante - Institut des Rgions Arides
Institut des Rgions Arides 4119 Mdenine - Tunisie 4119 Mdenine - Tunisie
Sad FADHLI Impression : Mabrouk LANOUAR
Administrateur Conseiller - Institut des Rgions Adjoint Technique - Institut des Rgions Arides
Arides 4119 Mdenine - Tunisie 4119 Mdenine - Tunisie

ORGANISATION DU SEMINAIRE
Le sminaire international : les Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales, SIPAM 2009 a t organis par :
Institut des Rgions Arides (IRA)
Laboratoire dEcologie Pastorale (LEP)
Route du Djorf, Km 22.5 Mdenine Tunisie
Tl. 216 75 633 005 Fax 216 75 633 006
E-mail : ira.med@ira.rnrt.tn
Web : www.ira.rntn
Institution de la Recherche et de lEnseignement
Suprieur Agricoles - IRESA
30 Rue Alain Savary1002 Tunis Belvdre -
Tl. 216 71 798 244 Fax 216 71 796 170
iresa.agrinet.tn
International Center for Agricultural Research
in the Dry Ares (ICARDA)
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic
Tel: (963-21) 2213433/2225012/2225112
Fax: (963-21)2213490
E-mail: icarda@CGIAR.ORG
International Society for Horticultural Sciences
PO Box 500, 3001 Leuven 1, Belgium

AVEC LAPPUI DE
- Ministre de lAgriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques
- Ministre de lEnseignement Suprieur de la Recherche Scientifique et de la Technologie ;
- Ministre de lEnvironnement et du Dveloppement Durable.

COMITE DORGANISATION

NEFFATI M. Mme ZAMMOUTI Gh. LTIFI M. B.A.

BEN AMOR R. BEN SALEM F. CHOUIKHI M.
AKROUT A. ZEMZEMI J. TLIG S.
OULED BELGACEM A. BEN ABED M.A. MCHAREK A.
Mlle NAJJAA H. LOUHICHI M. Mlle YAHYA B.
KARDI A. LATRACH M. BEN ARFA A.

COMITE SCIENTIFIQUE
ABEDRRABBA M. (DG-ISET Tunisia)
AKRIMI N. (INAT Tunis)
AOUNI M. (FPh Monastir)
AUGER J. (CNRS France)
AYADI H. (CBS Sfax)
AYED N. (INSAT-Tunis)
BEN CHIBANI J. (FPh Monastir)
BOUDABBOUS A. (FS Tunis)
BOUSSAID M. (INSAT Tunis)
CASANOVA J . (UCCP la Corse France)
CRAKER Lyle (UMASS, Amehrst, USA)
DAMMAK M. (FS Sfax)
EL MOURID M. (ICARDA Tunis)
FATTOUCH S. (INSAT Tunis)
FEREIRA J. (ARS USDA USA)
GHRIR R. (MERST Tunis)
HAMMAMI M. (FM Monastir)
HENCHI B. (INRAP Tunis)
KHATTELI H. (IRA Medenine)
KHEMIRA H. (ISBAM Medenine)
KSOURI M. (Borj Cedria Tunisie)
LASRAM M. (Expert Tunisie)
MAAMER M. (Expert France)
MARS M (ISA Chott Marien Tunisie)
MATHE Akos (Univer. West Hungary)
MIGHRI Z. (FSM Monastir)
Mme AMMAR E. (ENIS Sfax)
Mme BEN BRAHIM N. (INRAT Tunis)
Mme BEN HAMIDA J. (ISSBAT Tunis)
Mme GHRABI Z. (INAT Tunis)
Mme SMITI S. (FS Tunis)
Mme KECHRID Ch. (FM Sousse)
MOUGOU A. (IRESA Tunis)
MULLER S. (LIEBE CNRS France)
NEFFATI M. (IRA Mdenine)
OUEDERNI A. (ENIG Gabs)
OULED BELGACEM A. (IRA Mdenine)
REJEB M.N. (INGREF Tunis)
SGHAIER M. (IRA Mdenine)
SIMON Ph. (ARS-USDA-USA)
YAHIA E. (Mexique)
Ce numro spcial ne comprend quun nombre limit de
communications prsentes dans le cadre du sminaire
international : Les Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009. Les autres communications ont t
publies dans la revue Acta Horticulturae n853.

_____________________________________

This special issue includes only a limited number of

communications presented in the framework of SIPAM
2009. The others were published in the review Acta
Horticulturae n853.
 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
In recent years, the demand for medicinal and
aromatic plants (MAPs) is significantly increasing
all over the world due to the increase of the
conscience towards the undesirable effects of
chemical drugs and the back to the natural products.
Moreover, the use of MAPs products becomes
increasingly important in food and cosmetic
industries.
MAPs represent a promising sector for rural
development and livelihood improvement of the poor
communities mainly in the Near East and North
Africa region because of their higher water use
efficiency, relatively higher economic return per unit
area compared to traditional crops as well as their
potential add value through processing and
marketing.
Uncontrolled over-exploitation of wild plants in
trade, their habitat-loss and alteration are the main
reasons why medicinal plants, their study,
evaluation, utilization and conservation have become
essentials of the programs of national and
international organizations such as IUCN, WWF,
IFAD and ICARDA. These organizations agreed that
a coordinated approach at a national or
international level is necessary to conserve the large
number of species used by man, which are at risk of
extinction.
However, cultivation and marketing of MAPs are
constrained by several obstacles that hinder full
exploitation of this potential. The main constraints
include the lack of innovative measures and the
sustainable utilization of MAPs; lack of appropriate
technologies for collection and processing;
marketing; quality control, certification; etc.
Growing MAPs and their exploitation in
pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other types of
processing industry belong to the most significantly
developing fields in many countries of the world,
which generates lively interest in natural products.
Enlarging scientific knowledge will help facilitate the
progress of this field in the future.
While these limitations are not difficult to identify,
much more efforts are needed to analyse them and
find means to address them. In an effort to better
understand the functioning and the status of the
MAPs sector including its potential for sustainable
rural poverty reduction, IRA with support from
ICARDA, ISHS, USDA-ARS, IFAD and other
national and international organizations, organize
the third international symposium on MAPs: SIPAM
2009.
Placed under the supervision of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Water Resources, the symposium is
organized by the Range Ecology Laboratory /
Institut des Rgions Arides (IRA) and the Institution
of Agricultural Research and Higher Education
(IRESA) Tunisia and the International Centre of
Agricultural Research in Dry Areas / North Africa
Regional Program (ICARDA/NARP), the
International Horticultural Society for Science
(ISHS), the USDA/ARS, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other
national and international institutions and
organisations. It is held at Jerba (Tunisia) at March
26-28, 2009.
The workshop brings together all partners concerned
with medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs): leading
scientists, decision makers, regulatory officials,
industry leaders, pharmacists, medecins, promoters
and public interest group representatives (NGOs,
etc.).
 SOMMAIRE

Agro-ecobiology of MAPs

-Botanical and Chemical Study of Algerian Thyme (Thymus algeriensis) (AMROUNE A.;
LAREDJ H. AMROUNI R. ; MECHERI R. ; OUNAISSIA K. and DALIA F.) 9
-Chemical Variability in Andrographis paniculata (ARCHANA P.R ; PAREEK S.K. and
KUMAR A.) 15
-Evaluation of Yield and Essence of (Cuminum cyminum L.) when Seeds Inoculated with
Azospirillum Strains and Coated with Microelements (B. MIRSHEKARI and A.
MIRMOZAFFARI 19
-Les Plantes Mellifres de Quelques Rgions du Nord-est Algrien: Inventaire et Etude
Palynologique (BOUZEBDA A., MANAMANI M. ; BOUGHDIRI L. et CHEFROUR A.) 23
-Contribution to the Study of the Ecology of Some Medicinal Plants of Ouennougha Forest
(Massif of Biban ) Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria) (Ch. REGOUI) 29
-Effects of Sowing Dates and Planting Patterns on Phenology and Yield of Cumin (Cuminum
cyminum) (F. Farahvash ; B. MIRSHEKARI and A. FARAMARZI) 37
-The Toxic Mushrooms in East Algerian (OUNAISSIA K.; LAREDJ H.; DJAFFER R.;
BENBAKHA A.K.; MEGGEDEM M.; AMROUNE A .K. and MECHRI R) 41
-Studying the Effects of Different Rates of N and K on the Yield and Quality of Berberry
Trees (S. REZAEIAN, A. MOGHREY, A. MOKHTARIAN and A. HOSSEINIROD) 47
-Effect of Osmotic Stress (PEG 6000) on Final Germination Percentage and Median Germina-
tion Time of Plantago albicans (S. TALBI ; A. FERCHICHI ; M. DEBOUBA and E. LEFI) 51

-Genetics of Yield, Horticultural Traits and Downy Mildew Resistance in Bittergourd

(Momordica charantia l.) (V. BAHADUR ; D.B. SINGH ; B.G. SURESH and D. RAM) 55

Extraction: procedures, analysis and chemistry of natural

Compounds
-Characterisation of Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Juices Obtained from Common Varieties
Grown in Tunisia (N. CHAIRA, A. MRABET, H. MTAOUA, B. LACHIHEB and A.
FERCHICHI) 69
-Dtermination des Conditions Optimales dExtraction et Analyses des Huiles Essentielles
dEucalyptus salubris : Etude Quantitative et Qualitative (NEJIA H., RAWDHA G.,
NACEUR H., MEHREZ R.) 77
-Essential Oil Constituents of Rhizome Oil of Alpinia Species from South India (ARCHANA
P.R.; WALIA S. ; ABRAHAM Z. and MISHRA S. K.) 85
-Physical Chemistry Analysis of Four Plants : Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon,
Thyme (MECHERI R. , LAREDJ.H , OUNAISSIA.K, AMROUNE.A,) 89
-Structure Elucidation of Stilbenes Oligomers from the Grapevine Vitis vinifera L. Stems
(GUEBAILIA A. H. ; TRISTAN R. ; S. ROUAIGUIA ; J.C. DELAUNAY ; MRILLON M.
and J. SELMANE H. and MESSIAD H.) 93

Valorisation of natural compounds in different industries

(food, pharmacy, cosmetic ...)
- Quality Control and Standardisation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)
(M. Kamil & Dr. M. A. Naji) 99
-Antimicrobial Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from the
Sahara Endemic Medecinal Plant Warionia saharae Benth & Coss. (Asteraceae)
(N. BELBOUKHARI ; A. CHERITI ; I. BOMBARDA and E. GAYDOU) 103
-Composition Chimique et Activit Biologique de lHuile Essentielle de Filipendula
hexapetala Gibb (H. LAOUER ; M. LAMAMRA ; S. PRADO ; N. BALDOVINI ; N.
BOULAACHEB ; S. AKKAL) 107
-Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Hippomarathrum
libanotis Koch (H. LAOUER ; S. PRADO ; N. BALDOVINI ; N. BOULAACHEB ;
S. AKKAL) 113
-Investigation of macro and micro elements effects on some quantitative traits of Chicory
(Cichorium intybus L.) (KHAGHANI S. ; A. MOLLAFILABI ; H. SHOORIDEH) 119
-Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects of Crataegus Azarolus var .
eu-azarolus L. Ethyl Acetate Extract (R. BAHRI-SAHLOUL ; S. AMMAR ; J. CHRIAA ;
S. SAGUEM ; S. GREC ; F. TROTIN ; F. HARZALLAH-SKHIRI) 125
-Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oils from the oleoresin of Pistacia vera L. against
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp (B. RAHO GHALEM and
M. BENALI) 137
-Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation of Oleoresin Pistacia atlantica. Desf Oil Against
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes
(B. RAHO GHALEM) 141
-Herbal Medicine as adjunct treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (S. EL-GENGAIHI
and M. ABD ELSALAM) 145

Commercialization and socio-economical aspects

related to MAPs
- Les Plantes Mdicinales de la Steppe Algrienne du Genre Pituranthos (A .N. CHAKER ;
M. DAHIA ; H. LAOUAR and R. HAICHOUR) 155
-Salient Remarks on the Attars Shops in Tripoli-Libya (F. B. ERTEEB ; A.M. IESA and S.
ALDALI) 163
-Analyse Ethnobotanique des Plantes Vasculaires Mdicinales dans la Rgion kabyle
(daras de Makouda et Ouaguenoun, wilaya de Tizi Ouzou, Algrie) (O. MEDDOUR-SAHAR ;
R. MEDDOUR ; S. CHABANE ; N. CHALLAL and A. DERRIDJ) 169
-La Flore Mdicinale et ses Usages Actuels en Kabylie (wilaya de Tizi Ouzou, Algrie) :
Quelques Rsultats dune Etude Ethnobotanique (R. MEDDOUR ; H. MELLAL ;
O. MEDDOUR-SAHAR and A. DERRIDJ) 181

 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :9-13

Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Amroune A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Botanical and Chemical Study of Algerian Thyme (Thymus algeriensis)

Amroune A.; Laredj H. ;Amrouni R. ; Mecheri R. and Ounaissia K.
Medical Botany Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medecine, University Badji Mokhtar
Annaba Algrie E-mail: ph.kader@yahoo.fr
Dalia F.
Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University Badji Mokhtar,
Annaba. Algrie

Abstract:
Algeria is known for its wealth of medicinal plants, in relation to its size and its bio-diversity.
The Thymus genus of the family Lamiaceae includes several botanical species spread throughout
the coast and even in regions internal to the areas arid, the majority of species found in Algeria
(Thymus numidicus, Thymus commutatus etc), these species are very rich in essential oils and
are used in cooking and in folk medicine.
This work relates to the botanical and chemical study of Thymus algeriensis; aromatic endemic
species growing spontaneously in lawns and rockeries of the mountainous regions of Tell which
are rare elsewhere. This study of the species was conducted in Tbessa (in the east of Algeria).
Keywords: Algeria, Anatomy, Endemic, Essential oils, Tbessa, Thymus algeriensis

1-INTRODUCTION
Since the appearance of man and during the
evolution of beliefs, traditions, lifestyle, man has
always maintained close ties with his "art of
healing" that uses medicinal plants. On land there
are about 500 000 plants of which 10 000 have
medicinal properties. Despite the enormous
progress made by modern medicine, man has
ceased to enjoy natural healing that can be provide
by these plants and by adopting a less aggressive
care for the body as opposed to side effects that can
make drugs (Baba Farid Aissa, 1999).
In our work, we are interested in the family
Lamiaceae, especially the gender Thymus which are
endemic species in Algeria, among which are:
Thymus algeriensis.

Botanical Description
Woody plant, often forming cushions; tight
shoots, slender, more or less erect and hairy,
covered with leaves opposite, slender, shortly
petiolate glabrous, but slightly hairy at the base,
slightly curled at the edges.
1. Reproductive. Pink flowers 5 to 6 mm, terminal
flower.
2. Habitat. Lawns and rockeries of the
mountainous regions of Tell; rare elsewhere.
3. Properties and usage. Thyme in Algeria is a
bitter astringent, stomach, diaphoretic, anti-
spasmodic and stimulating; (Beloued , 1998 ;
Quezel and Santa, 1963).
Figure 1: Thymus algeriensis
2-OBJECTIVES
-Anatomic study performed on histological
sections of Algeria thyme (leaf).
- Review thyme powder;
- Extraction of essential oil of Thymus algeriensis;
- Separation of components of the oil by TLC.
3-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sampling
Two harvests were made:
- The first in end April during the flowering of
Thymus algeriensis North of the Wilaya of Tbessa
(30 km from Morsot Tbessa. East of Algeria).

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :9-13
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Amroune A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

- The second harvest in late June, after flowering.

Figure 4: cystolytihe hair

Harvest site (East of Algeria).

Figure2: Map of Algeria

Materials and methods

Samples of 30 grams of flowering tips (during
Figure 5: hair secretion
flowering), the stems and leaves (after flowering)
were retained after drying in the laboratory.
* Achieving the cutting of the organ studied
* Color of the walls (double coloration using
methyl green and congo red).
* Microscopic Observation.
* Description of the structures observed and
searched.
* Consideration of the powder.
*Extraction apparatus (hydro distiller) by
Nickerson
* The thin-layer chromatography according to the
European Pharmacopoeia 5th Edition 2005.

4-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Anatomy

Figure 6: The nerve

Figure 3: Cross section of leaf

10
 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :9-13
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Amroune A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

The Powder

Figure 7: Protective hair (one cell)

Figure 10: Protective hair (two cells)

Figure 8: Protective hair Figure11: Protective hair (many cells)

Figure 9: Stomata Figure 12: Protective hair

11
 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :9-13
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Amroune A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

than 1.2 ml/100gr the plant during flowering.

degage essential oils to attract pollinating insects.
After flowering the content exceeds 1.2 ml/100gr,
after flowering, the plant stores the essential oils to
withstand drought.

Thin layer chromatography (TLC)

-During flowering:

Figure 13: Hair secretion

Discussion:
The anatomical study of the sheet and the
examination of the powder shows the presence of :
- Hair secretory characteristics of the family
Lamiaceae (Guignard J.L, 1994);
- cystolytiques hair;
- protective hairs of variable shape characteristic of
the genus of Thymus (European Pharmacopoeia 5th
Edition 2005 ).
Figure15: Revelation of Chemical Components of
The extraction of essential oil the essential oil on TLC plate with Vanillin Sulfuric
An essential oil obtained from small smoked glass (During flowering)
vials, hermetically sealed and kept in the dark at +4
C : Table 2: Frontal Reports (FR) During Flowering
The duration of the extraction 2 hours 30minutes
Appearance Liquid HRF (%) component
Color Pale yellow(figure 14) Stain 1 8,8 N.D
Smell Aromatique
Stain 2 11 Bornol
The yield of the extraction (minimum 1.2 ml/100gr) Stain 3 16 N.D
(European Pharmacopoeia 5th Edition 2005).
1. During flowering: Yield = 1.13 ml / 100gr Stain 4 26 N.D
2. After flowering: Yield = 1.42 ml/100gr Stain 5 32 Cineole
Stain 6 38 N.D
Stain 7 44 Thymol
Stain 8 55 Menthyl Actate
Stain 9 64 N.D
Stain 10 76 N.D
Stain 11 83 N.D
Stain 12 94 N.D

(N.D: not determined)

Figure14. Photo representative color of the oil

During the flowering: the content is slightly less

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :9-13
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Amroune A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

-After flowering
Bibliography
-Anton.R and Bernard.M, 1999. Plants therapeutic.
ED. Technique et documentation, Lavoisier.
-Baba Farid Aissa ,1999. Encyclopedia of useful
plants, Flora of Algeria and the Maghreb.Ed:Edas,
Algiers.
-Beloued A., 1998. Medicinal plants in Algeria.
Ed Academic Office European Pharmacopoeia 5th
Edition 2005
-Guignard,J.L,1994.: Short of Botany. Ed Masson.
Paris.
-Quezel P., and S. Santa, 1963. New flora of
Algeria's southern desert. T2. CNRS Ed.

Figure16: Revelation of chemical components of

the EO on TLC plate with vanillin sulfuric
(after flowering)

Table 3: Frontal Reports (FR) After Flowering

HFR (%) Component

Stain 1 11 Bornol
Stain 2 17 N.D
Stain 3 23 N.D
Stain 4 32 Cineole
Stain 5 40 Thymol
Stain 6 55 Menthyl Actate
Stain 7 63 N.D
Stain 8 72 N.D
Stain 9 89 N.D
Stain 10 94 N.D

(N.D: not determined)

-During flowering: the presence of twelve stains,

four of which are identified that correspond to the
following components: Borneol, cineole, and
thymol acetate Menthyl (Anton. and Bernard,
1999).
-After the flowering has obtained ten stains, and
identified the same four components already found
during the bloom.

5-CONCLUSION
The chemical and anatomical study of Thymus
algeriensis showed the following characteristics:
-Secretors hair and protective characteristics;
-The content of essential-oil is in the standards
during and after flowering;
-Thin layer-chromatography shows the presence
of several components, the most important
identified, cineole and thymol.

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :15-18
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Archana P.R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Chemical Variability in Andrographis Paniculata

Archana Peshin Raina; S. K. Pareek and Ashok Kumar
Germplasm Evaluation Division, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India-110012
Phone: 091- 011- 25848074 (Office) Fax: 091-011 - 25842495;Email: aprraina @yahoo.co.in

Abstract :
Andrographis paniculata Nees (Kalmegh) is a medicinal herb endowed with curative
properties against a variety of ailments. Its pharmacological activity is evaluated in terms of its
andrographolide content. Thirty accessions of Andrographis paniculata collected from various
parts of India were grown under identical conditions for two years. These were analyzed for
andrographolide content in leaf, stem and capsules separately by High Performance Thin Layer
Chromatography (HPTLC) method. Wide phyto-chemical variability was observed among these
accessions in andrographolide content. The leaf contained maximum andrographolide content
varying from 1.14% to 2.60%, followed by stem which contained 0.28% to 0.83% and capsules
contained negligible amounts of 0.05% to 0.20%. Promising accessions were identified in terms of
their andrographolide content, which can be grown for commercial cultivation. It is concluded that
the leaf accumulated maximum amount of andrographolide, thus it could be used as effective
major source of drug.
Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, andrographolide content, HPTLC method, Kalmegh

1-INTRODUCTION the first time quantitative variation in different parts

Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Kalmegh;
Family Acanthaceae) is an annual herb used in the
Indian System of Medicine since the immemorial
time (Chopra, 1958; Chadha, 1985). This plant has a
wide distribution beginning from moist shady lands
in the Himalayan foothills to Indo-Gangetic plains
and humid tracts of peninsular India. It is also
reported from certain parts of other Asian countries
such as China, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh.
The fresh and dried leaves and juice extracted from
this herb are official drugs in Indian Pharmacopoeia
(GOI, 1955; Vijay and Nanavati, 1978). The plant
has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility and
immunosuppressive properties due to its bitter
andrographolide content (Handa and Sharma, 1990;
Kapil et al., 1993; Matsuda et al., 1994; Murugain et
al., 1995). The whole herb is medicinally valued and
contains important diterpenoids like andrographolide,
which is distributed in different propositions in
different parts of the plant. At present, it is being
collected from forest areas and a lot of variation in
the active principle contents could be seen. Thus in
order to obtain drug of uniform potency, there is a
need to cultivate this crop to meet requirement of the
drug industry.
The objectives of the present study was to find
out whether phenotypic variations of Andrographis
paniculata collected from various locations are
linked to quantitative variation in medicinally active
principles. In this study, 30 accessions of
Andrographis paniculata collected from different
locations of India were analyzed for andrographolide
content to see phyto-chemical diversity. It reports for
of the herb i.e. leaves, stem and capsules.
2- MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material
Thirty accessions assembled from various parts of
India were first raised in well-prepared nursery plots
at NBPGR, New Delhi, Issapur farm during the first
week of July. The experiment was conducted during
crop seasons 2004-05 and 2005-06. The seedlings at
45 days of age were transferred to the field at a
distance of 45 cm x 45 cm in the last week of August
when they attained 10-15 cm height. The crop was
given necessary interculture and irrigation. The herb
samples were collected after crop duration of 75, 90,
105, 120 and 135 days of sowing to establish the best
harvesting time for maximum andrographolide
content. The leaves, stems and capsules were
separately harvested. These samples were shade dried
and made fine powder for chemical analysis at
different stages of harvest.
Chemical Analysis
1. Preparation of Plant Extracts. Andrographolide
(C20H30Os, MW 350.44), a bicyclic diterpenoid
lactone was estimated separately in leaf, stem and
capsules. Dry leaf/ stem/ capsule powder (1 g) was
extracted with methanol (3 x 20 ml for 6 h each
time). Extracts were pooled and concentrated under
vacuum. They were dissolved in methanol to make
up final volume up to 20 ml for further analysis.
Standard andrographolide obtained from Sigma was
prepared in methanol (1 mg/1 ml).

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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
2. Chromatography. Samples together with standard
andrographolide were applied on a silica gel HPTLC
plate 20 x 10 cm (60 F 254, E. Merck, Germany)
with an automated TLC applicator Linomat V with
N2 flow (Camag, Switzerland). The HPTLC plates
were developed using a Camag twin trough glass
tank, which was presaturated with the mobile phase
chloroform: methanol, 7:1 for about 15 min. After
developing plate up to a height of 8 cm, it was taken
off and air-dried. Spots were visualized under UV
light at 254 nm. Andrographolide content was
quantified using a Camag TLC scannar-3 equipped
with Wincat software with slit width 6 x 0.45 mm,
wavelength 232 nm, absorption-reflection scan mode
using a calibration curve for standard
andrographolide.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The variation in andrographolide content with
growth stages was studied to ascertain best
harvesting time for high quality product.
Andrographolide content at 75 days after planting
was the lowest and continued to increase with the
advancement in crop. Maximum biosynthesis of
andrographolide was observed between 90 to 105
days after planting. The best harvesting time was
observed at 105 days after sowing which gave
maximum andrographolide content followed by its
decline at 120 and 135 days of harvest (Fig. 1). A
perusal of data at 105 days of harvest indicated that
mean andrographolide content among the 30
accessions was 1.62 % in leaf (Table1).
Andrographolide content ranged from 1.14 % to
2.60% among these 30 accessions in leaf (Table1).
Sabu et al. (2001) found that the andrographolide
content in leaves varied between 0.73% to 1.47%
among 12 accessions collected from Southern
regions of India and 3 accessions collected from
other tropical Asian countries.
The andrographolide content in stem ranged from
0.37% to 0.83% and was extremely lower than that
measured in leaf. Capsules showed a negligible
amount of andrographolide content (0.11% to 0.20%,
Fig. 2). Promising accessions were identified based
on high andrographolide content in leaf; IC342134
(2.60%), IC417913 (2.17%), IC111287 (2.11%) and
IC342138 (2.05%).
Perusal of obtained data showed that IC342138
collection made from Trivendrum produced the
maximum biomass. The 30 accessions were
evaluated for andrographoilde content in ratoon crop
in the similar manner at 105 days of harvest (Fig. 3).
There was almost 20% reduction in andrographolide
content in leaf in ratoon crop. Mean andrographolide
content declined from 1.62% to 1.32% in leaf and
0.56% to 0.48% in stem. The andrographolide
content declined albeit the increase in herbage in
ratoon crop.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :15-18
[Archana P.R. et al.,]
High androgropholide content was retained after two
years by accessions: IC342138 (1.85 %) and
IC471913 (1.82 %), IC 111287 (1.71 %), IC342134
(1.71 %). The studies indicated that stage of harvest
is very important for high quality produce.
Harvesting after 105 days of planting gives
maximum andrographolide content. Moreover,
although all the plant parts contained
andrographolide, the leaves would be effective
source of the drug as it contained maximum
andrographolide content.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to Director, NBPGR and
Head, Germplasm Evaluation Division for providing
necessary facilities and constant encouragement
Literature Cited
-Chadha, Y.R. 1985. The Wealth of India: Raw
materials Volume 1A. Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research, New Delhi, India, pp 264.
-Chopra, R.N.1958. Indigenous Drugs of India, U.N.
Dhar & Sons, Calcutta, pp 278.
-GOI. 1955. Pharmacopoeia of India, Ministry of
Health, Government of India, New Delhi. pp
355.
-Handa, S.S. and Sharma, A.1990. Hepatoprotective
activity of andrographolide from Andrographis
paniculata against carbon tetrachloride. Ind. J.
Med. Res. 92: 276-283.
-Kapil, A., Koul, I.B., Banerjee, S.K. and Gupta,
B.D. 1993. Antihepatotoxic effects of major
diterpeniod constituents of Andrographis
paniculata. Biochemical Pharmacology 46 (1):
182 -184.
-Matsuda, T., Kuroyanavgi, M., Sygiyama, S.,
Umehara, K., Ueno, A. and Nishi, K. 1994. Cell
differentiation-inducing diterpenes from
Andrographis paniculata. Chemical and
Pharmaceutical Bulletin 42: 1216-1225.
-Murugain, P., Palanisamy, M., Stanley, A. and
Akbasha, M.A.1995. Prospective use of
andrographolide in male antifertility. Int. Symp.
On Male Contraception- Present and Future,
New Delhi. pp 34-35.
-Sabu, K.K., Padmesh, P. and Seeni, S. 2001.
Intraspecific variation in active principle content
and isozymes of Andrographis paniculata: a
traditional hepatoprotective medicinal herbs of
India. J. of Med. and Aromatic Plant Sci.2 3:
643-647.
-Vijaya, S.B. and Nanavati, D.P. 1978. A. Paniculata
(Burn) Wall ex Nees (Kalmegh). Ind. Drugs 15:
187-190.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Archana P.R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 1. Andrographolide content in Andrographis paniculata collections.

Andrographolide (%)*
Collection No. Source (State) Accessions Leaf Stem
RRC PUNE Pune (Mahrashtra) IC 342137 1.85 0.56
IC 111288 1.89 0.68
IC 111287 2.11 0.52
IC 210635 1.69 0.64
BMS 075 Barabanki (U. P) IC 342135 1.50 0.28
IC 111291 1.69 0.41
IC 111286 1.94 0..57
VS/HYS/1 Solan (H.P) IC 471912 1.19 0.70
RRC JHANSI Jhansi (U. P) IC 342139 1.38 0.69
SM-1/1 Jharkhand (Jharkhand) IC 399612 1.32 0.81
VG 004 Saharanpur (U. P) IC 342136 1.62 0.47
VS/HYS/8 Bilaspur (H.P) IC 471919 1.55 0.48
VS/AKS/6 Amarkantaka (M.P) IC 471894 1.66 0.68
A.COLL West Bengal (W. B) IC 342140 1.45 0.46
TRIVENDRUM Trivendrum (Kerala) IC 342138 2.05 0.49
Solan (H. P)
2.17 0.43
VS/HYS/2 IC 471913
IC 111295 1.65 0.48
IC 111290 1.31 0.81
BMS 043 Bahraich (U. P) IC 342134 2.6 0.53
FAIZABAD Faizabad (U. P) IC 342141 1.78 0.71
VS/AKS/3 Amarkantaka (M.P) IC 471891 1.31 0.60
Solan (H. P)
1.14 0.55
VS/HYS/4 IC 471915
Amarkantaka (M. P)
1.46 0.28
VS/AKS/5 IC 471893
VS/AKS/1 Amarkantaka (M. P) IC 471889 1.14 0.83
Amarkantaka (M. P)
VS/AKS/4 IC 471892 1.49 0.48
Chitrasdurga
( Karnatka) IC 400519 1.51 0.64
Amarkantaka (M.P)
VS/HYS/5 IC 471915 1.57 0.40
VS/HYS/6 Bilaspur (H. P) IC 471917 1.42 0.59
VS/HYS/7 Bilaspur (H.P) IC 471918 1.61 0.56
VS/AKS/2 Amarkantaka (M.P) IC 471890 1.51 0.37
Mean 1.62 0.56
*Mean of chemical analysis done in two replications at 105 days of harvest.

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Archana P.R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Figures
3

Andrographolide content
2.5 IC 342134

2
IC 342135

(%)
1.5

1 IC 111291

0.5
IC 111290
0
75 90 105 120 135
IC 342141
Days after harvest

Fig. 1. Variation in andrographolide content at different stages of harvest.

Fig.2. Variability in Andrographolide content (% dry weight) of 30 accessions of Andrographis panicula

*1 and 2 on X-axis represents variation in andrographolide content of 10 promising acces-sions of A. paniculata in first
and second year
Figure 3. Variation in andrographolide content in ratoon crop of Andrographis paniculata

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 19-21
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mirshekari B. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Evaluation of Yield and Essence of (Cuminum cyminum L.) when Seeds

Inoculated with Azospirillum Strains and Coated with Microelements
Bahram Mirshekari and Arezo Mirmozaffari
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Islamic Azad
University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract
This research was carried out to study the effect of Azospirillum strains and seed coating with
microelements on yield and essence of (Cuminum cyminum L.) at the research farm of the
University of Tabriz, Iran in 2006. The treatments consisted of five Azospirillum strains
(Lipoferun, Brasilense, Irakense, Strain-of and Strain-21) with no-inoculated seeds as control
and coating or not coating of seeds with microelements. The factors were arranged on a
randomized complete block design with three replications. Seed essence was extracted by steam
water distillation method. Data were analyzed by MSTAT-C software and means were compared
with Duncan's multiple range test. The results revealed that the highest number of umbrella per
plant (43 and 46 umbrellas, 68% and 52% increase compared with control) was obtained when
seeds were coated with microelements and inoculated with Azospirillum, Strain-21, respectively.
The highest thousand seed weight and grain yield of cumin (3 g and 1548 t ha-1, respectively) were
obtained in the treatment of seed inoculation with Azospirillum, Strain-21, and the lowest values of
these traits (2.6 g and 980 t ha-1, respectively) were observed in no-inoculated treatment. Strain of
and Irakense had lower effect than Strain-21 on grain yield of cumin, while, Lipoferun and
Brasilense had not significant effect on yield. Seed essence of cumin was reduced by 33% and
30% in no-inoculated and no-coated treatments, respectively. We concluded that if the cumin was
planted for seed essence production, the seeds should be not only inoculated with Azospirillum
strain of or strain 21, but should be also coated with microelements.
Key words: Azospirillum Strains, Cumin, Microelements, Seed Inoculation, Yield

1-INTRODUCTION of five Azospirillum strains (Lipoferun, Brasilense,

The production and use of medicinal plants is
increasing worldwide, because they are healthier than
chemical medicines. Iran is characterised by a
climate diversity and is home of a range of medicinal
plants which could be exported to many countries.
Cumin is among the local interesting medicinal
plants since it withstands water scaricity. Therefore,
this plant species could be produced in the arid and
semiarid regions (6, 7). Seed inoculation with
Azospirillum strains for nitrogen fixation is one of the
majors of sustainable agriculture. In this case,
nitrogen application could be reduced (30 to 50%)
and crop yield could be increased (up to 65%.) In
inoculated seeds with Azospirillum root length, stem
height and absorption of minerals increase.
Iranian soils are rich in Ca, but contain low levels
of Zn and Fe. Application of microelements in Iran is
not common and negligeable when adopted (2 g/ton
crop production).
The main objective of this study was to evaluate
experiment was carried out to study the effect of
Azospirillum strains and seed coating with
microelements on yield and essence of Cuminum
cyminum L. at the research farm of the University of
Tabriz, Iran in 2006. The climate is semiarid and
cold, average annual precipitation is 270 mm and the
soil texture is sandy loam. The treatments consisted
Irakense, Strain-of and Strain-21) with no-inoculated
seeds as control and coating or not coating of seeds
with microelements (Fe: 61%, Cu: 8%, Mn: 10%, Zn:
7%, Mo: 2%, B2O5: 12%). The factors were
arranged factorially based on a randomized complete
block design with three replications.
The fertilizers used included 35 and 25 kg ha-1 of
potassium sulfate and ammonium phosphate
respectively, and 30 kg ha-1 of urea. The dependant
variables determined were umbrella number per
plant, thousands seeds weight, seed yield and seed
essence. Seed essence was extracted by steam water
distillation method. Data were analyzed by MSTAT-
C software and means were compared with Duncan's
multiple range test.
2-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Seed inoculation with Azospirillum strains and
seed coating with microelements affected
significantly the umbrella number per plant (Table
1). The highest umbrella number per plant (50
umbrellas) was obtained when seeds were inoculated
with Azospirillum (strain 21) and coated with
microelements. This treatment reduced by 23% the
umbrella number per plant as compared to the
control.

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 19-21
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mirshekari B. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Interaction between studied factors on cumin strain of or strain 21, but also should be coated with
thousands seeds weight was significant (P<0.01). microelements.
Thousand seeds weight ranged from 2.9 g in
Azospirillum lipoferum to 3.8 g in Azospirillum Literature Cited
brasilense. The lowest thousand seeds weight (2.3 g)
-Atal, C. K. and B. M. Kapur. 2004. Cultivation and
was obtained when cumin seeds were not inoculated
utilization of medicinal plants. Resaerch
with Azospirillum and not coated with
Laboratory, India.
microelements. Seed coating with microelements
-Gholi zadeh F., M. R. Hekmatjou, M. Zaeefizadeh,
could increase thousand seeds weight by up to 26%
F. Azimi and F. Peygami. 2007. Cumin and it's
in comparison with control.
production in Ardabil state in dryland farming.
Mean comparisons indicated that, the highest
Jehad e Agriculture Ministry, Iran. J. Zeytoon,
seed yield (1772 kg/ha) was produced, when seeds
130, 26-39.
were inoculated with Azospirillum strain 21 and
-Hornok, L. 2000. Effect of nutrition supply on yield
coated with microelements, and this value was 24%
of Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and its essential
higher than the treatment of seeds only inoculated
oil content. Acta Horticulture. 96,. 337-????.
with Azospirillum. Sharaf (1995) reported that when
-Kapur, B.M. 2003. First results of sowing date and
seeds were inoculated with Azotobacter and
nitrogen rate on yield and essence of Cumin
Azospirillum, the growth and yield of Datura
(Cuminum cyminum L.). Reg. Res. Lab. Jammu-
stramonium increased.
Tawi, India.
Cumin seed essence yield ranged from 13.7 kg/ha
-Kazemi, F. 2001. Traditional medicinal plants in
(with control) to 54 kg/ha (when seeds were inocu-
Iran. Jehad e Agriculture Organization of East
lated with Azospirillum strain of). The difference
Azarbaijan (Pub.). 55 pp.
between two strains of strain 21 and strain of with a
-Kazemi, F. 2002. Cumin in East Azarbaijan, Iran.
view to this trait was not significant. Seeds coating
Jehad e Agriculture Organization of East
with microelements increased seed essence yield by
Azarbaijan (Pub.). 60 pp.
up to 47% (22kg/ha). We concluded that if the cumin
-Saadati, J. and L. Fardaei. 1994. Cumin in Tabriz
was planted for seed essence production, the seeds
region. Publ. of Agricultural organization of East
should be not only inoculated with Azospirillum
Azarbaijan, 24 p.

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 19-21
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mirshekari B. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Tables

Table 1. Analysis of variance of the effects of seed inoculation with Azospirillum strains
and seed coating with microelements on studied traits in Cumin.
df umbrella number thousands seeds seed yield seed essence
per plant weight

MS
R 2 0.004 0.16 55.0** 7.12**
Seed Coating with 1 168.56** 284.0** 1099.44** 114.45**
Microelements (SCM)
Seed Inoculation with 5 12.54** 48.96 100.49** 3.55*
Azospirillum (SIA)
SCM SIA 5 0.795** 2.11 5.072** 1.45**
Error 22 0.18 1.97 0.26 0.26
CV (%) - 12.96 14.34 27.73 12.63

Table 2. Mean comparisons of the effects of seed inoculation with Azospirillum strains and seed
coating with microelements on studied traits in Cumin.
umbrella number per thousands seeds seed yield seed essence
plant weight(unit???) (unit???) (unit???)
Control 33.66 2.3 617.75 2.21
Lipoferum 33.33 2.42 826.0 2.36
No- coating

Brasilense 36.6 2.6 1020.0 2.58

Irakense 35.33 2.51 911.66 2.47
Strain of 37 2.66 1157.33 2.65
Strain 21 41 2.73 1323.33 2.63
Control 38.6 2.81 1342.33 2.92
seed coating with

Lipoferum 40.33 2.92 1410.33 3.03

microelements

Brasilense 42 2.83 1522.0 3.15

Irakense 42.66 3.12 1468.66 3.16
Strain of 45.6 3.26 1705.0 2.18
Strain 21 50 3.32 1772.33 2.92

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :23-27
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Bouzebda A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Les Plantes Mellifres de Quelques Rgions du Nord-est Algrien:

Inventaire et Etude Palynologique
BOUZEBDA A., MANAMANI M. et BOUGHDIRI L.
Laboratoire de palynologie, Dpartement de Biologie, Facult des Sciences, Universit de Annaba, BP 12
Annaba, ALGERIE. bouze_abdou@yahoo.fr

CHEFROUR A.
Laboratoire de Botanique Mdicale, Dpartement de Pharmacie, Facult de Mdecine, Universit Badji
Mokhtar, BP 12 Annaba, ALGERIE.

Rsum :
A lextrmit Nord Est de lAlgrie, se situe un ensemble de paysages regroupant plusieurs
tages bioclimatiques (sub humide humide). La vgtation forme un potentiel mellifre trs
diversifie ncessaire pour la production dune grande varit de miels. Cette richesse floristique
fournit une mielle pendant toute lanne.
De nombreux facteurs (conditions cologiques exognes, condition endognes) exercent une
influence dterminante sur la potentialit mellifre. Le potentiel mellifre varie selon les espces et
de leur adaptation au milieu. Il peut avoir un effet nfaste caus par des actions anthropiques.
Lobjectif principal de notre contribution est lestimation de la densit de la flore mellifre
dans quelques sites. Cette tude a permit aussi de mettre en vidence une analyse pollinique des
miels.
A travers le territoire algrien, 280 espces entomophiles mellifres ont t inventories,
appartenant 34 familles. Nous constatons que la famille des Composes renferme le plus grand
nombre des espces mellifres, suivi par les familles des Crucifres, des Lamiaces. De ce fait, un
calendrier des priodes de floraison a t tabli, les caractristiques morphologiques de s plantes et
aussi celles de leurs grains de pollen.
Mots cls : plantes mellifres, pollen, abeille, miel, apiculture, biodiversit, Nord-est dAlgrie

1-INTRODUCTION digestion des ruminants (ex: le nectar de trfle et la

Le potentiel de production du miel est en relation
avec la richesse du cortge floristique en plantes
mellifres. De nombreuses plantes fleurs sont
devenues leurs tours tributaires des insectes pour
leur pollinisation. Pour attirer les vecteurs
pollinisateurs, les plantes mellifres sont senses de
produire une quantit importante de pollen et scrter
beaucoup de nectar par des nectaires (glandes
nectarifres) floraux et extra floraux. La richesse du
nectar en sucre dtermine son degr dattraction aux
insectes. Mme les meilleures sources en nectar
varient largement dune anne une autre et entre les
rgions, en raison de certains facteurs extrinsque et
intrinsque. Le pollen varie normment au sein des
individus de la mme espce. Le choix de pollen se
base sur lodeur et la configuration physique des
grains de pollen. De plus, les butineuses ont tendance
prfrer la rcolte du nectar, dans deux tudes ont
montr que 58% des butineuses rcoltaient seulement
du nectar, 25% que de pollen et 17% rcoltaient
nectar et pollen.
De ce fait, labeille joue un rle primordial pour
la prservation des plantes et lamlioration du sol
comme elle vient en aide aux ruminants, cela
sexplique par lexistence dune levure dite
Nectaromyce dans le nectar do la butineuse la
porte dune fleur lautre, cette levure facilite la
luzerne sont trs riches de cette levure).
La production du miel est luvre laborieuse des
abeilles qui butinent un nombre important des
essences mellifres tout en jouant un grand rle dans
la fcondation croise.
LAlgrie est un pays vocation agro-apicole. Il
est riche en plantes mellifres favorables au
dveloppement de lapiculture. Malheureusement, ce
potentiel mellifre nest pas suffisamment exploit.
Le calendrier floral est un bon indicateur pour la
dtection des priodes de la mielle dans les
diffrentes rgions. Lapiculteur est sens dobtenir
ce genre de calendrier pour que lexploitation de
plantes mellifres soit rationnelle.
Lexactitude dun calendrier floral dpend
seulement de lenregistrement soigneux du dbut et
la fin de floraison des plantes mellifres et comment
elles affectent les abeilles. La prparation dun
calendrier prcis et dtaill donc aura besoin le plus
souvent de plusieurs annes denregistrement et
damlioration rpte dinformations obtenues.
Relations existantes entre les abeilles et la flore
mellifre
1. La flore mellifre. L'abeille avec d'autres
insectes joue un rle trs important dans la nature.
Elles assurent le transfert ou le transport des gamtes

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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
mles d'une fleur et les dpose sur l'organe femelle
de la fleur. De ce fait la fcondation aura lieu, suivi
par une bonne fructification et formation russite de
semences. En contre partie, l'abeille bnficie de la
rcolte du pollen et des scrtions florales (nectar,
miellat, osmophore). Selon RADIER (1989), le terme
des plantes mellifres englobe plusieurs expressions,
savoir :
1.1. Plantes apicoles. Plantes visites par l'abeille
soit pour le nectar, le pollen, le miellat ou mme pour
la propolis.
1.2. Plantes nectarifres. Sont celles qui
produisent du nectar grce des glandes appeles
nectaires.
1.3. Plantes pollinifres. C'est le cas de la
majorit des plantes fleurs qui fournissent du pollen
aux abeilles.
2. Importance de la flore mellifre. Les abeilles
dpendent exclusivement du monde vgtal pour leur
alimentation. Si l'on veut apprcier correctement
l'intrt d'une plante qu'elle soit, pour les abeilles, il
convient toujours de prendre en compte la totalit des
produits quelles fournissent (LOUVEAUX, 1980).
Par exemple le coquelicot Papaver rhoeas est
dpourvu de nectaires fonctionnels et ne donne pas
de miel, mais il produit une trs grande quantit de
pollen de bonne qualit. Par contre les espces
appartenant au genre Populus ne produisent pas de
nectar et probablement pas de miellat de faon
significative, mais elles sont visites par les abeilles,
car elles produisent en abondance de la rsine et
d'autres substances ncessaires la formation de la
propolis.
Ces exemples permettent d'affirmer que l'abeille
exploite rationnellement et systmatiquement une
fleur bien prcise, d'o une coopration bnfique
entre les abeilles et les plantes (SIGNORINI, 1979).
D'une manire gnrale les plantes mellifres les plus
importantes sont celles qui ont une productivit
nectarifre leve, rgulire et qui existent en vastes
peuplements.
2-MATERIEL ET METHODES
Un grand nombre despces sont mellifre par
leur production de nectar et de pollen. Dautres sont
caractrises par la production du miellat.
Au cours des explorations effectues tout long de
lanne dans la rgion Nord-est de lAlgrie et qui
nous ont permis dapprcier les diffrents aspects de
la flore mellifre algrienne sa diversit sa richesse,
son abondance, ses particularits. Il sagit dun guide
travers les plantes mellifres dAlgrie qui retrace
notre enqute au fil des saisons. Notre but est
dattirer lintention des gens surtout les apiculteurs
la richesse de ces rgions en plantes mellifres.
Rcolte des fleurs
Pour ltude pollinique, on a choisi les plantes
mellifres omniprsentes dans presque toutes les
rgions du Nord Est de lAlgrie. La priode de
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :23-27
[Bouzebda A. et al.,]
rcolte cest tale sur presque toute lanne, les
fleurs rcoltes ont t conserves dans des sachets
bien ferms, pour viter la contamination.
Prparation des lames de rfrences
Les lames de rfrences ont t montes selon la
mthode de Woodhouse (1935).
Observation au microscopique et prise de photos
Nous avons ralis sous microscope optique de
marque Zeiss quip dun dispositif photographique
avec un grandissement 1000x pour observer
photographier les grains de pollen. Les images sont
reproduites au grandissement 500x, cette
homognit permet une comparaison facile des
images.
Ralisation d'un calendrier apicole
Le calendrier de floraison des principales plantes
apicoles permet de bien visualiser les ressources
nectarifre prsentes au cours de la saison, il
regroupe une centaine des espces particulirement
intressantes pour les quelles des valeurs nectarifres
sont galement mentionnes (valeurs s'coulant de 0 -
5). Ces valeurs correspondent une valuation de
l'attractivit des espces vgtales sur les abeilles.
Les potentiels attractifs des plantes constituent une
importante source d'information pour valuer l'attrait
apicole d'un territoire ou pour inciter et guider les
plantations, permettant de dvelopper les ressources
nectarifres et pollinifres.
3-RESULTATS ET DISCUSSION
Les rsultats obtenus permettront dlabor un
premier tableau relatif ces espces mellifres, en
faisant apparatre leurs priodes de floraison, les
caractristiques morphologiques de leurs grains de
pollen et aussi leur valeur productrice en miel. De
mme, un deuxime tableau regroupe les donnes sur
la rpartition des espces mellifres dans les
diffrents sites.
Lobservation microscopique et celui de la
morphologie pollinique des grains de pollen des
plantes mellifres a fait tat de la ralisation
denviron (53) photographies reprsentant le pollen
de (53) espces appartenant (17) familles.
La photographie dune fleur ou mme de toute la
plante ne suffit pas pour identifie une espce, pour
cela nous avons intgr des photographies des grains
de pollen des plantes mellifres.
On a galement indiqu le biotope et la distribution
de chaque espce.
4-CONCLUSION
Dans ce travail, on a dnombr les familles
botaniques contenant des genres et des espces
mellifres. 280 espces mellifres entomophiles ont
t identifies appartenant 34 familles. La famille
des Asteraceae renferme le plus grand nombre en
espces mellifres, suivi par la famille des
Brassicaceae, puis les Lamiaceae. Pour mettre en
valeur les plantes mellifres visites par les abeilles,
24
 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :23-27
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Bouzebda A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

un inventaire floristique a t effectu, des guides -Louveaux, J. 1980. Les abeilles et leur levage
dvaluation de la richesse apicole a t ralis pour (nouvelle encyclopdie des connaissances
chaque secteur. La rentabilit dun rucher est base agricoles), Ed. Hachette, Paris, 235 pages.
essentiellement sur le choix de son emplacement et -Marchenay, P. 1988. Miels miellats, mielles.
afin dvaluer certaines directives. On sest rfr Bulletin d'Agriculture Traditionnelle et de
des listes des plantes principalement nectarifres Botanique Applique. Vol. (37). 295 pages.
fournissant un miel de bonne qualit dans dautres -Mellin, E. 2002. Botanique apicole. Ecole
pays ou rgions avec le modle de vgtation, d'apiculture de la rgion wallonne (Gembloux).
dagro-cosystme, climat, conditions daphiques. La 24 pages.
prsence dessaims naturels est un bon indicateur de -Parker, P. 1926. The collection and utilization of
la richesse de ce secteur en plantes mellifres ou bien pollen by the honeybee. Cornell Univ., 98 pages.
suffisantes au moins pendant la priode en question. -Proctor et Yeo. 1984: The pollinisation of flowers.
Les plantes dites nectarifres sont caractrises par Collins, London. 418 pages.
une dure de floraison longue (plusieurs semaines de -Quezel, P. et Santa, S. 1962. Nouvelle Flore de
floraison), une forte densit, la qualit de nectar est L'Algrie et des rgions dsertiques mridionales.
lie avec la concentration leve en sucre, une facilit Tome I., CNRS, Paris, 565p.
daccessibilit. Le primtre (surface de secteur -Quezel, P. et Santa, S. 1963. Nouvelle Flore de
butin) doit tre proportionnel au volume de rucher L'Algrie et des rgions dsertiques mridionales,
(besoin et capacit nombre des colonies). Tome II, CNRS, Paris, 1170 p.
Lapiculteur doit rflchir lextension des produits -Rabiet, R. 1989. Lois du butinage. Revue Franaise
autres que le miel tel que le pollen et la gele royale. d'apiculture, n480. 130pages.
Le choix des plantes mellifres est bas sur un -Stanly et Linskens , 1975. Pollen biology,
ensemble des critres dcrit ci-dessus. Nous avons biochemistry, management. Springer, verlay, 307
galement essay de souligner la date de floraison de pages.
quelques plantes et les caractristiques concernant la -Signorini, R. 1979. Le miel, source de vie. Ed.
production du nectar. Centre d'Etude et de Promotion de la Lecture .
174pages.
BIBLIOGRAPHIE -Wodhouse, R. P. 1935. Pollen grain: their structure
identification and signification in science and
medicine, Mc Row, 14, New-York, 514.
-Aouadi, H. 1989. La vgtation de l'Algrie nord-
orientale : histoire des influences Anthropiques et
cartographie .thse de doctorat de l'universit de
Grenoble 1.sp. Ecologie vgtale : 125pages.
-Beniston, NT. WS. 1984. Fleurs d'Algrie. Edition
Entreprise nationale du livre, Alger, 359 Pages.
-Caillas, A. 1969. Les rucher de rapport et les
produits de la ruche, 6me dition mille, 502
Pages
-Encyclopdie Universalis, 1996
-De Belaire, G. 1990. Structure, fonctionnement et
perspectives de gestion de quatre Eco-complexes
lacustre et marcageux (EL KALA, EST-
ALGERIEN). Thse prsente pour l'obtention du
diplme de Doctorat en physiologie, biologie des
organismes et populations, universit Montpellier
(France). 185 pages.
Free, J.S. 1960. The pollinating efficiency of
honeybee visits to apple flowers. J. Hort. Sci, vol.
4: 91-94.
-Hemptine, J. Hemptine, J.-L. et desprets, A. 1985.
Une gestion de l'environnement pour une
apiculture florissante. Ant. Inst. Sup. Industriel de
la Province du Hainaut, 74.
-Hommel, R. 1947. Apiculture 6me dition librairie
J. B. Baillire , Parie . 495pages.
-Libis, E. 1971. Apiculture pour tous, Ed.
Flammarion, Paris. 146 pages.

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :23-27
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Bouzebda A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Tableau 1 Calendrier de floraison des plantes mellifres trouves dans la rgion dtude
V V Priode de Floraison (Mois)
Espces Vgtales Familles
N P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Cercis silicastrum Fabaceae 2 2
Medicago lupilina Fabaceae 4 1
Medicago sativa Fabaceae 4 1
Melilotus alba Fabaceae 4 3
Melilotus officinalis Fabaceae 4 4
Onobrychis sativa Fabaceae 4 3
Robinia pseudo acacia Fabaceae 3 1
Trifolium repens Fabaceae 5 3
Trifolium pratense Fabaceae 1 3
Trifolium campestris Fabaceae 4 3
Vicia faba Fabaceae 2 3
Aster sp Fabaceae 2 4
Centaurea cineraria Asteraceae 3 1
Centaurea cyanus Asteraceae 3 3
Eupatorium cannabium Asteraceae 3 2
Helianthus annuus Asteraceae 4 1
Taraxacum officinalis Asteraceqe 4 4
Tussilago farfara Asteraceqe 3 1
Solidago virgaurea Asteraceqe 3 3
Brassica napus Brassicaceae 4 4
Sinapis alba Brassicaceqe 4 3
Sinapis nigra Brassicaceqe 3 3
Sinapis arvensis Brassicaceqe 4 3
Mentha pulegium Lamiaceae 5 3
Mentha rotundifolia Lamiaceau 5 3
Mentha aquatica Lamiaceae 4 2
Brunella vulgaris Lamiaceae 3 2
Rosmarinus officinalis Lamiaceae 3 2
Cotoneaster tomentosa Rosaceae 4 1
Crataegus monogyna Rosaceae 4 1
Malus communis Rosaceae 4 2
Prunus domestica Rosaceae 4 4
Prunus armeniaca Rosaceae 5 5
Rosa canina Rosaceae 2 3
Sorbus terminalis Rosaceae 3 1
Sorbus domestica Rosace 3 4
Ribes uva crispa Saxifragaceae 4 4
Salix cinerea Salicaceae 4 4
Salix alba Salicaceae 4 3
Ligustrum vulgare Oleaceae 2 4
Borago officinalis Boraginaceae 4 2
Echium vulgare Boraginaceae 3 2
Malva sylvestris Malvaceae 3 2
Malva mauritiana Malvaceae 3 3
Fraxinus ornus Oleaceae 3 2
Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae 0 3
Daphne mezerum Thymelaceae 2 2
Eucalyptus sp Myrtaceae 3 1
Eucalyptus globulus Myrtaceae 3 1
Papaver hybridum Papaveraceae 0 5
Papaver rhoeas Papaveraceae 0 5
Acer campestris Aceraceae 3 5
Crocus chrysanthus Iridaceae 0 4
- priode de floraison selon Beniston NT.ST (1984)
- vn =valeurs nectarifre, vp = valeur pollinifre, 0 rcolte non constate, 1: rcolte accidentelle, 2: rcolte
rgulire, 3: rcolte souvent constate, 4: rcolte presque toujours constate, 5: rcolte prioritaire d'aprs
Hemptine et al. (1985)

26
 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :23-27
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Bouzebda A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Figures

Helianthus annuus Artemisia absinthium

Chenopodium sp Pinus maritime

Quelques espces mellifres tudies

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Meddour O. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Analyse Ethnobotanique des Plantes Vasculaires Mdicinales dans la

Rgion kabyle (daras de Makouda et Ouaguenoun, wilaya
de Tizi Ouzou, Algrie)
Ouahiba MEDDOUR-SAHAR; Rachid MEDDOUR; Sabiha CHABANE; Nadia CHALLAL and Arezki
DERRIDJ
Facult des Sciences Biologiques et des Sciences Agronomiques,
Universit Mouloud Mammeri, BP 17 RP, 15 000 Tizi Ouzou, Algrie
o.sahar@yahoo.fr

Rsum :
Le travail que nous prsentons ici rpond au besoin de recenser et dordonner les informations
orales sur les plantes mdicinales, utilises aujourdhui encore, recueillies au cours dune enqute
ethnobotanique sur le terrain, auprs de la population rurale des daras de Makouda et
dOuaguenoun dans la wilaya de Tizi Ouzou. Lenqute ethnobotanique a t ralise sur le terrain
afin dinterviewer la population rurale, au niveau de 22 villages des 2 daras, par le biais dun
questionnaire distribu en 500 exemplaires. Il a permis de rcolter le maximum dinformations
concernant les plantes mdicinales (noms vernaculaires, proprits thrapeutiques, usages actuels,
etc.).
Au total, 55 personnes ont t interviewes au niveau des 22 villages concerns. Ce sont
surtout des femmes, ges de plus de 45 ans, qui pratiquent des soins traditionnels, transmettant
leur savoir et savoir-faire ancestraux verbalement de gnration en gnration. En outre, 82 % des
personnes enqutes nont aucun niveau dinstruction (illettres). Ce qui ncessite des travaux
durgence afin de rassembler et de transcrire ce patrimoine inestimable.
Le nombre de plantes (115 au total appartenant 49 familles diffrentes), rencontres lors de
notre enqute sur le terrain, est remarquable et constitue un chantillon pouvant donner une ide
assez prcise sur la biodiversit des plantes mdicinales en Kabylie. Les Astraces et les
Lamiaces sont les plus cites en nombre despces (15 et 13 plantes respectivement). La
prsentation synthtique des donnes acquises consiste analyser divers paramtres significatifs
en phytothrapie traditionnelle. Ce sont 249 recettes au total qui sont prpares laide des 115
plantes mdicinales. Les feuilles sont la partie vgtative de la plante la plus employe dans les
recettes. Pas moins de 64 maladies sont soignes selon notre enqute. Les maux destomacs sont la
pathologie la plus traite par les plantes avec 23 recettes, suivies des dermatoses avec 13 recettes.
Lopration pharmaceutique la plus employe est la dcoction, avec 30 % des recettes rpertories.
Prs de la moiti (49.8 %) des recettes est prise par ingestion orale. Les plantes mdicinales
peuvent tre utilises dautres fins, comme lusage alimentaire, avec 46 % de lensemble des
plantes. La grande majorit des plantes utilises nest pas toxique.
Enfin, les nombreuses observations thrapeutiques peuvent tre utilises pour orienter de
futures recherches dans le domaine clinique ou chimique mdicale. Dautant que sil existe des
analogies incontestables dans les usages de la flore mdicinale au Maghreb, il y a de nombreuses
diffrences rgionales dans ces mmes usages.
Mots-cls : Kabylie, plantes mdicinales, usages multiples, population rurale, ethnobotanique

1-INTRODUCTION souvent depuis des centaines dannes avant le

La nature a toujours constitue une source
intarissable o lhomme a puis nourriture et remde
pour assurer sa survie. Sans renier lapport de la
mdecine moderne, il est important de ne pas perdre
de vue linpuisable ressource que constituent les
plantes mdicinales, notamment dans un pays aussi
immense et biodiversifi que lAlgrie.
Lorganisation mondiale de la sant (OMS, 2003)
a dfini la mdecine traditionnelle comme
lensemble des pratiques thrapeutiques, existant
dveloppement et la diffusion de la mdecine
scientifique, qui sont appliques encore
aujourdhui .
Ce patrimoine quest la mdecine traditionnelle,
qui se transmet oralement dune gnration une
autre, nest actuellement dtenu que par trs peu de
personnes. Il y a urgence pour le recueil et la
transcription du maximum dinformations sur la
thrapeutique traditionnelle, avant de la voir
disparatre irrmdiablement.

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SIPAM 2009
Le travail que nous prsentons ici rpond donc au
besoin de recenser, de colliger et dordonner les
informations orales sur les plantes mdicinales,
utilises autrefois et aujourdhui encore, recueillies
au cours dune enqute ethnobotanique sur le terrain,
auprs de la population rurale des daras de Makouda
et dOuaguenoun.
2-MATERIELS ET METHODES
Le Site dEtude
Les daras de Makouda et Ouaguenoun de la
wilaya de Tizi Ouzou couvrent un territoire dune
surface totale de 233.58 km (Fig. 1). Ces deux daras
comptent 5 communes rurales et 120 villages environ
(Direction de la planification et de lamnagement du
territoire de la wilaya de Tizi Ouzou, 2005) (Fig. 1).
Dune faon gnrale, le climat de la zone
dtude est de type mditerranen, avec des hivers
froids et humides. Les ts sont chauds et secs, avec
des prcipitations rares souvent sous forme dorages
(en juillet et aot).
Enqute ethnobotanique
Lenqute ethnobotanique a t ralise par une plantes mdicinales. Au niveau des villages de
srie de dplacements sur le terrain afin dinterviewer
la population rurale, au niveau de 22 villages des
daras de Makouda et Ouaguenoun. Nous avons
utilis pour cela un questionnaire largement inspir
de celui labor par Le Floch (1983) en Tunisie et
distribu en 500 exemplaires. Il a permis de rcolter
le maximum dinformations concernant les plantes
mdicinales, leurs noms vernaculaires kabyles, leurs
proprits (thrapeutiques, alimentaires ou autres),
leur toxicit ventuelle, leurs usages actuels, le stade
de rcolte, la partie vgtative utilise, etc.
Nous avons ensuite procder au dpouillement,
qui consiste slectionner les questionnaires les plus
complets et les mieux renseigns et prsenter les
rsultats obtenus sous forme de fiches synthtiques.
Ce dpouillement constitue ainsi la premire phase
de traitement des donnes ethnobotaniques obtenues
lors de la prsente tude.
3-RESULTATS ET DISCUSSIONS
Caractristiques de la Population Enqute
Les diffrentes caractristiques de la population
enqute sont : le sexe, lge, le niveau dinstruction mentionnes 10 fois, il sagit de : Picris echioides
et le lieu de rsidence.
Les informations ont t obtenues auprs dun
chantillon global de 55 personnes, qui se
rpartissent en fonction du sexe et de lge comme
suit (tableau 1).
On voit bien que les femmes en Kabylie reprsen-
tent la majorit, soit 73.5 % contre seulement 16.5 %
pour la gent masculine. De plus, llment fminin
g de 45 95 ans est prdominant avec 64 %. Ces
rsultats sont conformes ceux dautres travaux
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :169-179
[Meddour O. et al.,]
raliss au Maroc (MEHDIOUI et KAHOUADJI,
2007). Ce sont donc surtout les femmes, ges de
plus de 45 ans, qui sont dtentrices et dpositaires du
savoir thrapeutique traditionnel et qui pratiquent
depuis longtemps et encore aujourdhui des soins
traditionnels, transmettant leur savoir et savoir-faire
ancestraux verbalement de gnration en gnration.
Dautre part, la trs grande majorit (82 %) des
personnes enqutes na aucun niveau dinstruction
(illettres). Ce qui tmoigne de loriginalit et de la
puret de linformation communique, car ces
personnes nont pas recours la littrature et ont
hrites les connaissances thrapeutiques tradition-
nelles de leurs ascendants, dans une socit o
ruralit rime avec oralit. Mais, ces connaissances
risquent de se perdre au fil du temps et des
gnrations. Ce qui ncessite, comme on la soulign
plus haut, des travaux durgence afin de rassembler et
de transcrire ce patrimoine inestimable de
lhumanit.
Enfin, en ce qui concerne le lieu de rsidence, le
village de Tissegouine et celui de Dhallouth dtien-
nent le record avec respectivement 6 et 7 personnes
possdant une connaissance avre de lusage des
Yaskren et Jebbla, 4 informateurs ont rpondu nos
questionnaires. Dans chacun des villages de Sahridj,
Issaradjen, Makouda et Azaghar ont a pris contact
avec 3 informateurs, et dans les 14 autres villages,
nous avons interviews 1 2 personnes.
Ethnobotaniques et ethnopharmaceutiques
La prsentation synthtique des donnes acquises
consiste analyser plusieurs paramtres significatifs
en phytothrapie traditionnelle, savoir : les
pathologies traites, les parties utilises de la plante,
les tats dutilisation de la plante, les stades de
cueillette, les oprations pharmaceutiques, les modes
dadministration, les vhicules employs et les autres
usages de la plante.
1. Nombre de Plantes Recenses et leurs
Frquences. Les 115 plantes mdicinales retenues
ont t slectionnes en cartant celles cites une ou
deux fois seulement lors de lenqute (liste en
annexe). Une grande majorit de ces plantes (68 soit
59 %) est cite 3 fois, autrement dit par 3
informateurs diffrents, et 43 plantes ont une
occurrence allant de 4 9 fois. Trois plantes sont
(syn. Helminthia echioides) [Hlafa], Dittrichia
viscosa (syn. Inula viscosa) [Amagramane] et Olea
europaea subsp. europaea [Azemour]. Enfin, la
plante la plus rpute et qui prsente le plus grand
nombre de citations, soit 11 fois, est Marrubium
vulgare [Marnouyeth].
Il est certain que ce nombre de plantes (115 au total),
rencontres lors de notre enqute sur le terrain, sans
tre exhaustif, est remarquable et constitue un
chantillon pouvant donner une ide assez prcise sur
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SIPAM 2009
la richesse des usages des plantes mdicinales en
Kabylie.
2. Nombre dEspces selon les Familles
Botaniques. Les 115 espces recenses au total sont
rparties en 49 familles. Les Astraces (ou
Composes) et les Lamiaces (ou Labies) sont les
plus cites en nombre despces (15 et 13 plantes
respectivement). Huit autres familles sont galement
bien reprsentes, ce sont : Liliaces et Rosaces, avec
7 plantes mdicinales chacune, Apiaces ou
Ombellifres (6 plantes), Papilionaces/Fabaces et
Solanaces, 5 plantes chacune, Olaces (4 plantes) et
enfin, Myrtaces et Rutaces, avec 3 plantes chacune.
Par contre, 31 et 8 familles sont reprsentes
seulement par 1 et 2 espces respectivement.
3. Nombre de Recettes Mdicamenteuses par
Famille. Ce sont 249 recettes au total qui sont
prpares laide des 115 plantes mdicinales, soit
2.16 recettes en moyenne par plante. Cette moyenne
est variable, compte tenu simultanment de
limportance numrique des espces et du nombre
total de recettes par famille (tableau 2). Il apparat
ainsi que ce sont les familles des Aristolochiaces,
Myrtaces et Olaces, qui ne sont pas forcment
dominantes numriquement (2 4 plantes
mdicinales), mais qui sont les plus riches en nombre
moyen de recettes par plante !
4. Parties Utilises de la Plante. On a recens 15
parties diffrentes de la plante qui sont utilises pour
la prparation des recettes (Fig. 2) : les feuilles (12.6
% des recettes), les tiges feuilles, tiges, fleurs et
boutons floraux, fruits, bulbes et racines (avec 9.5 %
respectivement), graines (9.3 %), les jeunes pousses
(8 %), lcorce de la tige (4.8 %), les ptales (3.2 %),
lcorce du fruit, lcorce de la racine et les
tubercules (avec 1.6 %) et les produits dextraction et
de scrtion (3.3 %). Parmi ces derniers, on peut citer
la rsine qui exsude de lcorce incise du Pistacia
lentiscus [Thidekth], le latex de Nerium oleander
[Ilili], de Ficus carica [Thanqoults] et de Lactuca
virosa [Ifki nTaghzoult], le suc mucilagineux des
raquettes de Opuntia ficus-indica [LKarmous], la
rsine de Juniperus oxycedrus [Thaqa] et de Pinus
halepensis [Azoumbi].
Les feuilles sont la partie vgtative de la plante
la plus employe dans les recettes de mdecine
traditionnelle en Kabylie. Ceci peut tre li tout
simplement au fait que les feuilles sont disponibles
toute lanne. Certains organes vgtatifs, tels que les
fruits, les fleurs, les tiges feuilles ou non, les racines
et les bulbes, sont aussi frquemment utiliss dans les
recettes (9.5 % chacun).
En fait selon CHAIEB (2000), lorgane utilis de
la plante dpend aussi de la famille botanique, car on
utilise surtout le fruit des Solanaces, le bulbe des
Liliaces, les feuilles des Olaces, les produits
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :169-179
[Meddour O. et al.,]
d'extraction des Rutaces, les graines des
Lgumineuses et des Gramines.
5. Etats de la Plante Utilise. Certaines recettes
ncessitent un schage pralable de la partie utilise,
tandis que dautres emploient la plante ou lorgane
vgtatif ltat frais. Dans notre tude, une grande
partie des recettes (54 %) utilisent des organes de
plante ltat frais ou vert (Fig. 3). La population
rurale, qui est en contact direct avec la nature, fait un
usage immdiat des plantes mdicinales en fonction
de ses besoins thrapeutiques et na pas recours
souvent au schage ; les plantes sches ne
reprsentent que 26 % des recettes recenses. En
outre, 20 % des recettes utilisent des plantes
mdicinales indiffremment de leur tat (vert ou sec).
6. Stades de cueillette. Le stade de cueillette est
un paramtre important dans lefficacit des plantes
mdicinales. En effet, la matire active peut tre
prsente ou pas sur diffrentes priodes de lanne en
fonction des phnophases de la plante considre.
Les stades de rcoltes suivants ont t
obtenus (Fig. 4) : fructification avec 15.4 % des
recettes, floraison 7.6 %, avec graines 5.4 %, stade
juvnile 2 %. Mais, ce paramtre phnologique
semble peu matris par la population rurale, puisque
celle-ci emploie les plantes mdicinales
indiffremment de leurs phnophases (69.4 % des
recettes).
7. Pathologies Traites. Pas moins de 64
maladies sont traites en Kabylie selon notre enqute.
Les maladies les plus frquentes en fonction du
nombre de recettes, au nombre de 22, sont (Fig. 5) :
maux destomac (23 recettes),
dermatoses (13),
maladies de la sphre buccale (10),
grippe et fivre (9),
toux et rhume, problmes cardiaques et maux de
tte (7 recettes chacune) ;
troubles urinaires et rhumatismes (6 recettes
chacune) ;
brlures, manque dapptit, abcs, chute de
cheveux (5 recettes chacune) ;
maladies des yeux, nauses, otites, bronchite,
diabte, diarrhe (4 recettes chacune) ;
plaies, lithiase et dysmnorrhes (3 recettes
chacune).
Les maux destomacs sont ainsi la pathologie la
plus traite par les plantes avec 23 recettes, suivies
des dermatoses avec 13 recettes.
Nous avons class les 64 maladies en 8 groupes
pathologiques, selon le systme organique affect, et
en fonction des pourcentages de recettes rpertories
pour lensemble des plantes comme suit (Fig. 6) :
dermatoses (15 % des recettes), appareil circulatoire
(13.5 %), appareil respiratoire (13.5 %), muscles et
squelette (9 %), appareil uro-gnital (9 %), maladies
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SIPAM 2009
buccales et algies dentaires (8 %), systme nerveux
(5 %) et appareil digestif (1.5 %).
Il apparat clairement que les plantes mdicinales
en Kabylie sont particulirement utilises pour traiter
les dermatoses (15 % des recettes) et les affections
des appareils respiratoire et circulatoire (13.5 % des
recettes chacun).
8. Oprations pharmaceutiques. Il sagit du mode
de prparation de la plante ou dune partie de celle-ci
afin de faciliter son administration au malade. Les
oprations pharmaceutiques utilises par les
populations locales sont varies, puisquune dizaine
doprations pharmaceutiques a t rencontre lors
de cette enqute.
Les parts de recettes rpertories suivant
lopration pharmaceutique pour lensemble des
plantes sont tablies comme suit (Fig. 7) : dcoction
30 %, pilage 20.8 %, pulvrisation 15.2 %, infusion
6.4 %, chauffage 4.8 %, macration 2.8 %,
torrfaction 0.8 %, section 2.8 % et autres 7.6 %. Par
contre, 8.8 % des recettes ne comportent aucune
prparation des plantes mdicinales administres.
Lopration pharmaceutique la plus employe et
la mieux matrise par la population enqute est la
dcoction, avec 30 % des recettes rpertories. Le
mme rsultat a t observ par MEHDIOUI et
KAHOUADJI, (2007) au Maroc.
9. Modes dadministration. Neuf modes
dadministration ont t rencontrs lors de cette tude
(Fig. 8). Ce sont : ingestion orale (49.8 % des
recettes), application locale (18 %), cataplasme (12.8
%), fumigation (7.6 %), gouttes (4.8 %), gargarisme
(4.4 %), mastication (1.6 %), friction (0.6 %) et
suppositoire (0.4 %). Ainsi, la population locale a
recours plusieurs prparations pharmaceutiques, qui
peuvent tre utilises par transit. En effet, prs de la
moiti (49.8 %) des recettes sont prises par ingestion
orale. Selon une tude mene dans la rgion
dOuargla par OULD EL HADJ et al. (2003),
ladministration orale, qui regroupe plusieurs modes
de prparation est galement la plus prconise.
Puis, viennent les modes les plus usuels par voie
externe (friction, cataplasme et surtout application
locale, soit 31.4 % des recettes en tout). Ce qui nest
pas sans liaison avec le grand nombre de maladies
cutanes et dermiques (dermatoses, plaies, brlures)
recenses dans la prsente tude.
10. Vhicules utiliss. Un vhicule est une
substance liquide qui est employe pour faciliter la
prise du remde. On peut citer dans notre tude (Fig.
9) : leau (43 % des recettes), lhuile dolive (10 %),
le vinaigre (3.3 %) et le miel (4 %). Leau est
videmment le vhicule le plus courant dans les
prparations mdicinales traditionnelles selon la
population sonde. Dautre part, leau est le
principal moyen de dilution des sucs extraits des
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :169-179
[Meddour O. et al.,]
plantes mdicinales. Lhuile dolive est employe
dans 10 % des recettes. Toutefois, 33.7 % des
recettes sont prpares sans aucun vecteur,
notamment celles qui sont administres par voie
externe.
11. Autres usages des plantes mdicinales. Les
plantes mdicinales peuvent tre utilises dautres
fins, une mme plante peut avoir la fois 2 ou 3
usages, voire plus. Nous avons list les 7 usages
suivants :
o usage alimentaire, avec 46 % de lensemble
des plantes, comme par ex. les espces spontanes
suivantes :
Arisarum vulgare [Avqouq], dont la racine
est pulvrise et mlange de la semoule pour
prparer du pain en priode de disette ;
Galactites tomentosa [Achikaou], dont les
tiges tendres sont consommes crues en priode de
disette ;
Cynara cardunculus [Thaga], qui est trs
populaire en Kabylie et est consomm dans plusieurs
plats, aussi bien cr que cuit ;
Scolymus hispanicus [Thaghediouth], qui est
galement trs populaire en Kabylie et cultiv pour
ses feuilles basales comestibles et trs prises
(couscous) ;
Sonchus oleraceus [Thifaf], dont les feuilles
et les tiges sont consommes crues (salade) ;
Arbutus unedo [Issisnou], dont les fruits
sont vendus en automne sur les marchs des villes et
sur le bord des routes en campagne ; leur
consommation abusive entrane une sorte divresse ;
Allium triquetrum [Vivras], qui entre dans la
prparation de plusieurs plats en Kabylie ;
Asparagus acutifolius [Iskim], dont les tiges
tendres taient avant consommes en salade ;
Myrtus communis [Chilmoun], les enfants se
rgalent de ses fruits en priode de cueillette des
olives ;
Zizyphus lotus [Azeguar], dont le fruit est
consommable ;
Crataegus monogyna [Idhmime], dont le
fruit est trs estim par les enfants ;
Rubus ulmifolius [Inigel], ses mres
sauvages sont trs apprcies ;
Urtica dioica [Azegdhouf], est utilise en
cuisine traditionnelle, en mlange avec plusieurs
plantes (gouet capuchon, ail, oignon, scolyme
dEspagne, cardon, pinard ).
o usage condimentaire (12 plantes, par ex.
Cuminum cyminum [LKemoun] ; Ocimum basilicum
[Lehvaq] ; Laurus nobilis [Rend], trs prise pour
aromatiser les sauces ; Mentha rotundifolia
[Thimeja] et Mentha pulegium [Felgou], qui sont
ajoutes aux ingrdients lors de la prparation du
pain) ; les graines de Nigella sativa [Zraraa], sont un
condiment du pain ;
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SIPAM 2009
o intrt fourrager (7 plantes), la caroube
[Akharouv] est trs estime par les ovins ; Galactites
tomentosa [Achikaou] est trs brout par les animaux
domestiques, surtout par les nes ; les feuilles de
Fraxinus angustifolia [Aslen], sont trs recherches
pour lalimentation du btail ; les feuilles de
Phillyrea angustifola [Thaloueth ou Thime Thouala],
sont estimes par les ovins ;
o usage cosmtique (3 plantes),
la sve noircissant qui scoule de la tige
brle de Genista ferox [Azezou], tait autrefois
utilise par les femmes comme produit de beaut
pour teinter leurs sourcils ;
les feuilles fraches de Juglans regia
[Thajoujets], sont employes pour amliorer la
couleur de lmail dentaire ;
la poudre des feuilles de Henn Lawsonia
inermis [LHenni], est utilise pour teindre les
cheveux
o usage artisanal (12) ;
o intrt ornemental (4), par ex. Rosa gallica
[Louarde] souvent cultiv dans les jardins comme
plante ornementale.
12. Toxicit des Espces. La grande majorit des
plantes utilises nest pas toxique. Les espces
toxiques voire ltales, malgr les divers dangers
quelles prsentent, sont aussi utilises, mais avec
une grande prcaution par la population rurale qui en
connat la toxicit. Celle-ci nous a signal
notamment,
Ficus carica, dont le latex des figues est
lgrement toxique la consommation,
Anagyris foetida [Oufni], qui est vnneux,
Ecballium elaterium [Afeqous Lehmir],
dont la toxicit est avre en particulier le fruit,
Hyoscyamus niger [Vounarjouf], trs
toxique,
Nerium oleander, amertume et toxicit
notoires.
4-CONCLUSION
Cette enqute ethnobotanique auprs des
populations rurales a permis de constater que la gente
fminine, ge de plus de 45 ans, est la dtentrice de
cette information ethnopharmaceutique tradition-
nelle. Mais, son illettrisme (82 % de la population
sonde) montre lurgence de transcrire ces savoirs et
savoir-faire ancestraux afin de les prserver dune
dperdition irrvocable.
Parmi les rsultats les plus importants relever,
nous pouvons dire qu la suite de cette tude
ethnobotanique, nous avons maintenant une ide plus
prcise sur les plantes mdicinales utilises et sur les
maladies les plus traites par la mdecine
traditionnelle dans la rgion envisage (daras de
Makouda et Ouaguenoun, wilaya de Tizi Ouzou).
Ainsi, nous avons pu recenser 115 plantes
vasculaires appartenant 49 familles botaniques.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :169-179
[Meddour O. et al.,]
Cest une liste non ngligeable puisque les
herboristes occidentaux estiment quune bonne
connaissance de 150 200 plantes mdicinales ou
simples est largement suffisante pour traiter les
affections lgres courantes. A ce propos, les
problmes du transit intestinal sont les plus traits,
suivis de prs par les maux dermiques. La partie
vgtative des plantes mdicinales la plus utilise est
la feuille, eu gard sa disponibilit sur le terrain et
dans le temps. Le stade de cueillette semble peu
matris par la population rurale, puisque celle-ci
emploie les plantes mdicinales indiffremment de
leur phnologie, avec un taux lev de prs de 70 %.
Enfin, les nombreuses observations
thrapeutiques (249 recettes pharmaceutiques et 64
pathologies) peuvent tre utilises pour orienter de
futures recherches dans le domaine clinique ou
chimique mdicale. Dautant que sil existe des
analogies incontestables dans les usages de la flore
mdicinale au Maghreb, il y a de nombreuses
diffrences rgionales dans ces mmes usages, voire
des plantes qui apparemment nont pas fait lobjet
dune quelconque utilisation mdicinale
traditionnelle, tant au Maghreb quen Rgion
Mditerranenne, du moins en ltat actuel de nos
connaissances. Les plantes mdicinales nont pas
encore livres tous leurs secrets en Kabylie
Literature Cited
-CHAIEB I., HARZALLAH-SKHIRI F. et CHEMLI
R. 2000 - Contribution une tude ethnobota-
nique de la flore en Tunisie (cas de la rgion de
Sfax - Tunisie). Prsente dans le cadre des
XIme journes nationales de biologie, Monastir,
du 24 au 26 Mars 2000.
-DPAT, 2005 - Annuaire statistique de la wilaya de
Tizi Ouzou, 2004 - Edition n 20, juin 2005.
-LE FLOCH 1983 Contribution ltude ethno-
botanique de la flore tunisienne.
-MEHDIOUI R. et KAHOUADJI A., 2007 - Etude
ethnobotanique auprs de la population riveraine
de la fort dAmsittne : cas de la commune
dImi nTlit (Province dEssaouira). Bulletin de
linstitut scientifique, Rabat ; section science de la
vie, n 29, pp. 11-20
-OULD EL HADJ M., HADJ-MAHAMMED M. et
ZABEIROU H., 2003 - Place des plantes
spontanes dans la mdecine traditionnelle de la
rgion de Ouargla (Sahara septentrional Est).
Courrier du savoir, n 3, pp. 47-51.
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SIPAM 2009

Tableau 1 : Distribution des frquences de la population sonde en fonction de sexe et de lge

Classes dge (ans) Hommes Femmes

Frquence (%) Frquence (%)
20-45 03 05.4 05 09
45-70 07 12.7 17 30.9
70-95 04 07.3 19 34.5
Total 14 25.45 41 74.54

Tableau 2 : Moyenne des recettes par plante mdicinale selon les familles

Familles Nombre Nombre de Moyenne

despces recettes recettes/espce
Astraces 15 34 2.3
Lamiaces 13 27 2
Liliaces 7 11 1.6

Rosaces 7 15 2.1

Apiaces 6 12 2

Fabaces 5 5 1

Solanaces 5 6 1.2
Olaces 4 12 3
Myrtaces 3 13 4.3
Rutaces 3 6 2
Aristolochiaces 2 9 4.5
Renonculaces 2 5 2.5

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Annexe - Liste des plantes mdicinales rencontres dans la zone dtude

N Espces N Espces N Espces

1 Ajuga iva 40 Erica arborea 79 Picris echioides
2 Allium cepa 41 Eryobotria japonica 80 Pinus halepensis
3 Allium sativum 42 Eryngium tricuspidatum 81 Pistacia lentiscus
4 Allium triquetrum 43 Eucalyptus globulus 82 Populus alba
5 Aloe socotrina 44 Eugenia aromatica 83 Pteridium aquilinum
6 Ammi visnaga 45 Ficus carica 84 Pulicaria odora
7 Anagyris foetida 46 Foeniculum vulgare 85 Punica granatum
8 Arbutus unedo 47 Fraxinus angustifolia 86 Quercus coccifera
9 Arisarum vulgare 48 Galactites tomentosa 87 Rhamnus alaternus
10 Aristolochia altissima 49 Galium aparine 88 Rosa canina
11 Aristolochia longa 50 Genista ferox 89 Rosa gallica
12 Artemisia absinthium 51 Hyoscyamus niger 90 Rubus ulmifolius
13 Artemisia herba-alba 52 Hyoseris radiata 91 Rumex conglomeratus
14 Asparagus acutifolius 53 Inula viscosa 92 Ruta angustifolia
15 Asphodelus aestivus 54 Juglans regia 93 Salvia officinalis
16 Borago officinalis 55 Juncus sp. 94 Sambucus nigra
17 Calamintha officinalis 56 Juniperus oxycedrus 95 Sanguisorba minor
18 Capsicum annuum 57 Lactuca virosa 96 Satureja graeca
19 Centaurea calcitrapa 58 Laurus nobilis 97 Scolymus hispanicus
20 Centaurium erythraea 59 Lavandula stoechas 98 Scrophularia nodosa
21 Ceratonia siliqua 60 Lawsonia inermis 99 Smyrnium olusatrum
22 Ceterach officinarum 61 Lippia citriodora 100 Solanum lycopersicum
23 Chrysanthemum segetum 62 Malva sylvestris 101 Solanum melongena
24 Cistus monspeliensis 63 Marrubium vulgare 102 Solanum tuberosum
25 Citrus aurantium var amara 64 Melissa officinalis 103 Sonchus oleraceus
26 Citrus limon 65 Mentha pulegium 104 Tamarix gallica
27 Clematis cirrhosa 66 Mentha rotundifolia 105 Tamus communis
28 Crataegus monogyna 67 Mentha viridis 106 Taraxacum officinale
29 Cuminum cyminum 68 Myrtus communis 107 Thapsia garganica
30 Cupressus sempervirens 69 Narcissus tazetta 108 Thymus numidicus
31 Cydonia oblonga 70 Nerium oleander 109 Trigonella foenum-
graecum
32 Cynara cardunculus 71 Nigella sativa 110 Ulmus campestris
33 Cynodon dactylon 72 Ocimum basilicum 111 Urtica dioica
34 Cynoglossum pictum 73 Olea europaea var oleaster 112 Vicia faba
35 Cytisus villosus 74 Olea europaea var sativa 113 Viburnum tinus
36 Daphne gnidium 75 Opuntia ficus-indica 114 Vitis vinifera
37 Ecballium elaterium 76 Origanum glandulosum 115 Zizyphus lotus
38 Echinops spinosus 77 Papaver rhoeas

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Meddour O. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Fig. 1. Localisation gographique de la zone dtude

taux

Tiges feuilles 9,5

Ptales 3,2
Tubercules 1,6
Tiges 9,5
Racines 9,5
Produits d'extraction et de secrtion 3,3
Jeunes pousses 8
partie utilise

Graines 9,3
Fruits 9,5
Fleurs et boutons floraux 9,5
Feuilles 12,6
Ecorce du fruit 1,6
Ecorce de la racine 1,6
Ecorce de la tige 4,8
Bulbe 9,5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Fig. 2. Le taux de recettes rpertories selon les parties utilises de la plante

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Meddour O. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Indiffrement; 20

Vert; 54
Sec; 26

Fig. 3. Le taux de recettes rpertories selon ltat dutilisation de la plante

Avec graine 5,4

Stade de rcolte

Fructification 15,4

Floraison 7,6

Stade jeune 2

Indifferent 69,4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Taux

Fig. 4. Le taux de recette rpertorie selon le stade de cueillette de la plante

25
23

20
Nombre de recette

15
13
10

10
9
7

7
6

6
5

5
4

4
3

0
Rhumatismes

Bronchite
Dysmnorrhes
Maladie sphere

Lithiase

Maux de tte

Toux-rhume
Pathologie des
Diarrhe

Chute des

Dermatoses
d'estomac

d'appetit

urinaires

Plaies

Otites

cardiaques
Manque

Diabte

Grippe-Fievre
Abcs

Problmes

Nauses
Troubles

Brlures
cheveux
Maux
buccale

yeux

Maladie

Fig. 5. Nombre de recettes rpertories selon les maladies les plus frquentes

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SIPAM 2009

Muscles et squelette 6

Appareil repiratoire 19
Groupes de maladie

Appareil circulatoire 10,7

Appareil digestif 2,2

Appareil uro-gnitale 10,68

Maladies buccales et algie dentaires 4,3

Systemes nerveux 4,25

Dermatoses 19

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
taux

Fig. 6. Taux de recettes rpertories selon les groupes de maladies

Chauffage 4,8
Dcoction 30
opration pharmaceutique

Infusion 6,4
Macration 2,8
Pilage 20,8
Pulvrisation 15,2
Section 2,8
Torrfaction 0,8
Sans opration pharmaceutique 8,8
Autres 7,6

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
taux

Fig. 7. Taux de recettes rpertories suivant lopration pharmaceutique

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Application locale 18

Cataplasme 12,8
Opration pharmaceutique

En goutte 4,8

Fumigation 7,6

Frottement 0,6

Gargarisme 4,4

Ingestion orale 49,8

Mastication 1,6

Suppositoire 0,4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
taux
Fig. 8. Taux de recettes rpertories suivant le mode dadministration

Vinaigre; 3,23

Eau; 42,97 Sans vhicule; 33,73

Miel; 4
Huile d'huile; 10 Hnn; 6

Fig. 9. Taux de recettes rpertories suivant les vhicules utiliss

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Erteeb F.B et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Salient Remarks on the Attars Shops in Tripoli -Libya

F. B. Erteeb
Faculty of Science, Alfaateh University,
A.M. Iesa and S.Aldali
Environmental General Authority

Abstract:
In the last ten years we noticed the wide spread of Attars shops here and there in Tripoli, the
Libyan capital, making good income from selling medicinal plants and plant products taking
advantage of high demand. Attars shops give unofficial prescriptions and phototherapy at the same
time in the absence of official regulations. Many unknowledgeable people got involved in the
business of Attars only for the sake of money. Therefore, we had thought about studying this
phenomenon and surveying the medicinal plants in these Attara shops. The work consisted of two
parts: visiting the shops, recording information, and getting plant material for comparisons and
scientific identification; and herbarium work conducted at the botany department. We
identified104 specimens out of 248 collected from 14 shops, with their scientific and Arabic,
English, and French common names. About 50% of the collected plant material had both local and
Moroccan origin (divided equally), 10.1 % from Egypt and 2 % Tunis and Alger, 2% from India
and Sudan, and the rest from different sources. Undoubtedly, this cross boundary trade of
medicinal and aromatic plants is a positive socio-economic resource for many people involved in
this process. However, we came with several remarks including negative practices such as
adulteration, nullifications, contamination, and low level of storage. According to these results, the
EGA had arranged two workshops for Attars personnel, one hold in Tripoli, March 2007, and the
other in Baeida, November 2007. More than 100 persons attended these workshops. Later, we had
noticed some improvement in the practices of some Attara shops. All the work documented by
video camera in addition to digital cameras
The human being, from the early history, used medicinal and aromatic plants to cure his
ailment, and gradually became in each society famous individuals who gather and use medicinal
plants for healing. The herbalists were the physicians of villages and towns all over the world. The
old people in mountainous villages and remote places collect medicinal plants during growth
seasons and preserved them by simple means to be available for use in the future. Those people
used to give remedy for the needy with little or no payment, only seeking prayers and forgiveness
from god. Moreover, they might look to their job as a must towards their society. However, useful
plants have already gone beyond the concern of small minorities to become commercial success in
both Europe and America (Mabey, 1988), and all over the world.

1-INTRODUCTION workshop at the faculty of Pharmacy, Alfaateh

There was an idea about studying the trade of
medicinal plants across the boundaries of the
country, but this idea modified as to be suitable for
women since they will conduct the field survey
study. Thus, the study executed inside the country on
a small scale in Tripoli, the capital. The growing
interest in herbs and economically useful plants had
resulted in parallel spread of herbal sellers or in what
usually known as Atara shops in Tripoli, and even in
most of the large cities in the country. Some of those
sellers even started describing prescriptions for the s
people seeking to cure their selves by medicinal and
aromatic plants without any kind of control and they
may lack sufficient experience.
The first author is teaching plant taxonomy and
flora of Libya and usually giving assignments to his
students involving medicinal plants surveys from
time to time and participated by a poster in a local
University (Erteeb et al, 2003). The assignments
aimed to get the scientific names of medicinal plants
available at Attara, their use, malpractices and
origin.. We obtained encouraging results to conduct
this study on a larger scale. The internal trade of
medicinal plants includes local plants, buying and
selling the imported plants, especially from Tunis,
Morocco, and Egypt, and prescriptions from Saudi
Arabia and other countries. Therefore, this study is
due to the following:
1. The wide spread of Attara shops without
official control
2. The involvement of unqualified people in
Attara business having no relation with the use of
medicinal plants in healing or cosmetics resulted in
malpractices.
3. Many plants in the Libyan market imported
from different neighboring and remote countries.

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SIPAM 2009
4. Surveying of medicinal and aromatic plants,
which are available in Attara shops either local or
imported.
5. Identification of the surveyed plants by their
scientific names in addition to local names in
different countries
6. Determining the imported plants, their source,
and possibility of existence locally.
7. Pointing out the malpractices and the
adulteration cases, if any, existing in this trade.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
This survey consisted of two parts. First part, was
a field survey included repeated visits to the Attara
shops conducted by Iesa and Aldali. They collected
information concerning the survey by using
questionnaires prepared for this purpose, and
obtained specimens of the materials sold in those
shops. Sometimes they had to buy these specimens in
order to get the information and have some time with
the Attars. Second part was identification of the
obtained specimens in the herbarium of the botany
department, Faculty of Science at Alfaateh
University. The herbarium facilities such as flora
references, herbarium plant specimens, and the
binocular microscope used in order to achieve the
aims of the study. A digital camera also used to
document the specimens studied.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
During the study, 248 plant materials surveyed
from 14 Attara shops in Tripoli. Only 104 specimens
identified to the species level with the Arabic,
English, and French common names (List 2). The use
of the plant, country of origin, and prices also
recorded. The study revealed that about half of the
material (48.4%) divided equally between Libya and
Morocco, 10.1 from Egypt, 2% from Tunis and
Algeria, 2% from India and Sudan, and 37.5% from
different sources (Fig. 1). In addition, 84 plant oils
and 72 Saudi prescriptions surveyed.
We noticed that some of the Attara shops working
under names as Centers of curing by herbs and
specifying certain days for herbals who work as
clinical physicians with appointments. Of course,
those people are practicing medicine without any
certificate that may give them any title .These
herbalists prescribe medicinal plants to their visitors
on a piece of paper who take their prescription from
the same shop.
From the field and specimen observations under
the microscope, we came out with these remarks:
1. Most of the Attars shops, especially the old
ones, preserve the plant materials in unhealthy
conditions thus their specimens damaged by insects
and mostly expired. So these specimens may cause
diseases instead of curing ailments.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :163-168
[Erteeb F.B et al.,]
2. Most of the specimens are not pure,
contaminated either with some other plants material
or with gravel, shells, or even animal lefts.
3. Some specimens are of poison plants such as
Cleome amblyocarpa (Capparaceae)
4. In some cases, the common name is not
applicable to the plant material and the seller may
prescribe a plant material different from what the
costumer is asking for and used in different way or
for other disease. Here, there may be a big problem
for the user. For example, Eshbet alquowa or
Anjibaris applied for Polygonum bastorta
(Polygonaceae) and Potentilla reptans (Rosaceae).
Another example, the plant species Cytisopsis
pseudocytisus (Fabaceae) sold by the name
Hasheshet Alawaz, but this common name is also
applicable to Potentilla anserium (Rosaceae).
Moreover, Goosefoot fruits sold as Ben nut or Habba
alghaleya. This may be also a kind of malpractice or
adulteration.
5. Lack of experience makes some attars sell
plant materials of the same species under two
different names as one common name from Libya
and the other from Morocco on the basis that the
imported plant material does not exist in Libya. For
example, fruit capsules of Rue (Ruta graveolens,
family Rutaceae) are imported from Morocco under
the name Jamajem Henna and sold very expensive
(25 L.D Libyan Dinar/ 7 capsules) while a bunch of
the same plant is sold for 2.5 L.D. only (table 1).Note
LD = 0.77 U$
6. There are some cases of adulteration as, for
example, selling the dyed corn stigmas as saffron
(Crocus stiva) ` s stigma. In addition, they sell the
ligulae florets of Carthamus tinctoria (Compositae)
as Saffron, because they falsely call this plant species
as or saffron. The true common name of the
Carthamus tinctoria is Kortum.
7. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is still in
the market and prescribed for patients although the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified it as
dangerous.
8. Some medicinal aromatic plants such as
Achillea santolina (Compositae) imported from
Egypt and sold expensively while it does grow in
Libya (Table 2. pict.1).
9. Most of the oil bottles are lacking the name of
neither the manufactured company nor the expiration
date.
10. Some of prescriptions are without full
ingredients, i.e. two or three plants and the statement
and other plants.
11. Some Attars use the holy places, such as
Medina, as trademarks implying the origin of the
material. In fact, the material packed locally and
there are no such companies on the ground.
12. The Attars give no cautions for their sold
material what so ever, in fact they do not no the
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Erteeb F.B et al.,]
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active substances in plants. Actually, they do know . 2000 . .. . . -

only the name of the plant. . .
13. Some of the old shops in the zigzag narrow
city streets put the poisons of insects close to . .2004 . -
medicinal plants and the plant material exposed to . / .
dust and touch by different people. .1990 . -
The findings of this investigation revealed to us
several recommendations to the Environmental . .
General Authority: . . .1999 . -
1. The Attars shops should be under monitoring . -
and observations by the administration of Health and
Environment (AHE) of which EGA is a branch. .2004 . . . -
2. Enforcing of these shops to give the patient an . . .
official receipt indicating the shop` s name, the plants . / . .1998 -
prescribed, and the way of use.
3. The responsible authorities may permit the
selling of herbs only but not giving prescriptions. English References
4. There is a necessity of holding workshops for
presenting the problem and educating the attara -Ali, S. I. , Jafri , S.M. H., and A. A. El-Gadi
personnel and other people. (editors) 1977 1986. Flora of Libya. Al Faateh
The Environmental General Authority responded University, Faculty of Science, Department of
positively and had hold two workshops, one in Botany
Tripoli in March 2007 and the other in Baeida in -Batanouny, K. H. 1999. Wild Medicinal Plants in
October 2007. More than 60 attars and other Egypt. Academy of Scientific Research and
interested people attended these two activities. Also, Technology, Egypt. International Union for
a TV and radio sessions were recorded and appeared Conservation (IUCN), Switzerland.
on the media -Bedevian, A. K. 2006. Illustrated Polyglot tic
Dictionary of Plant Names Madbouli Booshop.
Examples of uncertain specimens Cairo Egypt.
Hasheshet al` awaz -Cronquest, A. 1981. An Integrated System of
The investigation of the specimen revealed that it Classification of Flowering Plants. Columbia
was not Hasheshet al` awaz but Cytlsopsis University Press, New York.
pseudocytisus (Boiss.) Fertig belongs to the family -Keith, H. G. 1965. A Preliminary Check List of
Fabaceae, there is another genus Cytisus, in the same Libyan Flora.
family, with many species of yellow flowers, some of -Kotb, F. 1985. Medicinal Plants in Libya. Arab
it known as Awzal, used to treat the kidneys and Encyclopedia house
getting red of fluids in the body tissues and pockets -Mabey, R. 1988. The New Age Herbalist. Simon &
and weaken heart. Hasheshet al` awaz is Potentilla Schuster Inc. New York, London, Torinto,
reptans in the family Rosaceae with yellow, but Sidney,
regular, flowers also is used as digestive, astringent, -Negre, R. 1961. Petite Flore des Regions Arides du
activating agent, and against convulsion. Maroc Occidental. Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique.
Halhal -Tackholm, Vivi 1970. Students` Flora of Egypt.
The specimen is not pure; it contains gravel, a Cairo University.
seed of Chenopod sp. (Chenopodiaceae), a pink petal -Trease, C. E. and W. C. Evans. 1983. Pharmaco-
and leaves of Helianthemum sp. (Cistaceae), and a gnosy. 13th. edition. Bailler Tindall. London.
calyx of Lamiaceae flower. Therefore, it was Martin, A. C. and W. D. Barkley. 1973. Seed
impossible even to decide what the specimen actually Identification Manual. Second Printing.
is. The vernacular name Halal and Balboos are University of California Press. Berkely, Los
common names applied for some species of the Angeles, and London.
genus Scirpus (Scirpus acutus, S. cernus, S. lacustris)
(Cyperaceae) in Egypt,(Bedevian, 2006; , 2005) .

Literature Cited
Arabic References
. .2005 . -
. .

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Erteeb F.B et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 1. Prices of some imported herbs

No. Scientific name Common name Price LD/kg
1 Hyoscyamus muticus Egyptian henbane 250
2 Achillea santolina Lavander cotton/ Santoline 200
3 Ruta graveolens Rue / Feigel/Jamajem 25 / 5-6 capsules
4 Melilotus officinalis Me`lilot / handgoug 150
5 Geranium robertianum Ge`ranium Robert 150
6 Xanthium stromarium Berrweed /Flampourde 100
7 Verbascum sinuatum Mollen / Mullein 100
8 Chenopodium sp. Goose-foot / Anserine 50

List 1. A list of identified medicinal and aromatic plants.

NO. SCIENTIFIC NAMES COMMON NAMES

1 Geranium robertianm L Herb Robert
2 Cymbopogon schoenanthus L Halfa Bur
3 Verbascum sinuatum L Black leaved Mullein
4 Artemisia glacialis L Silky wormwood
5 Xanthium strumarium L Burrweed
6 Daphne gnidium L Gnidium
7 Myrtus communis L Myrtle
8 Chrysanthemum coronarium L Crown daisy
9 Rosmarinus officinalis L Common rosemary
10 Melilotus officinalis L Melilot trefoil
11 Cleome ambloycarpa Barr and Murh Spider flower
12 Achillea millifolium L. Milfoils
13 Reaumeria hirtella L -----
14 Polygonum bistorta L Bistort
15 Terminalia chebula L Chebulic myrobalan
16 Martricoria chamomilla L Chamomile
17 Betula alba L Birch
18 Allium cepa L. Onion seeds
19 Eruca sativa Nill L. Rocket seeds
20 Daucus carota L. var. sativa Carrot seeds
21 Delphinium ssp Larkspur
22 Berberis vulgaris L. Barberry
23 Orignum majorana L Sweet Marjoram
24 Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Common fennel

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SIPAM 2009

25 Pistacia atlanntica Dest L. Mastic tree

26 Achillea santolina L Santoline
27 Peucednum ostruthium L. Masterwort
28 Ecballium elaterium L. Squirting cucumber
29 Cappanis spinosa L. Capper-bush
30 Viola odorata L. Pansy
31 Centaura behene L. White behene
32 Limonium vulgare Mill. Mud-wort /
33 Lupinus alba L. LUPINE
34 Melissa offlcinalis L. Lemon-balm
35 Mandragora officinarum L. Devil `s apple
36 Reseda odorata L. C. garden mignonette
37 Styrax benzoin L. Benzone
38 Rhus tripartite ( Ucria ) Grande. Sumac
39 Myrtus communis L. Myrtle
40 Teucrinm polium L. Hulwort
41 Sesamum indicum L. Sesame
42 Ruta qraveolens L. Rue
43 Punica granatum L. Pome granate /
44 Gentiana lutea L. Gentian
45 Myrsitica fragans L. Nutmeg
46 Astragalus sp Astragal
47 Cynosuus esculentus L. Earth Almond
48 Moringa peregrine (Forsk.) Fiori Ben nut
49 Lepidium sativum L. Garden cress
50 Nigella sativa L. Black cumin
51 Jatropha curcas L. Spurge
52 Solenostemma arghel ( Del ) L. Argel
53 Peganum harmala L. PEGA
54 Cuscuta planiflora Ten L. Dodder /
55 Urtica urens L. Nettle
56 Humulus lupulus L. Common hop
57 Pulmonaria offcinalis L. Lungwort
58 Tussilago hybrida L. Coltsfoot
59 Archangelica officinalis L. Angelica
60 Potentilla anserine L. Silver weed
61 Periploca angustifolia -----
62 Trigonella foenum graceum L. Foeno-Greek
63 Ferula assa foetida L. Assa-foetida
64 Cymbopogn proximus L. Halfa Bur
65 Rumex vesicarius L. Garden sorrel
66 Lawonia inermis L. Henna /Henne
67 Citrullus colocynthis L. Colocynth
68 Malva sylvestris L . Dwarf Mallow
69 Brassica nigra L. Black Mustard

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SIPAM 2009

70 Cynara corduncellus L. Prickly Artichoke

71 Ceratonin siligua carob L. Carob
72 Ricinus communis L. Castor oil
73 Lavandula officinalis L. True Lavender
74 Althea oftrcinalis L. Marshmallow
75 Ammi visnaga L. Pick-tooth
76 Ammi majus L. Bishop` s weed
77 Atractylis cancnellata L Distaff thistle
78 Cyperus rotundus L. Nut-grass
79 Hyoscyamus albus L Egyptian henbane
80 Salvadora persica L Tooth brush
81 Hieracium pilosella L. Mouse ear
82 Rubia tinctroria L Madder
83 Acacia nilotica L Fruit of Acacia ssp.
84 Piper cubeba L Cubeb pepper
85 Rhus tripartite ( Ucria ) Grande L Sumac
86 Commefora molmol L Myrrah

Figure 1: Percent country contribution to the herbal market in Tripoli

Picture 1. Achillea santolina

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Adel Nadjib Ch. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Les Plantes Mdicinales de la Steppe Algrienne du Genre Pituranthos

Adel Nadjib Chaker ; Mostapha Dahia ; Hocine Laouar & Rima Haichour
Laboratoire de valorisation des ressources naturelles Facult des sciences, Dpartement de biolog
Universit Ferhat Abbs Stif, Algrie - chakeran@yahoo.fr

Rsum :
En vue de dterminer des relations existant entre lhomme et les plantes dans les rgions
steppiques en Algrie (Djelfa, Boussada et Msila), des recensements sur lensemble des espces
vgtales qui poussent ltat sauvage ont t faits par ltude dchantillons pris au hasard et la
collection des plantes quon place dans un herbier. Une enqute sur terrain a t faite en
collaboration avec de nombreuses personnes ayant une relation avec lutilisation de ces plantes
pour des fins thrapeutiques comme les gurisseurs, les herboristes, les bergers, et les simples
citoyens. En effet, notre tude a inclus la dfinition du terme steppe ainsi que la dfinition de la
steppe Algrienne concernant principalement les zones tudies (Djelfa, Boussada et Msila),
leurs caractristiques et leurs positionnements dans leur contexte climatique de temprature et de
prcipitation dans le but de lidentification du climat vital.
Une liste de plantes mdicinales qui poussent dans la rgion a t tablie, comprenant 110
espces, reprsentant ainsi plus de 45% de lensemble des plantes recenses, distribues entres les
diffrents modles vitaux, utilises des fins thrapeutiques ou bien dans le rgime alimentaire,
ainsi que dans lartisanat et la construction. Cela indique quil existe une biodiversit importante
dans les rgions arides et semi-arides en Algrie. Cette biodiversit peut tre investie par la
ralisation dune liste de diffrentes espces dans leurs environnements spcifiques et
lamlioration de varits contenant des matriaux naturels ou utilises dans lartisanat par les
citoyens locaux. Par ailleurs, ces plantes reprsentent une source importante de l'alimentation
animale.
Pour ltude dtaille, nous avons-nous avons choisi les espces les plus importantes du genre
Pituranthos endmiques du nord de lAfrique.
Mots cls : biodiversit, steppes, plantes mdicinales, genre Pituranthos, valorisation des
ressources vgtales.

1-INTRODUCTION terres nues (suite une craliculture alatoire), et la

Depuis longtemps, les hommes se sont proc-
cups des ressources naturelles surtout vgtales
pour leur utilisation des fins thrapeutiques,
cosmtiques, alimentaires et autres. La steppe
algrienne renferme de vastes superficies dont plus
de 20 millions dhectares qui nont pas t encore
exploits jusqu' prsent malgr leur richesse en
plantes particulires comme Alfa, Shih, Quezzeh et
autres. Ces plantes sont importantes de par leur
utilisation comme plantes mdicinales pour le
traitement curatif et prventif de diverses maladies. et
comme ressources fourragres importantes. En fait,
la production des fourrages naturels des steppes est
estime 1,3 milliard dunits, soit lquivalent de
1,3 millions de tonnes dorg, donc rapportant 12,5
milliard de dinars annuellement (selon la
Conservation Gnrale du Dveloppement des
Steppes).
Rappelons que la dsertification des zones
steppiques rsulte de l'interaction de facteurs
d'origine aussi bien naturelle qu'anthropique. C'est
un phnomne complexe, difficile apprhender
dans son intgralit. Les critres de diagnostic sont
multiples et varis, comprenant la disparition du
tapis vgtal (d essentiellement au surpturage), la
rgression de la richesse floristique, l'extension des
gnration de paysages dsertiques aux dpens de
parcours de pturage.
Dans cette optique, nous avons tabli un
inventaire des vgtaux qui poussent dans les steppes
centrales Algriennes ainsi quune liste des espces
vgtales utilises des fins thrapeutiques, en tenant
compte des caractristiques climatiques de ces zones.
Lespce Quezzeh a t choisie pour ltude comme
un exemple typique des plantes mdicinales
endmiques des rgions tudies.
2- LA STEPPE ALGERIENNE
Dfinition et Limites
Le terme steppe voque d'immenses tendues plus
ou moins arides, relief peu accus, couvertes d'une
vgtation basse et clairseme. Pour le phyto-
gographe, il s'agit de formations vgtales basses et
ouvertes, domines par des espces prennes,
dpourvues d'arbres, et o le sol nu apparat dans des
proportions variables Quezel (1965).
Ainsi la steppe Algrienne se prsente comme
une vaste bande rgionale s'tendant de la frontire
tunisienne la frontire marocaine sur 1 000
kilomtres de long et 300 kilomtres de large, elle
couvre une superficie d'environ 20 millions

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d'hectares (Djellouli 1990). La steppe a t divise
selon sa composition floristique, selon la nature du
sol et le climat ou bien selon la vgtation dominante
comme la steppe Alfa, la steppe Armoise et la
steppe Arthrophytum scoparium (Kabeche 1994).
Au nord de lAfrique, Quezel a dfini les steppes en
tant que vastes superficies recouvertes de plantes
vivaces, ouvertes, dpourvues darbres, domines par
des plantes superficielles permanentes. Sous leffet
de surpturage et de lagriculture, la steppe est
expose au risque de dsertification Belakhdar
(2003).
La steppe Algrienne se localise entre deux
chanes de montagnes en loccurrence, entre lAtlas
tellien au Nord et lAtlas Saharien au Sud, elle est
compose de deux sries:
Les steppes de louest, composes des steppes
sud oranaises et les steppes sud algroises o la
diminution de laltitude commence partir de 1200
m louest jusqu el Hodna au centre.
Les Steppes de l'Est, situes lEst del Hodna,
sont composes de steppes des hautes plaines sud
constantinoises limites par les montagnes des Aurs
et Nemamcha (Nedjraoui 1981).
Les diffrentes steppes Algriennes sont
distingues principalement par la pluviomtrie, Elles
sont limites au Nord par lisohyte 400 mm qui
concide avec lextension des cultures cralires et
au Sud, par lisohyte 100 mm qui reprsente la
limite mridionale de lextension de lalfa (Stipa
tenacissima). Les tages bioclimatiques stalent du
semi aride infrieur frais au peri aride suprieur frais
La Fig. 1 montre les limites des steppes Algriennes.
Les caractristiques climatiques des steppes
algriennes
Le climat des steppes se caractrise en gnral par
une pluviosit la fois faible et irrgulire. Celle-ci
prsente une variation spatio-temporelle trs
importante et oscille entre 100 et 400 mm
gnralement sous forme de pluies violentes
(orages). Le Hourou (1995) confirme que les
prcipitations ont lieu dans la priode Octobre-A de
lanne, et sont gnralement insuffisantes pour les
cultures. Khelifa (1988) indique que les rgions
steppiques se caractrisent par la frquence des
geles dans la priode hivernale alors que la priode
estivale est chaude sous linfluence continentale des
altitudes.
Dans les hautes plaines, le nombre de jours de
gele est de 40 60 jours par an. Dans les rgions
daltitude infrieure 900m, les geles ont lieu entre
Octobre et Mai, puis elles sont suivies par des vents
violents. Alors que les vents dhiver occasionnent des
dgts importants, le vent estival (sirocco) soufflant
du Sahara est encore plus catastrophique. Cest un
vent chaud trs desschant qui souffle de 20 30
jours par an et a des effets pervers sur la vgtation.
Dans lAtlas Saharien, le nombre de jours de neige
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :155-161
[Adel Nadjib Ch. et al.,]
dpasse 10 jours par an, les minima infrieurs 0
sont enregistrs en Dcembre et Janvier, alors que les
maxima sont enregistrs au mois de Juillet.
Les versants de lAtlas Saharien sont exposs
des courants dsertiques, avec des ts longs et
chauds, et une moyenne hivernale de prs de 3 C et
de fortes amplitudes thermiques.
Caractres Gnraux des Zones dEtude
Le choix a t fait sur deux wilayas Djelfa et
Msila pour recenser les plantes et ltablissement
dune liste des espces utilises dans la mdecine
traditionnelle. A El Djelfa (Fig. 2), lenqute a t
ralise dans les quatre stations suivantes (Fig. 1):
(a) Had Sahary situe dans la partie nord-est de la
wilaya ; (b) El Mesrane au Nord-Ouest de la wilaya ;
(c) Charef situ au Nord de la wilaya ; (d) Messaad
situ au sud de la wilaya.
Comme pour toutes les zones steppiques
Algriennes, le pturage constitue lactivit
principale et lagriculture lactivit secondaire dans
ces stations. Le surpturage a conduit lappauvris-
sement des parcours.
Dans la wilaya de Msila, les stations choisies
sont (Fig. 3): (a) Ouled Sidi Ibrahim ; (b) Boussada;
(c) Ain Oghrab ( Djbel Msad) ; et (d) Ain Fares.
Les plantes qui couvrent ces zones sont
steppiques avec la prsence de plantes endmiques
comme Saccocalyx serratuloide, Hypecoum geslini,
lexception de la zone Ain Oghrab domine par des
forts de Pinus halepensis, Juniperus phoenicea et
autres espces. Dans les zones situes au voisinage
de Chott et Hodna, se trouvent les plantes halophytes
comme Salsola vermiculata, Suaeda fruticosa,
Atriplex halimus et autres.
3- LA METHODE DETUDE DES PLANTES
MEDICINALES
Nous avons tout dabord procd linventaire
des plantes qui composent la flore des zones tudies
par le biais du recensement sur lensemble des
plantes dans les wilayas de Djelfa et Msila. Ensuite,
nous avons men une enqute sur terrain pour
dterminer, les plantes mdicinales et autres types
de plantes. Ces enqutes sont soit des entretiens
individuels soit des entretiens de groupe en
collaboration avec de nombreuses personnes ayant
une relation avec lutilisation de ces plantes pour des
fins thrapeutiques comme les gurisseurs, les
herboristes, les bergers, et les simples citoyens.
L'outil de travail est un questionnaire avec des
questions fermes et prcises et un guide d'entretien
utilis lors des enqutes informelles et contenant les
grandes ides dbattre avec les individus enquts.
On leur a demand de rpondre certaines questions
telles que :
Existe t il des cas de plantes utilises dans le
traitement dune ou de plusieurs maladies ? Quelle
sont les noms de ces plantes? Et quelle partie de la
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 Actes du sminaire international
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SIPAM 2009
plante avez-vous utilis ? Pour quel genre de
maladie? Quelles sont les quantits des extraits
utilises ? Citez les tapes de la prparation ? Quelle
est la dure de lutilisation ? Quelle est la dose ? Et
combien de fois par jour ? Est ce quelle est efficace
pour le traitement ? Est-ce que ces plantes ont
dautres effets ? Lannexe 1 contient linventaire des
taxons vgtaux dans les zones tudies.
Nous avons constat que les espces vgtales
sont rparties entre les diffrents types biologiques
qui sont des Champhytes avec un pourcentage de
18,56%, des Throphytes avec un pourcentage de
46,41% et des Gophytes (diffrentes proportions).
Ces rsultats montrent la diversit vgtale qui
caractrise la flore des zones tudies. Dans leur
majorit, ces plantes appartiennent plus de 38
genres. On peut utiliser ces genres et les amliorer
pour exploiter les substances vgtales actives et
dvelopper les ressources vgtales. Comme exemple
des plantes mdicinales endmiques, nous avons
choisi dtudier lespce communment connue sous
le nom de Guezzeh, reprsentant le genre
Pituranthos.
Origine de la Nomenclature
Cette espce a t cite pour la premire fois par
ABI EL KHAIR EL ICHBILI dans son livre intitul
Omdat el Tabib fi Marifate e Nabat il a nomm
lespce aljn, tandis que IBN BAYTAR a nomm
cette espce Guezzeh , Il a soulign qu'il existait
en Tunisie et en Egypte (Belakhder 1997). Selon
W.S. BENISTON ( 1985 ) , le terme Pituranthos
drive des racines grecques anthos qui signifie la
fleur et pituron qui signifie la voix du bl.
Classification des Pituranthos
Les Pituranthos appartiennent la famille des
Apiaces (Ombellifres) qui leur, de la classe des
Magnoliopsida et du Phyllum des Angiospermes.
Quezel et Santa (1962-1963) confirment lexis-
tence de 4 genres de plantes endmiques spcifiques
l'Afrique du Nord, qui comportent les espces
suivantes : (a) Pituranhos reboudii (Coss. et Dur.)
Benth. et Hook; (b); P. scoparius (Coss. et Dur.)
Benth. et Hook; (c) P. battandieri Maire ; (d) P.
chloranthus Benth. et Hook.
Quezel a not que les Ombellifres sahariennes
sont diffrentes les unes des autres et leur
identification n'offre pas de grandes difficults, alors
que la distinction entre les espces de Pituranthos est
souvent difficile. En effet, ces espces ne se
distinguent les unes des autres que par la couleur des
fleurs et la taille de leur pdoncule.
Nomenclature
Diffrentes appellations algriennes Arabe ou
Berbre ont t cites pour des plantes spontanes.
Trabut (2006) a numr les espces du genre
Pituranhos comme suit :
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :155-161
[Adel Nadjib Ch. et al.,]
P. chloranthus Kessou- Koziya- Kissa-Jayda-
Zaza
P. fallax Tadayte
P. rohlfianus Quezate el Hamir
P. scoparius Tatachte- Quaza- kahayaz
P. tortuosus Karaoui-Quezzeh-Sakouh-Quaziche
Description Botanique et Rpartition
Plusieurs rfrences ont t utilises, y compris
Quezel et Santa (1968-1963) ; (Djbaili 1970) ;
Ozenda (1982).
P. scoparius
Les tiges de cette espce sont ramifies seulement
en haut, simples et en parallle entre elles en parties
inferieures. Elles portent des ombelles avec de petits
entre-noeuds (1-3cm), Au niveau des noeuds sur la
tige, apparaissent des fleurs blanches minuscules de
diamtre 3 4 cm. Cette espce dans les prairies
cailleuses, et au sahara EL GHAYER, SAOURA,
Boussada, Biskra, etc.. Cest une plante endmique
de lAfrique du Nord. Negre (1961-1962) a dfini
lespce comme avoisinante de la plante de Genista,
dpourvue de feuilles alors quelle possde des tiges
portantes des entre-noeuds et de petit fruits (Fig. 4).
P. chloranthus
L'espce Pituranthos chloranthus (Coss et Dur)
Benth et Houk, selon Ozenda, est une plante dont les
tiges sont ramifies ds la base, plus ou moins
dichotomes et portant des ombelles longuement
pdoncules; des ptales verdtres nervures
dorsales pubescentes et larges, et des fruits poilus
(Fig. 5).
L'espce Pituranthos chloranthus est commune
dans tout le Sahara septentrional et occidental jusqu'
EL Golea et Tademait au sud. Elle couvre les
parties dsertiques de la Mauritanie, du Maroc, de
l'Algrie, la Tunisie et l'Ouest de la Libye Ozenda
(1991-2004). La longueur du fruit est de 2 mm au
lieu de 1 mm chez la sous-espce intermedius Chev
ssp. Elle possde la mme rpartition gographique
de lespce prcdente sauf quelle peut atteindre la
frontire de Tademait au Sud.
P. reboudii
Cette espce a des tiges rampantes, dune
longueur de 10 20 cm, leurs bases boises partir
desquelles plusieurs grappes de feuilles se ramifient
une ou deux fois, avec une longueur de 1 3 cm
(Fig. 6).
P. battandieri
Feuilles persistantes dbutantes de la base des
tiges, cette dernire est fine et ramifie, couleur vert
clair, endmique au Sahara marocain et l'Oranie
(Ozenda 1991-2004)
Le diagramme floral est 5S+5P+5E+2C. Le fruit
est shizocarpe. La floraison de cette plante dbute
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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
juste aprs les premires pluies de la saison
automnale selon N.T et W.S. BENISTON (1985).
Ecologie
De nombreuses tudes indiquent que les
diffrentes espces de Quezzeh se trouvent dans des
environnements et associations vgtales diffrentes,
signalant lobservation de Halitim (1988) qui indique
quil est difficile de faire une relation entre lespce
et la nature du sol, surtout dans les zones steppiques,
car la relation sol-vgtation intresse seulement
lhorizon superficiel du sol.
Quezel (1954) signale lexistence de Pituranthos
scoparius dans lassociation Sclerocephalus
arabicus, Fagonia viscosa et lassociation Cassia
aschreak et Panicum turgidum dans le sud Algrien
( el HOGGAR). Ainsi on le trouve dans les oueds.
Usages Traditionnels
L'espce Pituranthos chloranthus est appele
localement Guezzeh, d'aprs Gatefoss (1921), le
Pituranthos chloranthus est employ, en cataplasmes
sur la tte, contre les cphales.
Les huiles obtenues des tiges et des graines du
Pituranthos scoparius sont largement utilises
comme remde contre le rhumatisme et la fivre
(Shaker et al., 1999).
Novak et al. (1986) assurent que les espces
triradiatus et tartuosus, sont utilises par la
population bdouine pour traiter les douleurs
d'estomac, les parasites intestinaux ou comme agent
rgulateur de la menstruation chez les femmes.
Dans les rgions steppiques, les leveurs des
bovins traitent leurs animaux par la vaporisation des
plantes de Pituranthos chloranthus contre les
maladies dermatologiques (Dahia et al., 2007). Dans
la rgion de Djanet au sud Algrien, Benchelah et al.
(2000) ont remarqu que les citoyens utilisent cette
plante dans le traitement des morsures de scorpion et
comme pice des viandes et fromages.
Toxicit du Quezzah
Les nomades connaissent le pouvoir allergisant
lev des plantes du genre Pituranthos pour les
animaux, en priode de floraison.
En effet, le pollen des espces chloranthus et
scoparius engendrent des ophtalmies graves, quand il
pntre dans les yeux des animaux (Poey et al.,
1970). Le dromadaire en particulier y est trs
sensible. Trs allergisant, ce pollen rend les animaux
aveugles pendant plusieurs jours. Les nomades
traitent ces ophtalmies en instillant dans les yeux du
dromadaire du jus de tabac ou en introduisant du sel
sous les paupires.
Literature Cited
-Bellakhdar J. 2003. Le Maghreb travers ses
plantes. Ed. Le Fennec, Casablanca, 198p
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :155-161
[Adel Nadjib Ch. et al.,]
-Bellakhdar J.1997. La pharmacope marocaine
traditionnelle. Mdecine arabe ancienne et
savoirs populaires, Ed. Ibis Press, Paris, 764p.
-Benchalah A. C., Bouziane H., Maka M. et Ouahes
C. 2000. Fleurs du Sahara. Voyage
thnobotanique avec les Touareg du Tassili. IBIS
Press et Atlantica, Paris, pp.105-106.
-Dahia M., Laouer H., chaker A. N., Prado S.,
Meierhenrich U.J. et Baldovini N. 2007.
Chemical compsition and antibactirial activity of
Pituranthos chloranthus volatile oil .Nat. Prod.
Com., Vol.2, n.11,pp.1159-1162.
-Djebaili S. (1984) Steppe algrienne. Phytosocio-
logie et cologie. O.P.U., Alger, 198 p.+
annexes.
-Djebaili S.1978.Etude phyto-cologique des
parcours de Tadmit. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afr.
Nord, 61, 3-4, pp.175-225.
-Gattefoss R. M.1937. Aromathrapie. Les huiles
essentielles, hormones vgtales. Librairie des
sciences Girardot &Cie, Paris, P.23.
-Halitim A. 1988.Sols des rgions arides dAlgrie.
O.P.U. (Algrie), 523p.
-Kaabche M. 1990. Les groupements vgtaux de la
rgion de Bou Saad (Algrie). Essai de synthse
sur la vgtation steppique du Magreb. Thse de
Doctorat en science, Universit de Paris-Sud,
centre dOrsay, 93p. +bibliographie.
-Khelifa M.1988.La steppe Algrienne. Sans diteur.
-Le Houerou H. N.1995. Bioclimatologie et
biogographie des steppes arides nord de
lAfrique. Diversit biologique, dveloppement
durable et dsertification. Option Mdit., srie B,
N 10, CIHEAM, 408p. 8
-Nedjraoui D. 1981.Teneurs en lments biognes et
valeur nergtique dans trois principaux facis de
vgtation dans les hautes plaines steppiques de
la wilaya de Saida. Thse Doct. 3me cycle,
USTHB, Alger, 156p.
-Ozenda P. 1991. Les organismes vgtaux.
Vgtaux suprieurs. 2 Vol., T. 2, Editions
Masson, Paris, p.209.
-Poey J., Pieri F. et Mrabet N.1970. Etude dune
ombellifre saharienne, Pituranthos scoparius .
Toulouse Pharmaceut., pp.53-58.
-Quezel P. 1965.La vgtation du sahara du Tchad
la Mauritanie. Gustav Fisher Verlag-Stuttgart,
Band II, p. 101 et suivantes.
-Shaker A.N, Laouer H. et Dahia M. 1999. Usages
des plantes mdicinales dans la rgion de Bou-
sada (Algrie). Revue Md. Pharm. Afr. Vol.13,
pp 81-89.
-Trabut L. 2006. Noms indignes des plantes
dAfrique du Nord. Ed. IIbis Press, Paris,
pp.205-206.
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Figures

Les limites des steppes Algriennes Source : Nedjraoui ; 2005

Fig. 1. Dlimitation des steppes algriennes

Les zones de recensement des plantes dans la wilaya de Djelfa
Source : Institut National Des Recherches Forestires de Djelfa.2006

Fig. 2. Les zones tudies la wilaya de Djelfa.

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Fig. 3. Les zones tudies la wilaya de Msila
Source : la conservation des forts de Msila (1993)

Fig. 4. Pituranhos scoparius

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(a)(b)(c)(d)


(a) Les Tiges de P.scoparius
(b) Une Branche fleurie de P. scoparius
(c) La fleur de P. scoparius
(d) Le fruit de P. scoparius

Fig. 5.Pituranthos chloranthus

Fig. 6. Une branche fleurie de P. reboudii

(a) (b)
(a) une branche fleurie de Pituranthos chloranthus
(b) le fruit de Pituranthos chloranthus

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [El-Gengaihi S. et al.,]
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Herbal Medicine as adjunct treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Souad El-Gengaihi
Medicinal and Aromatic plants Department and Complementary Medicine Department
NRC 12311 Dokki- Cairo Egypt

Mochira Abd Elsalam

Complementary Medicine Dept. N.R.C. Egypt

Abstract:
The earliest recorded treatment for diabetic mellitus involved the use of plants. The papyrus
Ebres of 1550 BC recommended a high fiber diet of wheat grains and ochre. A multitude of herbs,
spices and other plant materials have been described for the treatment of diabetes through the
world, Day and Baily 1988. Since the availability of insulin, folklore medicines for diabetes have
almost disappeared in occidental societies, although they continue to be the cornerstone of therapy
in under developed countries.
Renewed attention to alternative medicines and natural therapies has stimulated a new wave of
research interest in traditional practices, and the world health organization expert committee on
diabetes has listed as one of its recommendations that traditional methods of treatment for diabetes
should be further investigated, WHO, 1985.
Baily and Day 1989 demonstrated that more than 400 traditional plant treatments for diabetes
mellitus have been recorded, but only a small number of them have received scientific and medical
evaluation to assess their efficacy A hypoglycemic action from some treatments has been
confirmed in animal models and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Various hypoglycemic
compounds have been identified.
Baily and Day 1989 stated that botanical substitute for insulin seems unlikely, but traditional
treatments may provide valuable clues for the development of new oral hypoglycemic agent and
simple dietary adjusts.
Many plants have proven anti-diabetic activity clinically and on experimental animal's model.
Bitter gourd fruits received much attention and are widely used by patients in different countries
worldwide. In our laboratory and with the aid of one of the greatest pharmaceutical companies, a
new method was adopted to isolate the active polypeptide mimic insulin in its structure and action
and tablet was formulated from it. A clinically trails was performed on 60 patient
suffering type II diabetes. The results obtained revealed that MC can be used as an effective oral
adjunct hypoglycemic with no reported side effects.
It is advisable to continue treatments for <4 weeks for possible tapering of the conventional
hypoglycemic.
It has been possible to stop insulin therapy in 7 week time in one of the case treated with the
tablets
On the other hand different plants were tried and proved to have antidiabetic activity like,
Balanites aegyptiaca,, stevia rebaudiana, tamaridus Indic seeds, and Galega officinalis on animal
models.

1-INTRODUCTION recommended this alternative treatment (Walt and

Diabetes mellitus ranks highly among the top ten
of disorders caused mortality throughout the world,
(Kuang et al., 1992; Liu and Lee 1992). With the
rapid advancement of medicine, treatments without
side effect for long term control of this disorder
became important. Alternative therapies have also
received attention recently. A growing public interest
in herbal medication of this disease has been raised
around the world. It is the so-called complementary
and/or supplementary medicine. Application of
medicinal plants in the control of this disorder has
renewed and the WHO expert committee on diabetes
Wood 1988, WHO 1980).
Before the application of insulin in 1922, herbs
and starvation diet were the main tools in controlling
diabetes. The miracle effect of insulin replaced them
and became the most popular substance even now.
Actually, insulin is life saver but it is not a cure-all
(Day, 1988). Insulin resistance and the less control of
neuropathy complication in diabetes patients
receiving insulin treatment encouraged the
development of alternative medication.

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2-HERBAL TREATMENT
More than 400 plants and plant extracts have been
recorded for the treatment of diabetes. Only a small
number of these plants received scientific and
medical evaluation to assess their efficacy. A
hypoglycemic action from some treatments has been
confirmed in animal models and non-insulin-
dependent diabetic patients. Various hypoglycemic
compounds have been identified.
Baily and Day 1989 stated that botanical
substitute for insulin seems unlikely, traditional
treatments may provide valuable clues for the
development of new oral hypoglycemic agent and
simple dietary adjuncts.
The oral hypoglycemic drug biguanide, is
originally obtained from the herb of French lilac
(goat's rue). Guanidine was contained in the flower of
the French lilac, named Galega officinalis. Alkyl
biguanide was derived to lower the toxicity of
guanidine, where then phenoformin and metaformin
were prepared. In clinic, metformin is still used till
now (cidophage).
A lot of active principles were identified using the
screen of plasma glucose lowering activity. Volatile
oil of allyl propyl disulphide and diallyl disulphide
form Allium cepa was found to be effective in the
presence of insulin only. Tecomine and tecostamine
extracted from the leaves of Tecoma stans were
proved to lower plasma glucose in rabbits. From the
leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus, neomyrtillin can
increase insulin sensitivity in addition to reliable
hypoglycemic activity. However these principles
failed to develop as therapeutic agent because some
of them are alkaloidal in nature and are toxic (Juei-
Tang Cheng, 2003).
Treatment of diabetes requires careful, continuous
monitoring and accordingly consumption of herbal
medicine may compromise such care. However when
plants with potential medicinal effects are those
routinely used as food, it is obviously useful and
empowering for the patient to be aware of such
possibilities. (Algert et al., 1990). Thus dietary barley
grain may be beneficial for people with diabetes, and
this being attributed to provision of increased
chromium as well as of -glucan fiber.
Many plants from a wide range of families have
hypoglycemic effects. Notable families are those
provide species used in human diet i.e. Cucurbitaceae
cucumber gourd, leguminoseae (beans, chickpea and
other legumes), Liliaceae (garlic and onion)
Theaceae (green tea) and Lamiaceae (basil and sage).
So, the lecture will concentrate on edible or
medicinal plants used as spices, culinary; which
proved to have hypoglycemic activity for two
reasons; no toxic activity on consumption of these
plants were obtained and also no, side effects.
Villasenor and Lamadrid, (2006) reported that
Syzygium cumini and Eucalyptus tereticornis
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :145-151
[El-Gengaihi S. et al.,]
exhibited antihyperglycemic activity when fed
simultaneously with glucose.
Jung et al. (2006) reported that M.charantia,
Pterocarpus marsuplam and Trigonella are beneficial
for treatment of type II diabetes. Ashmi Patel (1999-
2000) used fenugreek seeds which are widely
consumed as food products and as treatment for
diabetes in Asia and Africa.
Fenugreek powdered seeds 15 gm when added to
an oral glucose tolerance test solution to 21 patients
with type II diabetes, significantly reduced post
prandial glucose level at 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes.
(The seeds were added to the meal). Another
experiment by Sharma et al. (1991) incorporated 25
gm of seeds of fenugreek into the meal of 5 type 2
diabetes patients for 3 weeks. They found significant
improvements in fasting and post prandial glucose
level and serum cholesterol level.
Ginsing is well known to be good tonic for health
care. With two dimentional regulation to blood
glucose (to lower hyperglycemia and rise
hypoglycemia not to influence normal blood glucose
level) many active constituents have been isolated
and some preparation of ginsing have been developed
and used in clinical treatment of diabetes in China, Li
et al. (2004). The extracts of all parts of ginsing are
of antihyperglycemic effect Chung et al. (2001) Xie
et al. (2002), Saponins are one of the active
principles Jang et al. (2001) and some of them were
isolated and clinically confirmed to be bioactive for
anti-diabetic and anti-diabetic complications.
The mechanism is to regulate the activity of
enzymes related to glucose metabolism either
directly or indirectly, inhibition of the renal disorder,
and to promote insulin secretion.
Grains of Barley (Hordium vulgare L) are used as
an antidiabetic prescription to strengthen the stomach
and improve digestion. It also seems to mobilize
insulin in NIDDM. (Shukla et al., 1991).
Garlic and onion members of the family liliaceae
can stimulate in vitro insulin secretion for -cells of
pancreatic islet and increase liver glycogen synthesis.
Augusti and sheela 1996, Kumari et al., 1995.
Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadeaceae) is a
promising plant to be developed into a new drug for
diabetes therapy. G54 and extract from the leaves of
Gymnama sylvestre has an excellent effect in
controlling hyperglyceamia of both types 1 and 2
diabetes patients, Miyatake et al. 1994.
The extract of Catharanthus roseus leaves has
remarkable effects to lower blood glucose. The
medicinal preparations of this plant have been
developed to treat diabetes in clinic instead of the use
of insulin in Eastern Asia and Southern Africa. The
active constituents are alkaloids (De and Saha 1975).
The natural sweetner, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
has been used to treat diabetes for many parts and in
different countries. Stevioside stimulate insulin
secretion via a direct action of cell of pancreatic
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islet and is considered to have potential of becoming
a new antidiabetic drug for use in type 2 diabetes.
Jeppesen et al. 2000, 2002 and Abdel Hamid, 2005.
Psidium guajava, aqueous extract of leaves has a
good effect in lowering blood glucose, Deguchi et
al., (1998) due to the flavonoid glycosides, which
have been used in clinical treatment of diabetes by
improving the sensitivity of insulin, (Maruyama et
al., 1985).
3-IMPROVEMENT IN CLINICAL STUDIES :
The case of Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia L. bitter gourd, bitter
melon, karela bitter cucumber.
To date close to 100 in vivo studies have
demonstrated the blood sugar lowering effect of
bitter gourd fruit. The fruit have also shown the
ability to enhance cell uptake of glucose, to promote
insulin release and to potentiate the effect of insulin.
Bitter gourd has been world widely
ethnomedically used as hypoglycemic in Brazil,
china, Cuba, India, Mexico Nicaragua, Panama, Peru,
Leslie Taylor 2005 and 2006.
Substantial work has been done on and
documented the positive hypoglycemic activity of
Momordica charantia on diabetic laboratory animals
(Akhtar et al. 1981, Hisachi et al. 1998, Sandlgya et
al. 2000, Miura et al. 2001, Virdi et al. 2003,
Chaturveda 2005, Sathishsekar and Subramanian,
2005 Yibehok-Anum et al., 2006, and El-Batran et
al., 2006).
However relatively few reports are available on
its activity on humans. (Srivastava et al. 1993) in a
clinical part of their study on two groups of patients,
gave the first group sun dried fruit of MC three times
a day (5gm each time and 15g /day). The second
group was given aqueous extract of 100g of the fruit
in 100 ml volume in a single standard morning dose.
The results revealed that the fall in blood glucose was
25% of the initial level when administered powder
M.charantia dried fruits. The aqueous extract
induced fall in blood glucose level which was highly
significant at the termination of the treatment after 7
weeks, reaches 54.0%. Also glycosylation of
haemoglobin rate decreased.
This study concluded that the aqueous extract of
MC seems to induce a better adaptation against
diabetes with control of glycaemia as reflected by a
delay in the appearance of cataract.
The trial performed in our department on,
Momordica charantia, begin on 1987 when the plant
was introduced to Egypt to fulfill a Ph.D degree in
pharmacognosy, Ibrahim (1991) where different
phytochemical tests were done and different
chemical groups were isolated and identified, in
parallel to a biological investigation of the active
ingredients, from which antidiabetic activity was
revealed for the two bitter gourd plants studied. El-
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :145-151
[El-Gengaihi S. et al.,]
Gengaihi et al. (1996) concluded that M.charania
juice significantly reduced blood glucose level in
normal and diabetic rats. The reduction reached
75.9% in diabetic rats after 24 hours. Another
investigation deals with toxicological studies of MC
on albino rats in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. El-
Batran et al. (2006) proved that the administration of
MC juice or alcohol extract induced a significant
decrease in serum glucose levels. The effect was
described that MC juice inhibits glucose absorption,
promote hepatic glucose utilization, possess an
insulin like polypeptide and even increase insulin-
positive cell number in the pancreas. Furthermore, an
insulin like protein called insulin p-isolated from MC
has been reported to possess hypoglyceamic
properties when injected subcutaneously.
At the same time the administration of MC juice
or alcohol extract to normal rats revealed
insignificant changes in kidney and liver function
during the experimental period (3 months) and they
concluded that MC has beneficial effects on blood
glucose level as well as improving kidney, liver
function and hyperlipidimia due to diabetes.
Continuing the trial on MC, a clinical trial was
performed on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes
however the number continued the therapy to the end
of the trial which lasts 8 week were only 18 patients.
The patients could be followed up from the Internal
Medicinal clinic of the Medical service unit of the
National Research Centre. All patients were diabetic
type 2. They were examined and investigated for
fasting blood sugar, FBS; 2 hours post prandial blood
sugar 2 hr pp, glycosylated heomoglobin (glyc. Hb
Alc), liver function tests, (Lfts), kidney function tests
(kfts) complete blood count (CBC) and lipogram
(Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, high density and
low density lipoprotein cholesterol). No previous
treatments have been withdrawn. No weaning period
from treatment has been necessitated. They were
followed up weekly for 8 weeks.
Tablets were formulated from the polypeptide
isolated from the juice by simple method patent No
40191 (2004). Each tablet contains 20 mg
polypeptide. The dose given was 4-6 tablets daily,
half an hour before meals. The result obtained could
be summarizing in the following:
The patient age ranged from 25-70 years but most
of them were > 40 years.
Seven out of the 18 patients were on no
hypoglycemic treatment, 3 cases were on insulin and
the rest were on conventional oral hypoglycemic.
8 of the 18 patients 44.4% showed improvement
of their FBS and PP glucose level.
3 of 18 patients showed mild improvement.
2 of 18 patients showed improvement of PP blood
sugar only.
4 of 18 patients showed no improvement or
deterioration of significance.
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Another experiment was conducted on 20 patients
10, type one and 10 type 2 diabetes patients,
following up the FBS and PP sugar levels only. They
take a tablet formulated from the dried powdered
pulp fruits 6g/day before meals. The results show a
beginning of recovery by four weeks experiment.
On the basis of this individualized trial, it can be
generally concluded that.
Momordica charantia can be used as an
effective oral adjunct hypoglycemic, with no
reportable clinical side effects.
It is advisable to continue treatment for > 4
weeks for possible tapering of the
conventional hypoglycemics.
It has been possible to stop insulin therapy
in 7 weeks time (in one case).
Hyperlipidemia and impaired liver function
tests have to be carefully monitored and
controlled before or during Momordica
charantia treatments (Table 4).
In humans Srivastava et al., (1993) found that the
hypoglycemic effect be highly significant (P<0.01) at
the end of the trial but were cumulative and gradual
unlike that produced by insulin. The authors believe
also in the adaptogenic properties of the fruit as
indicated by the delay in the appearance of the
cataract, the secondary complication of diabetes
mellitus and relief of the neurological symptoms
even before hypoglycemia occurred Table (3).
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Ethnopharmacology 73: 71-79.
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cial effect of Momordica Charantia seeds in the
treatment of Stz. induced diabetes in experiment-
tal rats. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 28 (6): 978-83.
-Seham Abd El-Sattar El-Batran, Souad El-Gengaihi,
Osama A. El-Shabrawy 2006. Some
toxicological studies of Momordica chrantial L.
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[El-Gengaihi S. et al.,]
on albino rats in normal and alloxan diabetic rats.
J. Ethnopharmacology 108: 236-242.
-Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Dayasagar Rao V. 1991
Hypolipidaemic effect of fenugreek seeds. A
clinical study. Phytother Res 5: 145-7.
-Sharma,V.N., Sogani, R.K., Arora, R.B. 1960. Some
observations on hypoglycemic activity of
Momordica charantia. Ind. J. Med. Res. 48: 471-
77.
-Shukla, K, Narain, J.P., Puri, P., Gupta, A., Bijlani,
R.L., Mohaptra, S.C., Karmarkar, M.G., 1991.
Glycemic response to maize, bajro, and barley.
Indian Journal of physiology and Pharmacology
35: 249-254.
-Srivastava, Y., Venkatakrishna-Bhatt, H., Verma,
Y., Venkaiah, K., Raval, B.H., 1993.
Antidiabetic and adeptogenic properties of
Momordica charantia extract: an experimental
and clinical evaluation. Phytotherapy Research 7:
285-289.
-Villasenor, Irene M. and Mary Rose A. Lamadrid
2006. Comparative anti-hyperglycemic potentials
of medcinal plants. J.Ethnopharmacology 104
129-131.
-Virdi, J., Sivakami, S., Shahani, S., Suthar, A.C.
Banavalikar, M.M., Biyani, M.K. 2003.
Antihyperglycemic effects of three extracts from
Momordica charantia. J. Ethnopharmacology 88
(1): 107-11.
-Watt, J. and Wood, C. 1988 Talking Health:
Conventional and complementary Approaches
London, R. Soc. Med.
-WHO Expert Committee 1980. Diabetes Millitus 2nd
Rep. Geneva World Health Organization.
-Xie, J.T, Zhou, Y.P, Dey, L., Attele, A.S., Wu, J.A.,
Gu, M., Polon sky, K.S., Yuan, C.S., 2002.
Ginsing berry reduces blood glucose and body
weight in db/db mice phytomedicine 9: 254-258.
-Yibchok A., Adisakwattana, S., Yao, S.Y.,
Sangvanich, P., Roengsumran, S., Hsu, W.K.
2006. Slow acting protein extract from fruit pulip
of Momordica charantia with insulin
secretagogue and insulin mimetic activities. Biol.
Pharm. Bull. 29 (6): 1126-31.
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Table1: Hypoglycemic caused by powder dried fruit of Momordica charantia MC and aqueous extract.

Preparation Dose Length of trial % fall in blood sugar

Powder dried fruit 15g/ subject/day 3 weeks 25
Aqueous fruit extract 100g/100ml of water/ 3 weeks 54
of fruit single standard dose
Srivastava et al., (1993)

Table2: Blood and urine sugar levels in clinical trial with aqueous extract of Momordica charantia

Blood sugar 1PBS, mg%

Length of Case
7 8 9 10 11 12
treatment No.6
0 week 422 236 380 280 380 450 250
*++++ ++ ++++ +++ +++ +++ ++
2 weeks 200 170 191 225 200 191 175
++ + ++ ++ + ++ ++
3 week 142 151 - 180 160 150 140
trace nil + trace + Nil
4 week 120 110 120 150 125 115 120
nil nil nil nil nil nil Nil
7 week 97 99 118 - - 100 115
nil nil nil nil nil nil nil
Urine sugar qualitative.
after Srivastava et al., (1993)

Table3: Period of appearance of cataract in drug treated diabetic rats and diabetic control rats.

Period of cataract
Group Initial After alloxan treatment After 2 months
appearance
Diabetic control 64 16 290 44 305 61 93 16 days
n=10
Diabetic treated 60 15 270 40 109 66* 146 30* days
n=10 n.s.
* Significant P< 0.01

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Table 4:. Clinical & laboratory data of the studied cases

No Sex/age Wt/kg BP FBS 2HR GLY.Hb LFTs Lipo Pretest treat. Dur. Results
PP gram Of
treat.
1 27 75 B=253 B=375 B 11 - 4w Improvement
A=150 A=150 A8
2 35 60 B=175 B=403 B10A - - 4w Improvement
A=116 A=140
3 65 75 B=115 B=145 - - Insulin 8w Same state but
A=100 A=135 Cidophage insulin stopped
gradually
improvement
4 50 78 B=135 B=160 9.4 - Amaryl 4w Improvement in pp
A=166 A=116 only
5 70 100 B=175 B=208 10.9 Amaryl 1w No Improvement
A=205 A=265
6 52 81 B=120 B=251 - - 1w No Improvement
A=140 A=260
7 34 80 B=140 B=240 8.2 - 4w Improvement
A=116 A=120
8 - - B=259 B=362 11 - 4w Improvement
A=163 A=245
9 55 58 B=141 B=239 6.5 - 4w Mild Improvement
A=133 A=208
10 54 87 B=115 B=156 8.4 Novo norm 4w Mild Improvement
A=113 A=130 Avendia
11 55 110 B=180 B=377 10 Diamicron 2w Improvement
A=157 A=330
12 40 85 B=309 B=418 8.3 Diamicron 6w Improvement
A=120 A=166 cidophag
13 70 78 B=188 B=188 - glucobay 3w Improvement in pp
A=198 A=198
14 34 100 B=226 B=400 - Diamicron 1w No Improvement in
A=213 A=259 cidophag pp
15 70 61 B=360 B=478 8.5 Insulin 3w No Improvement
A=375 A=480
A=141 A=195
16 32 83 B=143 B=402 11 - 3w
A=170 A=350
17 55 57 B=141 B=239 8.1 Diamicron 2w Mild Improvement
A=133 A=208 6w
A=91 A=124
18 25 66 B=342 B=381 Insulin 4w No Improvement

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Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation of Oleoresin Pistacia atlantica Desf. Oil

Against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus
pyogenes

Bachir Raho Ghalem

Department of Biology Science Faculty Djillali Liabs University of Sidi Bel Abbs Algeria
Phone: 00213771063841 E-mail:bachir_raho@yahoo.fr
Benhassani Hachemi
Department of Environmental Sciences Science Faculty Djillali Liabs University of Sidi Bel Abbs
Algeria

Abstract:
The antibacterial activities of the essential oils from the gum of Pistacia atlantica. Desf was
investigated using three strains of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and
Streptococcus pyogenes. Testing was used in the antibacterial tests by the agar disc diffusion and
the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. The dilutions 10-1 of Staphylococcus
aureus and Escherichia coli have shown the resistance of these strains to a quantity of 0.5 l
which corresponds to the MIC, where as for other dilutions, MIC is 1 l, but it is 1.5 for
Streptococcus pyogenes. With an increasing dose of essential oil resin of P. atlantica, the resulting
diameter of the zone of inhibition increased for all the organisms. The oil also exhibited strong
activity against Gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Gram ()
Escherichia coli was the most resistant to the oil.
Key words: essential oil resin of P. atlantica Desf - antibacterial activities - bacteria strains

1-INTRODUCTION (2006), which corresponds to the period of the

The genus Pistacia includes many species widely
distributed in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
areas (Ben Douissa et al, 2005). Four species of
Pistacia, namely P. lentiscus, P. terebinthus, P.
atlantica and P. vera is reported in Algeria (Belhadj,
1999). "Gum" mastic, an oleoresin exudates from the
stem of this plant (Dogan et al, 2003) is a source of
traditional medicinal agent for the relief of upper
abdominal discomfort, stomachaches, dyspepsia and
peptic ulcer (Al-Said et al, 1986 ; Huwez and Al-
Habbal,1986). Pistacia species have also been
reported to possess stimulant and diuretic properties
(Bentleyand and Trimon 1980).
The antimicrobial activity of P. lentiscus essential
oils and its resin against different microorganisms
has been reported by several researchers (Tassou and
Nychas, 1995; Ben Douissa et al, 2005; Benhammou
et al., 2008) but little is known on the bactericidal
effect of P. atlantica. Desf extracts precisely its
oleoresin oils.
The aim objective of this work is to evaluate the
antibacterial activity of the essential oil of mastic
gum extracted from Pistacia atlantica. Desf against
the growth of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material and Essential Oil Extraction
The resin of P. atlantica (pistachio tree of the
Atlas) was collected from the Ain Fkain region, 24
km far from Mascara west of Algeria, in May-June,
oleoresin formation. The essential oil extracted from
resin by hydrodistillation with ethanol. The combined
hydroalcoholic extract filtered through filter paper
and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure in
a Rotavapor, then stored in the dark at 4 C with no
air contact. The extract is further used for screening
purpose (Benhassaini et al, 2003).
Microbial Strains
The gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus
aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and the gram
negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) were obtained
from the urine and stool samples respectively from
patients attending Dr Yessad Khaled Hospital at
Mascara city, situated in the west of Algeria. The
bacterial samples were identified by standard
biochemical tests and morphological studies in
Microbiology Laboratory in Biology Institute of
Mascara University (Marcha et al, 1982; Euzby,
1998 ).
Antimicrobial Screening
Two different methods were employed for the
determination of antimicrobial activities; an agar disc
diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration
(MIC) determination.
1. Agar disc diffusion method. In vitro
antibacterial activity of the P. atlantica essential oil
was determined by the agar disk diffusion method
according to Benhassaini et al. 2003. Disc-assays
were found to be a simple, cheap and reproducible
practical method (Maidment et al, 2006). 18 ml of

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sterilized Mueller Hinton Agar medium was taken in
each Petri plate, then spread with a suspension of the
tested microorganism (average concentration is 106
cells per ml). The sterilized Whatman No.3 filter
paper (6 mm diameter) were thoroughly moistened
with 15 l of the oil and placed on the seeded agar
plates then incubated at 37C for 24h. The diameters
of the inhibition zones were measured in millimeters.
2. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)
determination. The minimal inhibitory concentration
(MIC) is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial
that will inhibit the visible growth of a micro-
organism after overnight incubation. Minimum
inhibitory concentrations are important in diagnostic
laboratories to confirm resistance of microorganisms
to an antimicrobial agent and also to monitor the
activity of new antimicrobial agents (Andrews,
2001).
Three dilutions each of S. aureus, S. pyogenes and E.
coli strain 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 were prepared. The
diluted bacterial strains were spread over the surface
of the Petri dish containing Mueller-Hinton agar
medium.
Four discs of 6 mm diameter are placed on agar
containing the following quantities of the resin oil
dilution: 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 l. In the center of Petri
dish, a control disc is impregnated in parallel with 2
l of ethanol. The Petri dishes are incubated then at
37C for 24 h.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Disc diffusion is one of the most common assays
used in the evaluation of the antibacterial activity of
essential oils.
Table1 shows the in vitro antimicrobial property
of the essential oil resin of P. atlantica of three
bacterial strains, with their three dilutions exposed at
different concentrations of oil resin of P.atlantica.
Antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method
showed that the oil resin of P. atlantica was most
active against E.coli followed by S. aureus and
Streptococcus pyogenes.
The oil resin at all volumes showed potent
inhibitory activity against the tested microorganisms,
with the exception of 10-1 dilution of the strain S.
pyogenes with 10-4 of essential resin where there are
no reports of inhibition. Diameter of the inhibition
zone of oil resin of P. atlantica varied from 0 to 9
mm. The largest zone of inhibition was obtained for
E.coli (10-3 dilution) with 10-1 g/ml concentration
of oil resin of P . atlantica and the lowest for S .
pyogenes (10-4 dilution) with 10-1 g/ml concentration
of oil resin of P . atlantica. A more significant
inhibition was seen with a higher oil oleoresin
concentration. The oil resin at 10-2 and 10-3 g/ml
showed moderate activity. On the one hand, the
growths of tested bacteria in high concentrations of
oil resin were highly inhibited, where it was
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[Raho Ghalem B. et al.,]
considered that these organisms were sensitive to the
oil. On the other hand, at low concentrations a very
limited inhibitory effect was observed on the growth
of microorganisms in comparison with those
witnessed.
The gram-positive bacterial strains (S. aureus
and S. pyogenes) were more susceptible to the
extracts as compared to gram- negative bacteria (E.
coli). This is in agreement with previous reports that
plant extracts are more active against gram-positive
bacteria than gram-negative bacteria (Iauk et al,
1996; Koutsoudaki et al, 2005; zelik et al, 2005;
Kamrani et al, 2007 and Benhammou et al, 2008).
Similarly, when the minimal inhibitory concentra-
tion was evaluated using the resin oil of P. atlantica
against a gram negative and gram positive bacteria,
similar results to the disc diffusion method were
produced.
The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was
defined as the lowest concentration of the test
samples where the absence of growth was recorded
(Glowniak et al, 2006). The results of showed a
variable effect of the oils on the microorganisms
(Table. 2).
The MIC of the active essential oils of the resin
oil of P. atlantica was tested at a volume ranging
from 0.5 to 2.0 l. The minimum inhibitory
concentrations (MIC) for the resin oil of P. atlantica
showed an activity with MIC values ranging from 3-
11 g/ml against E. coli, from 1-10 g/ml against
S.aureus and 0-8 against S. pyogenes (Table .2).
S. aureus and S. pyogenes on the one hand were
susceptible at 0.5 g/ ml and E.coli on the other hand
was tolerant to this concentration (0.5 g/ml).
The results of the study revealed that essential oil
resin of P. atlantica have antibacterial activity
against Gram-positive as well as Gram negative
bacteria.
Some authors have reported that Gram positive
microorganisms are slightly more sensitive to
essential oils when compared to Gram negative
(Canillac and Mourey, 2001; Dermetzos and
Perdetzoglou, 2001). This lower sensitivity of Gram
negative organisms has been related to the presence
of an outer membrane surrounding their cell wall,
which restricts the diffusion of hydrophobic
compounds through its lipopolyssacharide covering
(Vaara.,1992).
Some researchers reported that there is a
relationship between the chemical structures of the
most abundant in the tested essential oil and the
antimicrobial activity. Essential oils rich in phenolic
compounds such as Pistacia specie are widely
reported to possess high levels of antimicrobial
activity (Malekzadeh,1974; Yalpani and
Tyman,1983; Conner and Beuchat,1984; Marner et
al,1991; Kubo et al,1993 ; Ben Douissa,2005). On
the other hand, it should be noted that the two major
volatile constituents, -pinene and terpinolene, that
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contains the Pistacia specie are compounds with
interesting antibacterial activity (Tsokou et al, 2007).
4-CONCLUSION
In this study the antimicrobial activity of the
essential oils resin of P. atlantica was studied. The
oil showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli which
are used as Gram negative and Gram positive
bacterial models, respectively. The studied methods
confirm that the resin and its essential oil have an
inhibiting effect according to the dilution of the strain
on one hand and the concentration of resin and
essential oil on the other.
Thus, the investigated essential oil has potential
antibacterial activity, which can be further exploited
to develop new drugs to treat infections produced by
important multiresistant Gram-positive human
pathogens.
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MS, SahebJamei M (2007). Inhibitory Effects of
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of the lipophylic extracts of Pistacia vera .
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Table 1: Antimicrobial activity evaluation of the resin oil of P. atlantic using Agar disc diffusion method.

Bacterial Dilution Resin oil concentration (g/ml)

strain 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 Control
10-1 5 4 4 3 3
E. coli 10-2 6 5 5 3 5
10-3 9 7 6 5 7
10-1 5 3 3 1 4
S. aureus 10-2 7 5 4 2 5
10-3 8 7 5 2 6
10-1 4 3 2 0 4
S. pyogenes 10-2 6 5 2 2 6
10-3 7 6 4 3 8

Table 2: MIC evaluation essential oil resin of P.atlantica with three bacterial strains

Bacterial Dilution Resin oil concentration (g/ml)

strain 0.5 1 1.5 2 Control
10-1 3 4 6 8 6
E. coli 10-2 4 7 9 10 7
10-3 5 8 10 11 7
10-1 1 3 3 6 6
S. aureus 10-2 2 4 4 9 7
10-3 3 6 7 10 9
10-1 0 1 3 4 4
S. pyogne 10-2 0 2 4 5 6
10-3 0.5 3 5 6 8
.

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Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oils from the oleoresin of Pistacia

vera L. against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp
Bachir Raho Ghalem and Benali Mohamed
Biotoxicology Laboratory. Biology Institute Science Faculty Djillali Liabs University of Sidi Bel Abbs
Algeria - Phone: 00213771063841 E-mail:bachir_raho@yahoo.fr

Abstract:
This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial activities of essential oil the gum
of Pistacia vera L. The essential oils of this plant were obtained by the hydrodistillation method.
The inhibitory effects of this essential oil were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus
aureus and Proteus spp by using agar disc diffusion and dilution broth methods. The results
obtained from our study showed that E. coli was the greatest inhibitor of all the strains tested,
especially Gram negative bacteria (E.coli , Proteus spp) and to a lesser effect on Gram positive
bacteria (S.aureus) by the essential oil tested.
Keywords: antimicrobial activity, essential oil, gum of Pistacia vera.L

1-INTRODUCTION
Among the aromatic plants belonging to the
family of Anacardiaceae, the genus Pistacia is
noteworthy for its numerous species and varieties of
wild-growing plants. Many of these species are
typical of the Mediterranean area. Pistacia has an
economic value as it is the source of traditional
medicinal agent "gum" mastic, an oleoresin exudate
from the stem of this plant (Dogan et al, 2003). It is a
traditional natural remedy that has been used by very
ancient Mediterranean civilizations like Greeks and
Egyptians (Pellecuer et al, 1980; Peachey, 1995;
Langenheim, 2003). In Algeria, it is found in four
species, namely Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia
terebinthus, Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia vera
(Belhadj, 1999). The latter, known as true pistachio
(Pistacia vera) is characterized by a large tolerance
to climatic variations, it can grow under slices
rainfall quite low and cope all types of soils. In
Algerian folk medicine, Pistacia lentiscus has been
used as an astringent, expectorant and cicatrisant
agent (Benhammou et al., 2008). About the other
species of this plant , investigations have shown
some pharmacological effects such as reducing blood
pressure (Villar et al,1987), anti-inflammatory (Giner
et al 2000; Giner et al 2001) and antimicrobial action
(Ali-Shtayeh and Abu Ghdeib,1999; Magiatis et al ,
1999). The antiseptic activity of P. lentiscus essential
oils and resin on different microorganisms has been
reported by several researchers (Tassou and Nychas,
1995; Iauk et al, 1996; Ali-Shtayeh and Abu Ghdeib,
1999; Marone et al, 2001; Ben Douissa et al, 2005;
Benhammou et al, 2008) but the antimicrobial effect
of Pistacia vera extracts precisely its oleoresin oils
have not been studied so far. In this study, we aimed
to detect a possible inhibitory effect of the oils
extracted from oleoresin exudates by the P. vera stem
on the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus
aureus and Proteus spp tested by using agar disc
diffusion and dilution broth methods.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material and Extraction of the Essential Oil
Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a member of the
Anacardiaceae family. The genus Pistacia contains
about 11 species, of which P. vera is by far the most
economically important (Alma et al., 2004). The P.
vera tree is native of arid zones of Central and West
Asia and distributed throughout the Mediterranean
basin. The mastic gum is collected from the Institut
Technique des Arbres Fruitiers I.T.A.F - (Technical
Institute for Fruit Trees) of Tighennif (wilaya of
Mascara) situated in the northwest of Algeria, during
three different months April, May and June, which
corresponds to the period of the oleoresin formation.
The essential oil extracted from resin by
hydrodistillation with ethanol for using a Clevenger
apparatus. The combined hydroalcoholic extract
filtered through filter paper and evaporated to
dryness under reduced pressure in a Rotavapor
(Heidolph Laborota 4000), then stored in the dark at
4C with air tight container. The extract is further
used for screening purpose.
Bacterial Strains
All bacterial strains (E. coli, Proteus spp and S.
aureus) are provided by the Laboratory of medical
analysis -located in Dr Yessad Khaled Hospital of
Mascara city, situated in the west of Algeria- from
patients. S. aureus was isolated from the pus of a
patient, E. coli from blood specimens while Proteus
spp is taken from a coproculture. The strains used in
this work were identified and confirmed after
morphological studies and by using biochemical tests
in the Microbiological Laboratory of the Biological
Institute of Mascara University (Euzby, 1998;
Marchal et al, 1982).
Determination of Antimicrobial Activity
Two methods were used to determine the
antibacterial activity, agar disc diffusion and dilution

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SIPAM 2009
broth. The agar disc diffusion method was employed
to determine the antimicrobial activities of the
essential oil. Disc-assays were found to be a simple,
cheap and reproducible practical method (Maidment
et al, 2006). A suspension of each sample tested
microorganism - diluted prior to 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 -
(1 ml of 108cells/ml) was spread on solid agar
medium in Petri dishes (Mueller-Hinton agar). Filter
paper discs (6 mm in diameter) were soaked in 13l
of the resin oil and placed on the inoculated plates
and, allow to dry 15 min, then incubated at 37 C for
24 h .The diameters of the inhibition zones were
measured in millimetres (Benhassaini et al,2003).
Dilution broth susceptibility assay (Bouhadjera et al,
2005) was used for the antimicrobial evaluation.
Stock solutions of the resin oils were prepared in
ethanol by mixing 1 ml of the extracts with 9 ml of
alcohol in test tube to obtain mother solution,
followed by successive dilutions at 10 -2 and 10 -3 .
The control was prepared by mixing 1 ml of distilled
water with 9 ml of alcohol. One ml on each dilution
and 0.5 ml of bacterial strains were added to test
tubes containing 8 ml of nutrient broth, maintained
after in a Marie Bath at 37C under stirring for 24
hours, then seeded by streaking the surface of agar
medium and incubated for 24 h at 37oC.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In a preliminary experiment, we screened the
effect of oil resin of P.vera against S. aureus, E. coli
and Proteus spp in disc diffusion assay. Table 1
summarizes the microbial growth inhibition by oil
resin of Pistacia vera, which showed good
antibacterial activities against the three tested
organisms.
The results revealed that the oil resin showed
antibacterial activity with varying magnitudes,
depending on the size of inoculum and the
concentration of resin oil. Diameter of the inhibition
zone of oil resin of Pistacia vera varied from 7 to
11.5 mm. The largest zone of inhibition was obtained
for E.coli (10-3 dilution) with 10-1 g/ml concentra-
tion of oil resin of P .vera and the lowest for S.aureus
and E.coli (10-4 dilution) with 10-4 g/ml concentra-
tion of oil resin of P .vera. A more significant
inhibition was seen with a higher oil oleoresin
concentration. At low concentrations a very limited
inhibitory effect was observed on the growth of
microorganisms in comparison with those witnessed.
With increasing essential oil resin of P.vera
concentration, an obvious inhibitory effect on growth
of, E.coli, Proteus spp and S.aureus, was
significantly increased. The addition of mastic gum
oil in broth culture inoculated with S. aureus, E.coli
and Proteus spp inhibited the growth of these
organisms. The rate of inhibition was greater, on
Gram negative bacteria (E. coli, Proteus spp), than
that observed on Gram positive bacteria (S. aureus).
In most cases the size of inoculum and the
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :137-140
[Raho Ghalem B. et al.,]
concentration of mastic gum oil affected the
growth/survival of the organisms. These results are
almost similar to those shown by other work on the
antimicrobial activity of oil mastic gum of Pistacia
vera as well as those of similar species (Iauk et al,
1996; Koutsoudaki et al,2005; zelik et al, 2005;
Kamrani et al,2007 and Benhammou et al, 2008).
Like previous tests, the application of the dilution
broth method confirms by its results shown in table 2
the important antibacterial activity of the oil mastic
gum of Pistacia vera on these three microbial strains,
as it seems that proteus spp is more sensitive than the
other two.
The results indicated that the oil mastic gum of
Pistacia vera showed antibacterial activity, according
to Alma et al. (2004), and zelik et al. (2005),
mainly against the Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli
and Proteus spp). The oil mastic gum also exhibited
an effect against the Gram-positive bacteria (S.
aureus). However, this effect was less efficient than
that presented against the Gram-positive bacteria,
since a higher MIC value was obtained with the
Gram-negative bacteria. Differences in MIC values
of bacteria may be related to differential
susceptibility of bacterial cell wall, which is the
functional barrier to minor differences present in
outer membrane in the cell wall composition (Zhao et
al, 2001). The gram-positive and gram-negative
microorganisms differ in several aspects other than
with respect to the structure of the cellular wall,
mainly with regard to the presence of lipoproteins
and lipopolysaccharides in gram-negative bacteria
that form a barrier to hydrophobic compounds (Zhao
et al, 2001; Mazutti et al, 2008). According to Rang
et al. (2001), these aspects have important
implications in antibiotic action. On the other hand,
these activities can be attributed, to a considerable
degree, to the existence of its bioactive compounds
such as carvacrol, camphene, and limonene, which
appeared to possess strong activities against all tested
microbial strains (Alma et al, 2004).
4-CONCLUSION
The results of the antimicrobial activity tests
indicate that essential oil of Pistacia vera mastic gum
exhibited higher activity against the tested strains and
confirm its traditional uses. However, oil mastic gum
was found to be inhibiting both gram-positive and
gram-negative bacteria. We believe that the present
investigation together with previous studies provide a
support to the antibacterial properties of this essential
oil. These results suggest that essential oil of Pistacia
vera mastic gum is beneficial to human health,
having the potential to be used for medical purposes
as a microbiostatic, antiseptic or as disinfectant agent
and to be utilized as anti-bacterial food additives.
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odontologie conservatrice. Plant Mdicin
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Table1: Antimicrobial activity evaluation of the resin oil of P. vera using Agar disc diffusion method.

Bacterial Dilution Resin oil concentration (g/ml)

strain 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 control

10-1 10 9 8.5 7 7
E. coli 10-2 11 10.5 9 8.5 7
10-3 11.5 10.9 9.5 9 6.5
-1
10 9 8.5 8 7 6.5
S. aureus 10-2 10 9 8.5 7.5 7
10-3 11 10.5 10 8.5 6.5
10-1 9 8 8 7.5 7
S. pyogenes 10-2 11 10.5 10.5 9 7.5
10-3 11.5 11.5 11.5 10.5 7

Table 2: MIC evaluation essential oil resin of P. vera using dilution broth method against
the three bacterial strains.

Essential oil (g/ml)

Bacterial strain Control 0g/ml 10-1 ,10-2 10-3, 10-4 10-5

E.coli + ++ +
++ +++
S. aureus +++ + ++ +++
Proteus spp + +++
+++ +++
++: Comparable Growth with that Control + : Slow growth

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects of Crataegus

azarolus var. eu-azarolus L. Ethyl Acetate Extract

Radhia Bahri-Sahloul, Saida Ammar

U.R. Morphogenesis and Plant Biotechnology Research Unit (UR/09-11), Faculty of Science Tunis, Campus
Universitaire, 1060 Tunis El Manar-Tunisie. E-mail: bahriradhia@yahoo.fr;
Fax: + 216 73 465 405 Tel : +21673360737.
Jihne Chriaa
Laboratory of Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacie, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
Saad Saguem
Metabolic Biophysics and Applied Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Sousse, Tunisia,
Sbastien Grec
University of Sciences and Technology of Lille, "Abiotic Stress and Cultivated Plants differentiation" UMR1281
USTL, INRA, ERT1067, IFR147, SN2 Bulding, F-59650 Villeneuve 12.d'Ascq cedex, France
Francis Trotin
Pharmacognosy Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, BP 83, France 59006 Lille
Fethia Harzallah-Skhiri
Agrobiodiversity Unit, Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott-Meriem/Higher Institute of Biotechnology, rue
Tahar Haddad, Monastir 5000, Tunisia.

Abstract
Total phenol, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and individual phenol contents were evaluated in
ethyl acetate extracts of vegetative and reproductive Crataegus azarolus var. eu-azarolus organs.
Antioxidant and antibacterial activities were also tested. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by
scavenging DPPH and ABTS+ radicals. The qualitative and quantitative antibacterial assay of
extracts was carried out by the disc diffusion method against pathogenesis bacteria. The estimation
of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC)
were carried out by the broth dilution method. The young leaves, stems in green fruit stage, bud
flowers and green fruits are the richest organs in total phenols, flavonoides and proanthocyanidins.
Chlorogenic acid was the major phenol acid in different organs. (-)-Epicatechin and procyanidin
dimer B2 were the most catechin present in organs. Hyperoside, rutin, spiraeoside, isoquercitrin
and quercetin were detected in different organs. A strong antioxidant activity of most ethyl acetate
extracts and high antibacterial activity against Gram+ bacteria were identified. Minimum
inhibitrice concentration (MIC) and MBC varying between 39.06 to 1250 g/ml. A strong
correlation between phenolic composition and antioxidant and antibacterial effect were suggested.
Keywords: biological activities, medicinal plant, polyphenols, reproductive organs, vegetative
organ, Zaarour.

1-INTRODUCTION al., 2005; Cui et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2001),

Polyphenols from plants are of growing interest
both in industry and scientific research because of
their antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties and
this make them useful as natural additives in foods
(Cui et al., 2006; Orhan et al., 2007; Shahat et al,
2002). Reactive oxygen species are reported to be a
causative agent of various diseases such as arthritis,
asthma, dementia, mongolism, carcinoma and
Parkinsons disease (Deba et al., 2008). Crataegus
polyphenols and their extracts have had a great usage
in folk medicine and pharmaceutical industries (Cui
et al., 2006). Phenols, flavonoids, and proantho-
cyanidins have been identified as bioactive
components from this plant (Bahorun et al., 1994).
These compounds were suggested to be involved in
the antioxidant (Bahorun et al., 1994; Ljubuncic et
cardiosedative (Hanus et al., 2004), anti-
inflammatory (Kao et al., 2005), hypolipidemic
(Zhang et al., 2001), anticarcinogen (Kao et al.,
2007) and antimicrobial activities (Duffy and Power,
2002; Shahat, 2002; Gven et al., 2006; Orhan et al.,
2007). In Arab traditional medicine (Ali-Shtayeh et
al.,2000; El-Hilaly et al.,.2003; Said et al.,2002), a
decoction of leaves and unripe fruits is prepared to
treat cardiovascular disease, as well as cancer,
diabetes and sexual weakness. In Tunisian
ethnopharmacology, a decoction of leaves treat
diabetes, a decoction of flowers treats angina and
pain in post-partum (Boukef, 1986). Le Flock (1983)
suggested that a galenic preparation of Crataegus had
a cardiotonic and sedative effects. Recently, these
uses in Arab ethnopharmacology, were supported by

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the studies of Ljubuncic et al. (2005, 2006) whom
indicated the antioxidant, antidiabetic and enzyme
inhibitor effects of Crataegus azarolus extracts.
Crataegus azarolus L. is widely distributed in the
Mediterranean region. It is 6 8 m in height with
white flowers and with big toasty acidulate fruit. The
genus Crataegus, known as Zaarour in Tunisia, is
represented by two species in the flora of Tunisia
(Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus azarolus)
(Pottier Alapetite, 1978). Crataegus monogyna has
been often studied and its the major hawthorn
species utilized in European Pharmacopoeia
(Bahorun et al., 1994). Up to-date, no analytical
study has been performed on the Tunisian Crataegus
species mainly Crataegus azarolus, which
represented by two varieties in our area, Crataegus
azarolus var. aronia with yellow fruits and C. a. var.
eu-azarolus with red ones.
Therefore, the aim of the present work was
carried out to study in vitro antioxidant and
antibacterial activities of the ethyl acetate extracts of
vegetative and reproductive organs of Crataegus
azarolus var. eu-azarolus.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Chemicals
ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-
sulphonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-
picrylhydrazyl) were purchased from Sigma (St.
Louis, MO, USA); Trolox C (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-
tetramethylchromane-2-carboxylic acid) was
purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Deisenhofen,
Germany), Potassium sulphate (di-potassium
peroxodisulfate), HPLC grade of (-)-epicatechin,
procyanidin dimer B2, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside,
rutin, spiraeoside and isoquercetrin were obtained
from Sigma-Aldrich (Taufkirchen, Germany). HPLC
grade of cyanidin chloride were obtained from
Extrasynthse (Genay, France). HPLC solvents were
of HPLC grade. All other reagents used were of
analytical grade.
Plant material
Fresh plant organs were harvested during the
whole 2004 vegetative cycle on Crataegus azarolus
L. var. eu-azarolus trees developed in the region of
Hammam-Sousse (East Center of Tunisia), and
immediately deep-freezed at -20C. Dates of harvest
and corresponding organs studied were reported in
table 1. In all cases leaves were separated from
flowers and fruits except for the F2 stage.
Extraction
100 g of fresh plant organ was extracted three
times with absolute methanol for 48 h at room
temperature. The pooled methanol filtrates were
concentrated using a vacuum rotary evaporator to
eliminate methanol. The methanolic extract was then
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
dissolved in water and the water phase was
centrifuged and then washed with petroleum ether to
remove chlorophylls and lipids. The resulting
aqueous extract was partitioned with ethyl acetate.
Ethyl acetate layers, dehydrated with Na2SO4 and
evaporated at low pressure to dryness and taken up in
absolute methanol to yield a 1/5 ration (plant fresh
weight/volume).
Phenolic composition
1. Analysis of total phenols
The concentration of total phenols in extracts
was measured by UV spectrophotometer (Jenway
6300), based on a colorimetric oxidation /reduction
reaction. The oxidizing agent used was Folin-
Ciocalteu reagent (Merck) (Singleton and Rossi,
1965). To 50 l of diluted extract (1mg/1ml of
methanol) was added, in screw-capped test tubes, 750
l of distilled water-Folin-Ciocalteu solution (28/2;
v/v). After 3 min, 200 l of sodium carbonate
(Na2CO3) (200 g/l) was added and the test tubes were
properly shacked before incubating in boiling water
bath for 1 min. The tubes were then allowed to cool
in the dark. The absorbance was measured at an
absorbance of 765 nm and results were expressed in
mg of gallic acid/100 g dry weight using appropriate
standard curve. For a control sample, 50 l of
methanol was used.
2. Analysis of proanthocyanidins
The proanthocyanidins were determined by UV
spectrophotometry method based on acid hydrolysis
and color formation. The HCl/butan-1-ol assay was
used to quantify the total proanthocyanidins (Porter
et al., 1986). one mg of the extract was dissolved in 1
ml of methanol. To 0.25 ml of this solution was
added 3 ml of a 95% solution of n-Butanol/HCl
(95/5; v/v) in stoppered test tubes followed by
addition of 0.1 ml of a solution of NH4 Fe (SO4)2 12
H2O in 2 M HCl (0.2% w/v). The tubes were
incubated for 40 min at 95 C. For a control sample,
0.25 ml of methanol was used. After incubation, the
samples were cooled and analyzed by measuring
absorbance at 540 nm. The results were expressed as
mg of cyanidin chloride/100 g dry weight.
3. Analysis of total flavonoids
The AlCl3 method (Lamaison and Carnat, 1990)
was adapted for the purpose of determining the total
flavonoid contents of the ethyl acetate extracts.
0.5 mg of the extract was dissolved in 1 ml of
methanol. To 0.5 ml of this solution were added
equal volumes of a solution of 2% AlCl36H2O. The
mixture was thoroughly mixed and incubated for 10
min. After incubation, the samples were cooled and
analyzed by measuring absorbance at 367.5 nm. The
results were expressed in mg rutin equivalents/100 g
dry weight.
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4. High performance liquid chromatography
analysis
HPLC analysis of extracts was carried out using
a Hewlett Packard 1500 series (Waldbronn,
Germany) liquid chromatography system equipped
with a vacuum degasser, quaternary pump, auto-
sampler, thermostated column compartment and
diode array detector. After filtration on Millipore
filter paper (0.22 m) (Whatman), 20 l methanolic
extract were injected on a Spherisorb ODS2 RP18 (5
m) reversed phase, C18 column (4.6 mm i.d. x 150
mm) (Sigma-Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany) eluted
by an acidified acetonitrile-water gradient. Elution
with a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min at 25 C was as
follows: 0-5 min, 0-7.5% B in A; 5-13 min, 20% B in
A; 13-20 min, 80% B in A; 20-25 min, 100% B in A;
(Solvent A: acetonitrile/water, 1/9 v/v, pH 2.5;
Solvent B: acetonitrile/water, 9/1 10.v/v, pH 2.5).
Chlorogenic acid, (-)-epicatechin and procyanidin
dimer B2 were identified and quantified by
comparison with authentic standards at 280 nm.
Hyperoside, rutin, spiraeoside, isoquercitrin and
quercetin were identified and quantified by
comparison with authentic standards at 360 nm. The
wave length change automatically in ten minutes
from 280 nm to 360 nm.
Antioxidant activity
1. DPPH radical scavenging activity. DPPH
radical scavenging activity was measured using a
Soler-Rivas et al. (2000) method.
The extracts were diluted to 1 mg (dry weight)/ml
using absolute methanol. Twenty l of methanolic
extract was added to 980 l of DPPH radical (90 M
in methanolic solution) in a test tube. Methanol was
used in the place of antioxidant solution as a control.
The solution was immediately mixed vigorously for
10 s by a vortex mixer and transferred to the cuvette
holder of the spectrophotometer against the blank,
which did not contain the extract. After a 30 min
incubation period at room temperature, the
absorbance was read against a blank at 515 nm. All
experiments were performed in triplicate.
2. ABTS radical scavenging activity. ABTS
radical scavenging activity was measured using a
modified Re et al. (1999) method. ABTS radical
cation (ABTS+) was produced by reacting a 7 mM
aqueous solution of ABTS with 2.45 mM potassium
persulfate (final concentration).The reaction mixture
was allowed to stand in the dark at room temperature
for 12-16 h prior to use.
ABTS+ solution was diluted with methanol to an
absorbance of 0.70 (0.02) at 734 nm. To a diluted
ABTS+ solution (980 l) was added 20 l of the
extract solution (1 mg dry weight/ml). The solution
was immediately mixed vigorously for 10 s by a
vortex mixer and transferred to a cuvette. The
absorbance was monitored at 734 nm after 6 min.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
Radical-scavenging expression
For the two test (DPPH and ABTS), Trolox, the
water-soluble a tocopherol (Vitamin E) analog,
served as a standard.
A concentration-response curves, for ABTS.+
(734 nm) and for DPPH (515 nm), as a function of
different Trolox concentrations were prepared. The
decrease in absorption of tested samples was used for
calculating the TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant
capacity) (TEACABTS and TEACDPPH). All
experiments were performed in triplicate. Results
were expressed in mol Trolox/100 g dry weight.
Antibacterial activities
1. Bacterial strains. Both cocci Gram-positive
and Gram-negative rods bacterial species were
selected as test microorganisms according to their
pathologic origin. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC
29213), Staphylococcus epidermidis (NCIMB 8853),
Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Micrococcus luteus
(NCIMB8166) and hospital Salmonella typhimurium
were used.
2. Preparation of inoculum. Mueller-Hinton (M-
H) broth was inoculated aseptically with the
appropriate microorganisms, 24 h before testing. This
was to ensure that the bacteria fully adapted to the
broth and reached the stationary phase of growth.
The inoculated bacterial strains were incubated at
37C during 18-24 h in M-H agar, the inoculum
suspension containing approximately 105 colony
forming unit (CFU)/ml of bacteria.
3. Antibacterial activity test. The qualitative and
quantitative antibacterial assay of extracts was
carried out by the disc diffusion method (Marmonier,
1987). Five hundred microliters of the inoculums
were spread over plates containing sterile M-H agar
(pH 7.2) and the paper filter discs (5 mm)
impregnated with the volatile fractions of different
concentrations were placed on the surface of the
media. The plates were incubated at 37 C for 18 h.
The inhibition zone (ID) around the disc was
measured. Antibacterial tests were performed in
triplicate. Two controls were also included in the test.
The first was a control involving the presence of
microorganisms but the absence of the test material
and the second is a standard antibiotic (Ampicillin)
which was used in order to control the sensitivity of
the tested microorganisms, and the developing
inhibition zones were compared with those of
reference discs. The estimation of the minimal
inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal
bactericidal concentration (MBC) were carried out by
the broth dilution method (Van der Berghe and
Vlietinck, 1991; Burt, 2004). Dilutions of the extracts
were prepared as follows: 5, 10, 15 mg/ml. The M-H
broth employed for sample dilution was
supplemented with tween 80 (Merck, Germany) at a
concentration of 5% (May et al., 2000; Hicheri et al.,
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2003), to enhance extract solubility. MIC values were
taken as the lowest extract fraction concentrations
that prevent visible bacterial growth after 24 h of
incubation at 37 C, and MBC as the lowest
concentration that completely inhibited bacterial
growth. Each experiment was repeated three times.
To confirm the results of MBC, 10 ml of the
experimental suspensions were sub cultured in TCS
agar plates (Trypto-Caseine-Soja agar) which were
incubated at 37 1C for 1824 h (Ronda and Rybak,
2001).
Statistical analysis
Simple regression analysis was performed to
calculate the dose-response relationship of standard
solutions used for calibration as well as test samples.
Linear regression analysis was performed, quoting
the correlation coefficient rxy between antioxidant
and antibacterial activities and phenolic classes. All
results were expressed as mean value standard
deviation of three parallel measurements. The results
were processed using Microsoft Excel 2003 and the
data were subjected to one way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) and the significance of differences
between sample means were calculated by Duncan
multiple range test using SPSS for Windows
(Standard Version 12.0 SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL.), P
values 0.05 were regarded as significant and P
0.01 as very significant.
3-RESULTS
Analysis of polyphenolic composition
1. Total phenols
All organ ethyl acetate extracts exhibited high
polyphenol contents, comprised between 221.0 and
2826.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g DW (mg
GAE/100 g DW) (Table 2). For vegetative organ
ethyl acetate extracts, the leaves (F4) and stems (R2)
in green fruit stage present the highest content in total
phenols (2825.0 mg GAE/100 g DW and 2160.0 mg
GAE/100 g DW, respectively). For reproductive
organs, floral buds and green fruits ethyl acetate
extracts show the highest contents in total phenols
with respectively 1023.7 mg GAE/100 g DW and
2826.2 mg GAE/100 g DW. Ethyl acetate extract
from leaves harvested in green fruit stage and this
from green fruits had similar total phenol content.
2. Total flavonoids. For vegetative organ, ethyl
acetate extracts from shoots (F1), young (F2) and
mature leaves (F3), and stems (R2) in green fruit
stage present the higher content in total flavonoids
(845.3 0.3, 814.8 7.1, 874.2 0.78, 737.8 0.0
mg rutin/100 g DW, respectively. Ethyl acetate
extracts from reproductive organs contained low
contents of total flavonoids (358.9 mg rutin/100 g
DW for floral buds and 10.7 mg rutin/100 g DW for
seeds) (Table 2).
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
3. Total proanthocyanidins
Total proanthocyanidins follows the same
evolution of total phenols in vegetative and
reproductive organs. For vegetative organ ethyl
acetate extracts, the leaves (F4) and stems (R2) in
green fruit stage present the highest content in total
proanthocyanidins, 2055.1 mg cyanidin chloride/100
g DW and 1932.8 mg cyanidin chloride/100 g DW,
respectively. For reproductive organs, floral bud (A)
and green fruit (C) ethyl acetate extracts show high
contents in total proanthocyanidins, 850.2 mg
cyanidin chloride/100 DW and 1456.1 mg cyanidin
chloride/100 DW, respectively (Table 2).
Analysis of the main individual phenolics
As shown in figure 1, according to HPLC data,
the ethyl acetate extract contains primarily (-)
epicatechin, as major oligomeric proanthocyanidins
including the procyanidin B2 dimer, major
flavonoids (hyperoside, spiraeoside, rutin,
isoquercitrin and quercetin), and chlorogenic acid as
major phenol acid (Table 2).
For vegetative organs, ethyl acetate extracts from
leaves (F3) and stems (R2) were the richest in
flavonoids, epicatechins and chlorogenic acid. For
reproductive organs, those from floral buds (A) were
the richest in chlorogenic acid and hyperoside and
those from the green fruits (C) were the richest in
rutin, spiraeoside, isoquercitrin, quercetin and
epicatechin (Table 2).
Antioxidant activity
The comparative antioxidative activities in
ABTS+ and DPPH models are given (Table 2) as
mol trolox-equivalents/100 g DW. All ethyl acetate
organ extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity
(160.2 - 2646.3 mol trolox/100 g DW by DPPH test
and 164.1 -2676.8 mol trolox/100 g DW by ABTS
test) (Table 2). For all the extracts (Table 2), the
decreasing order efficiencies in the ABTS+ test was
as follow:
R2>F4>F2>F1>C>B>F3>A>D>R1>R3>F5>E.
Similar results were obtained in the DPPH test:
C>F4>R2>F2>F1>A>F3>D>B>E>R1>R3>F5.
Analysis of the ethyl acetate extracts (Table 2) shows
a rather similar pattern in both ABTS+ and DPPH
systems. The three most efficient samples are stems
(R2), leaves (F4) and green fruits (C).
Antibacterial effect
The in vitro antibacterial effects of the ethyl
acetate extracts towards the tested bacteria were
studied via the presence or the absence of inhibition
zones, MIC and MBC values. According to the
results given in table 3, the ethyl acetate extract of C.
azarolus var. eu-azarolus mature leaves (F4), and
stems (R2) harvested at green fruit stage, and green
fruits (C) exhibited the stronger antibacterial activity
against all pathogenic bacteria Gram+ tested. A lower
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activity was reported against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and no activity against Escherichia coli
and Salmonella typhimurium. The ethyl acetate
extracts of C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus organs were
more active against Staphylococcus aureus, S.
epidermis and M. luteus, presenting an important
growth inhibition at 15 mg/ml and very lower MIC
and MBC. Inhibition diameter varied between 0 to
22.7 mm for S. epidermis, between 0 to 21.3 mm for
S. aureus and between 0 to 25.7 mm for M. luteus.
Lower Inhibition diameters were observed for P.
aeruginosa (0 to 10.7 mm). The antibacterial activity
of the ethyl acetate extract tested was more
pronounced against Gram-positive than against
Gram-negative bacteria. This result was in agreement
with many studies realized on other plant species as
those of Nostro et al. (2000), Ouattara et al. (1997)
and Yayli et al. (2005). This generally higher
resistance among Gram-negative bacteria could be
ascribed to the presence of their outer membrane,
surrounding the cell wall, which restricts diffusion of
hydrophobic compounds through its
lipopolysaccharide covering (Ratledge and
Wilkinson, 1988). The absence of this barrier in
Gram-positive bacteria allows the direct contact of
the ethyl extracts hydrophobic constituents with the
phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane, causing
either an increase of ion permeability and leakage of
vital intracellular constituents, or impairment of the
bacterial enzyme systems (Wendakoon and
Sakaguchi, 1995; Cowan, 1999).
Correlation between phenolic composition and
antioxidant activity
As shown in table 4, both TEACDPPH and
TEACABTS assays show similar trend in antioxidant
potentials (r = 0.93). There was a strong correlation
between antioxidant activities and total phenol
contents (TEACDPPH: r = 0.94; TEACABTS: r = 0.78)
and with total phenol proanthocyanidins (TEACDPPH:
r = 0.94; TEACABTS: r = 0.91). The flavonoid
contents weakly influenced the antioxidant potencies
of the Crataegus ethyl acetate extract (TEACDPPH: r =
0.22; TEACABTS: r = 0.65). Coefficient correlation
also show important contribution of the contents in
quercetin (TEACDPPH: r =0.83; TEACABTS: r = 0.54)
and spiraeoside (TEACDPPH: r =0.70; TEACABTS: r =
0.35). The other compound contents weakly
influenced the antioxidant potencies of the Crataegus
ethyl acetate extract chlorogenic acid (TEACDPPH: r =
0.27; TEACABTS: r = 0.32) hyperoside (TEACDPPH: r
= 0.27; TEACABTS: r = 0.31), rutin (TEACDPPH: r =
0.48; TEACABTS: r = 0.16) isoquercitrin (TEACDPPH: r
= 0.13; TEACABTS: r = 0.09), (-)-epicatechin and
procyanidin B2 (TEACDPPH: r = 0.47; TEACABTS: r =
0.03).
Correlation between phenolic composition and
antibacterial activity
As shown in table 4, there is a strong correlation
between antibacterial activity (ID, CMI and CMB)
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
and phenolic composition. In fact, there is a strong
positive correlation between total phenols, total
proathocyanidins and inhibition diameter of the three
Gram+ bacteria. The correlation coefficients between
ID resulting against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, M.
luteus and P. aeruginosa and total phenols are
respectively 0.85, 0.67, 0.87 and 0.65. The
correlation coefficients between MIC and MBC of
extracts against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, and M.
luteus and total phenols are - 0.81, - 0.64 and -0.68.
The correlation coefficients between ID resulting
against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, M. luteus and P.
aeruginosa and total proanthocyanidins are
respectively 0.88, 0.72, 0.86 and 0.62. The
correlation coefficients between MIC and MBC of
extracts against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, and M.
luteus and total proanthocyanidins are -0.83, - 0.69
and -0.75. For individual phenols, there is a strong
correlation coefficient between antibacterial activity
and spiraeoside and quercetin (Table 4).
4-DISCUSSION
The medicinal use of Crataegus has a long
tradition with written records dating back to ancient
Roman times (Veveris et al., 2004).The constituents
of Crataegus have been the subjects of intensive
investigations for a long time (Bahorun et al., 1994;
Shahat et al. 1995; Melikoglu and Merili 2000;
Zhang et al., 2001; Cai et al., 2004; Svedstrom et al .,
2006, Soko-etowska et al., 2006; Urbonaviciute et
al., 2006; Cui et al., 2006), but intention has not been
directed at Crataegus azarolus. In fact, a few studies
(Ker'y et al., 1987) were interested for the
polyphenolic composition of Crataegus azarolus and
its antioxidant activity (Twaij et al., 1987; Ljubuncic
et al., 2005).
We were particularly interested in determining
the phenolic composition, antioxidant and
antibacterial propensities of Crataegus azarolus var.
eu-azarolus from Tunisia. The results show that ethyl
acetate extract of Crataegus azarolus var eu-azarolus
was rich in polyphenols, this is in accordance with
results of Bahorun et al. (1994) on Crataegus
monogyna. Crataegus azarolus ethyl acetate extract
present lower contents in total phenols, total
flavonoids and total proanthocyanidins than ethyl
extract of Crataegus monogyna (Bahorun et al.,
1994). This difference can be attributed to effect of
genotypes (different species) and can be attributed to
extraction protocol (Goli et al., 2004).
HPLC analysis of ethyl acetate extracts of
Crataegus azarolus var. eu-azarolus demonstrates the
presence of chlorogenic acid as the main phenol acid.
Its in accordance with studies of (Bahorun et al.,
1994; Urbonaviciute et al., 2006) in Crataegus
monogyna, Zhang et al. (2001); Cai et al. (2004); Cui
et al. (2006) in Crataegus pinnatifida. Ethyl acetate
Crataegus azarolus extract present lower amount in
this phenol acid compared with other species, such as
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C. monogyna which present 322 mg/100 g dry weight
chlorogenic acid in bud flower and 69 mg/100 g dry
weight in opening flowers (Bahorun et al., 1994).
Contrast results in amount of this phenolic acid in C.
pinnatifida fruits were identified. Zhang et al. (2001)
demonstrate the presence of 64,9 mg/100 g dry
weight, when Cui et al. (2006), suggest the presence
of 1210 mg/100 g dry weight of chlorogenic acid.
Hyperoside is the main flavonoid detected in
ethyl acetate extracts of Crataegus azarolusvar. eu-
azarolus. This in accordance with all studies in
hawthorn species (Bahorun et al., 1994; Zhang et al.,
2001; Cai et al., 2004; Urbonaviciute et al., 2006; Cui
et al., 2006). Ethyl acetate extract of Crataegus
monogyna bud flower present 547 mg/100 g dry
weight (Bahorun et al., 1994). This amount is higher
than amount found in ethyl acetate extract of
Crataegus azarolus bud flower. Ethyl acetate extract
of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit contain 24.6 mg/100 g
dry weight (Zhang et al., 2001) and 280 mg/100 g
dry weight (Cui et al., 2006).
Rutin and spiraeoside were detected with higher
amounts than other species of Crataegus such as C.
monogyna, C. pinnatifida. In fact, Zhang et al. 2001,
demonstrate the presence of 2.6 mg/100 g dry weight
rutin in ethyl acetate fruit extract.
(-) Epicatechin and dimer procyanidin B2 as the
main catechins were detected in ethyl acetate extract
of Crataegus azarolus var. eu-azarolus. Its in
accordance with previous studies on ethyl acetate
extract of Crataegus monogyna (Bahorun et al.,
1994; Urbonaviciute et al., 2006), of Crataegus
pinnatifida (Zhang et al., 2001; Cai et al., 2004; Cui
et al., 2006), of Crataegus laevigata (Svedstrom et
al., 2002; Svedstrom et al., 2006) and of Crataegus
oxyacanthus (Svedstrom et al., 2006; Soko-
etowska et al., 2006). Ethyl acetate fraction of bud
flower of C. monogyna contain amounts of (-)
epicatechin and dimer procyanidin B2, 884 mg/100 g
dry weight and 135 mg/100 g dry weight
respectively, when opening flower contains 157
mg/100 g dry weight and 44 mg/100 g dry weight
(Bahorun et al., 1994). Ethyl acetate fraction of
Crataegus pinnatifida fruit contains 178.3 mg/100 g
dry weight according to Zhang et al. 2001, but
according to Cui et al., 2006 this fraction contain
9860 mg/100 g dry weight of (-) epicatechin and
5900 mg/100g dry weight of procyanidin dimer B2.
We have observed rapid and strong inhibition of
both DPPH radical and ABTS radical cation after the
addition of ethyl acetate fraction of Crataegus
azarolus.
High antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extracts
of Crataegus azarolus with DPPH and ABTS
radicals were shown. Green fruit, bud flowers, leaves
and stems in green fruit stage present the higher
antioxidant activity. This is in accordance with the
study of Bahorun et al. (1994), that demonstrate that
bud flower and green fruit present the higher % of
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]
inhibition of malondialdehyde formation compared to
opening flower. Ljubuncic et al, (2005), demonstrate
that a decoction of leaf and green fruit of Crataegus
azarolus var. aronia inhibit -carotene and plasmatic
oxidation, inhibit lipidic peroxidation and scavenged
the radical O2. Zhang et al. (2001) demonstrate the
inhibition of LDL peroxidation with ethyl acetate
fraction of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit. Cui et al.
(2006), demonstrate the oxygen radical scavenging
capacity and enzyme inhibition of ethyl acetate
fraction of crataegus pinnatifida fruit. This strong
antioxidant capacity has been related mainly to
chlorogenic acid, and hyperoside (Bahorun et al.,
1994; Zhang et al., 2001), to (-) epicatechin and
procyanidin dimer B2 (Bahorun et al., 1994; Zhang
et al., 2001; Cui et al., 2006), to rutin, quercetin and
isoquercitrin (Zhang et al., 2001). Ethyl acetate
fraction of Crataegus azarolus presents all this
compounds and a strong correlation was shown with
all this compounds and the antioxidant capacity of
this fraction.
The ethyl acetate C.azarolus var. eu-azarolus
extract was found more active against all Gram+
bacteria that and against Gram-. Gven et al. (2006)
found that the ethyl acetate extract of Crataegus
tanacetifolia was active against M. luteus (inhibition
diameter equal to 12 mm), E.coli (inhibition diameter
equal to 9 mm), P. aeruginosa (inhibition diameter
equal to 12 mm) and S. aureus (inhibition diameter
equal to 9 mm). Orhan et al. (2007) found that
methanolic extract of fruit and leaves Crataegus
azarolus var. aronia present a MIC equal to 128
g/ml against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and a
MIC equal to 64 g/ml against E. coli.
The antibacterial activity was attributed to the
presence of a high concentration of phenols and
correlation coefficients demonstrate a strong
correlation with total phenols, total proanthocyandins
and the antibacterial capacity of this fraction.
Rodriguez Vaquero et al. (2007) demonstrate the
relationship between phenol concentration and
antibacterial activity of red wines. According to
Cushnie and Lamb (2005), flavonoids group has an
antibacterial activity. This group exhibited a
bactericidal effect against bacteria and has been
found to inhibit production of amylase and proteases
by the susceptible bacteria, deteriorate cell wall and
cause a high degree of cell lyses. The hydroxyl group
on flavonoids is thought to bind to proteins,
preventing enzyme action in the bacteria.
The antibacterial nature of the C. azarolus ethyl
acetate extract studied was apparently related again
to the presence of phenols but it was important to
point out the synergistic effects of major and minor
constituents present in the ethyl acetate extract and
that they should be taken into consideration to
account for their biological activity (Rodriguez et al.,
2007). The antibacterial activity appears to correlate
well with the total phenols and total
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proanthocyanidins values of ethyl acetate extract of
C.a. var. eu-azarolus. It is suggested that the
phenolic compounds which are antioxidants are
responsible for the antibacterial activity (Cushnie and
Lamb, 2005). High amounts of polyphenols and
proanthocyaninds and significant antioxidant activity
were observed in the extracts. Our results also show
the significant correlation between the amounts of
polyphenols with the antibacterial activity against S.
aureus and S. epidermis and M. luteus. It can be
concluded that Tunisian C. azarolus, may serve as a
very good source of potential antioxidant and
antibacterial agents. Therefore, this study was
planned to find whether Tunisian Crataegus azarolus
could be used for therapeutic purposes. Our results
postulate that C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus of
Tunisian origin could be a good alternative source as
a crude drug material.
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mAU
6

1 2 3
5
7 8

Min

Figure1: Typical HPLC chromatogram of ethyl acetate extracts of Crataegus azarolus var. euazarolus.
1: Chlorogenic acid; 2: procyanidin B2, 3: (-)-epicatechin, 4: rutin, 5: hyperoside, 6: spiraeoside, 7:
isoquercetrin, 8: quercetin

Table 1. Dates of harvest and corresponding organs studied. In all cases leaves and stems were separated from
flowers and fruits except for the youngest stage.
Stage of development Harvest dates
Vegetative organs Reproductive organs
Shoots (F1) - 20/02/2004
Young leaves (F2) - 27/02/2004

Mature leaves (F3) Floral buds (A) 20/03/2004

Stems (R1)

- Opened flowers (B) 30/03/2004

Mature leaves (F4) Green fruits (C) 01/07/2004

Stems (R2)
Mature leaves (F5) Red fruits (D) 25/09/2004
stems (R3) Seeds (E)

133
 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 R1 R2 R3 A B C D E

Total phenols 978.731. 1181.380.7 423.917.5 2825.056.8 537.89.0 789.610.3 2160.040.2 221.0 54.2 1023.765.0 991.35.1 2826.22.3 381.83.8 286.828.2
mg GAE/100 g DW 3

Total flavonoids 845.30.3 814.87.1 874.20.7 491.23.7 209.811.2 193.61.8 737.80.0 216.10.4 358.91.8 345.70.5 96.40.2 107.10.2 10.70.0
mg rutin/100
g DW

Total proantho-
cyanidins
mg cyanidin 888.15.6 1026.61.4 382.30.9 2055.130.1 482.00.9 341.67.7 1932.89.2 192.10.0 850.21.7 521.04.9 1456.17.7 331.83.6 249.20.0
chloride/100 g DW

Chorogenic acid 14.0 24.7 324.5 228.0 128.0 10.0 159.5 36.0 205.8 17.4 59.2 15.0 5.6
mg/100 g DW
SIPAM 2009

Hyperoside 44.5 142.3 158.6 151.8 105.8 47.2 129.8 60.4 299.6 21.7 65.7 15.4 7.3
mg/100 g DW
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Rutin 25.7 46.8 95.3 48.8 56.9 34.4 52.6 24.8 83.0 9.4 128.8 52.6 5.5
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales

mg/100 g DW

Spiraecoside 43.0 62.0 95.1 142.8 51.6 43.0 82.2 40.2 196.5 64.6 237.8 19.3 4.1
mg/100 g DW

Quercetin 5.3 10.2 15.3 44.7 10.0 6.7 49.2 24.9 26.7 3.1 63.1 25.1 1.3
mg/100 g DW

Isoquercitrin 33.4 41.3 53.4 43.1 53.4 33.0 29.5 36.6 48.4 7.3 35.1 23.3 17.3
mg/100 g DW

(-) 70.5 45.8 509.8 168.7 68.8 60.0 178.1 86.1 123.4 5.1 1427.3 594.4 80.6
Epicatechin
mg/100 g DW

Procyanidin B2 69.7 45.3 504.2 166.8 68.1 59.4 176.1 85.1 122.0 5.0 221.1 187.9 79.7
mg/100 g DW

DPPH 1026.6 1106.1 378.5 2645.1 160.2 231.0 2022.4 207.0 893.6 331.7 2646.3 357.5 268.5
mol trolox/100

ABTS 1699.2 1769.4 986.4 2500.3 396.5 573.4 2676.8 535.3 875.1 1055.5 1354.2 576.9 164.1
mol trolox/100g DW
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]

Table 2. Total phenols, total proanthocyanidins, total flavonoids, individual phenols and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) of ethyl acetate extracts from
vegetative and reproductive organs of Crataegus azarolus var. eu-azarolus
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136

134
 Tableau 3 : Antibacterial activity (ID, MIC and MBC) of ethyl acetate extracts from vegetative and reproductive organs of Crataegus azarolus var. eu-azarolus

Bacteria Organs F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 R1 R2 R3 A B C D E
Amp2.
Amp.
Ampicillin; ID1 (mm)
14.7 18.7 8.7 22.3 7.7 11.0 24.7 0.0 20.3 8.7 22.7 8.3 0.0 18.0

Staphylococcus 625.0 625.0 625.0 156.3 1250.0 625.0 78.1 1250.0 312.5 1250.0 156.3 1250.0 1250.0
ID. The CMI (g/ml)
epidermis
inhibition 625.0 625.0 625.0 156.3 1250.0 625.0 78.1 1250.0 312.5 1250.0 156.3 1250.0 1250.0
CMB (g/ml)
zone;
ID1 (mm)
15.3 18.0 18.3 18.7 0.0 10.0 21.3 0.0 19.3 0.0 21.7 8.3 0.0 17.0
SIPAM 2009

Staphylococcus 156.3 156.3 156.3 156.3 1250.0 625.0 78.1 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 39.1 1250.0 1250.0
MIC. CMI (g/ml)
aureus
minimal
CMB (g/ml) 156.3 156.3 156.3 156.3 1250.0 625.0 78.1 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 39.1 1250.0 1250.0
inhibitory
Actes du sminaire international

concentration;
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales

ID1 (mm)
13.7 11.7 15.0 24.3 7.7 11.0 24.7 8.0 18.3 8.3 25.7 10.3 0.0 18.0

Micrococcus 625.0 312.5 156.3 156.3 1250.0 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 39.1 1250.0 1250.0
CMI (g/ml)
luteus
MBC. CMB (g/ml) 625.0 312.5 156.3 156.3 1250.0 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 78.1 1250.0 39.1 1250.0 1250.0
minimal
bactericidal ID1 (mm)
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.0

concentration Salmonella
CMI (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500
typhimurium

CMB (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500

1
Tested at the ID1 (mm)
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.0
concentration
of 150g/DisqEscherichia coli CMI (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500

CMB (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500

ID1 (mm)
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.3 0.0 0.0 9.0
2
Tested at the
[Bahri-Sahloul R. et al.,]

concentrationscherichia coli CMI (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 1250 >2500 >2500 >2500 1250 >2500 >2500
of 10 g/Disq
CMB (g/ml) >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 >2500 1250 >2500 >2500 >2500 1250 >2500 >2500
. .
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :125-136

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Table 4. Correlation coefficients between phenolics and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS) and
antibacterial activity

Staphylococcus Staphylo- Micrococcus Pseudomonas

epidermis coccus Luteus aeruginosa
aureus
DPPH ABTS ID CMI CMB ID CMI CMB ID CMI CMB ID CMI CMB
Total phenols 0.97 0.78 0.85 -0.81 -0.81 0.67 -0.64 -0.64 0.87 -0.69 -0.69 0.65 -0.67 -0.67
Total flavonoids 0.22 0.65 0.42 -0.44 -0.44 0.56 -0.64 -0.64 0.35 -0.58 -0.58 0.04 -0.01 -0.01
Total
proanthocyanidins 0.94 0.91 0.88 -0.83 -0.83 0.72 -0.69 -0.69 0.86 -0.75 -0.75 0.62 -0.61 -0.61
Chorogenic acid 0.27 0.32 0.34 -0.48 -0.48 0.49 -0.49 -0.49 0.51 -0.63 -0.63 0.08 -0.06 -0.06
Hyperoside 0.27 0.31 0.54 -0.57 -0.57 0.58 -0.61 -0.61 0.49 -0.70 -0.70 0.02 -0.01 -0.01
Rutin 0.48 0.16 0.53 -0.57 -0.57 0.66 -0.58 -0.58 0.67 -0.68 -0.68 0.47 -0.51 -0.51
Spiraeoside 0.70 0.35 0.70 -0.72 -0.72 0.66 -0.65 -0.65 0.78 -0.75 -0.75 0.46 -0.49 -0.49
Quercetin 0.83 0.54 0.66 -0.68 -0.68 0.61 -0.49 -0.49 0.85 -0.63 -0.63 0.76 -0.77 -0.77
Isoquercitrin 0.13 0.09 0.26 -0.37 -0.37 0.41 -0.46 -0.46 0.33 -0.47 -0.47 -0.09 0.09 0.09
Epicatechin 0.47 0.03 0.29 -0.32 -0.32 0.41 -0.28 -0.28 0.49 -0.37 -0.37 0.56 -0.61 -0.61
Procyanidin dimer
B2 0.47 0.03 0.29 -0.32 -0.32 0.41 -0.28 -0.28 0.49 -0.37 -0.37 0.56 -0.21 -0.21

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Khaghani S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Investigation of macro and micro elements effects on some quantitative

traits of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Khaghani S.
Student of Natural Resources of Islamic Azad Uni. of Torbat-e Jam- Iran and a member of Young Researchers
Club. Saeedehkhaghani@yahoo.com
A. Mollafilabi
Member of Scientific Board of Agricultural College, Islamic Azad University of Torbat-e Jam - Iran
H. Shoorideh
Chief Director of East Love of Sun Land Co. Mashhad- Iran.

Abstract:
Chicory is a drug plant that its flower and especially its leaves and roots are used for their
pharmaceutical characteristics like blood filtration, lenitive and antipyretic. Agronomic factors like
fertilizers have effective roles to obtain the best dried biomass yield and root yield. This
investigation has been conducted to study effects of macro and micro elements fertilizers in dry
and semi dry climate of Torbat-e Jam- Iran in the form of RCB design with 3 replications in 2008.
Treatments were Control, Urea 46% (150 kg/ha), 12-6-40 of NPK (1.7 kg/ha), 20-20-20 of NPK
(1.7 kg/ha), 28-14-14 (1.4 kg/ha.) and complete fertilizer in two stages. Traits under study were
dried and fresh weight of shoots, total dried and fresh weight of plant, dried and fresh weight of
root, and plant height. Results showed that all traits were significant at 1% level. Means compared
by Duncans test. The highest total fresh and dried weight of plant (biomass), dried weight of root
were 2050, 416 and 138 kg/ha that obtained from Urea treatment, respectively. Dried weight of
root to fresh weight of root was 2 to 8. Therefore Urea fertilizer at 2 stages produced the highest
economical yield (dried weight of root) at the experimental conditions.
Keywords: Chicory- Macro and Micro elements fertilizer- yield

1-INTRODUCTION Ecological factors like; date of planting, method

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) related to
Asteraceae family that has pharmaceutical
characteristics like blood filtration, lenitive,
antipyretic, appetizer, convenient digestion, liver
reinforcer, digestive system, and increase of bile
secretion (Valizade et al., 2007). This plant is one of
the most important medicinal plants and is one of the
most important insulin resources that are because of
the high potential root yield of chicory and high
concentration of sugar in it (Omidbighi, 2001).
Chicory extensive adaptation to different climates
is related to its high ecologic flexibility and is one the
important plant genetic resources. Chicory has a
good vegetative growth in arid and semi arid
circumstances and can be a good substitution for
some sensitive and expensive plants.
Because of the important role of chicory in
medicine and food technology, do agronomical
research on it is necessary. So, in order to obtain high
economical yield in each plant we should pay
attention to agronomical factors. Also, efficient use
of environmental factors like; water, light, nutrient
minerals and date of planting is important (Sepehry
& Dehaghi, 2004).
of culturing, density, irrigation, applied fertilizers,
weeds control, harvesting time, and other production
and management factors at different climates can
influence on qualitative and quantitative components
of chicory. So, this research has been done to
investigate effects of different fertilizers on yield and
yield components of chicory in Torbat-e Jam, Iran.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
The location for this research was at Torbat-e-
Jam with hot and dry climate. Its elevation is 1000 m
from sea level with minimum and maximum rainfall
equal to 117mm and 200mm, respectively. Its annual
average temperature is 15.5c and its annual average
maximum and minimum temperature is 43 c and -
24.5c, respectively. Its annual average humidity is
51%. Soil texture was loamy with pH 8.2.
This experiment has been conducted in complete
randomize design with 3 replications and 6
treatments (Control, Urea 46% (150 kg/ha), 12-6-40
of NPK (1.7 kg/ha), 20-20-20 of NPK (1.7 kg/ha),
28-14-14 (1.4 kg/ha.) and complete fertilizer) in
2008.
Date of planting was on 12th June of 2008 and
date of sampling was on 31st of October.

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SIPAM 2009
Dimensions of plots were 2*3 m (6m2) and
distances between blocks were 2m and distances
between plots were 0.5m. Fertilizers were applied in
two stages (First spray was done at 1st day of
December and second spray was done at mid-
December). Weeds were controlled twice by hand
and sampling was done by a 0.5*0.5 quadrate after
removing border effects. Measured traits were dried
and fresh weight of shoots, total dried and fresh
weight of plant, ratios of dried and fresh weight of
shoot to dried and fresh weight of root, ratio of dried
weight of root to fresh weight of root and plant
height. Data were analyzed by SAS software and
means were compared by use of Duncans multiple
range test. Graphs were drowned by use of Excel
software.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of different fertilizers on dried weight of
shoots was significant at 1% level, also, means
comparison showed that application of Urea had
highest dried weight of shoots (Fig. 1).
Effect of different fertilizers on fresh weight of
shoots was significant at 1% level, also, means
comparison showed that application of Urea had
highest fresh weight of shoots (Fig. 2).
Effect of different fertilizers on total dried weight
of plant was significant at 1% level; also, means
comparison showed that application of Urea
treatment had the highest total dried weight of plant
(Fig. 3).
Effect of different fertilizers on total fresh weight
of plant was significant at 1% level; also, means
comparison showed that application of Urea
treatment had the highest total fresh weight of plant
(Fig. 4).
Effect of different fertilizers on fresh weight of
root was significant at 1% level; also, means
comparison showed that application of Urea
treatment had the highest fresh weight of root (Fig.
5).
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :119-124
[Khaghani S. et al.,]
Effect of different fertilizers on dried weight of
root was significant at 1% level; also, means compa-
rison showed that application of Urea treatment had
the highest dried weight of root (Fig. 6).
Effect of different fertilizers on plant height was
significant at 1% level; also, means comparison
showed that application of Urea treatment had the
highest plant height (Fig. 7).
These results showed that the best treatment in
order to obtain the highest economical yield (fresh
and dried) was application of Urea fertilizer that
disagree with Custic et al. (2006) results that show
The highest yield was achieved with 100 and 150 g
m-2 mineral fertilizer NPK 5-20-30. From the agro
ecological point of view, we can conclude that
fertilization with 100 g m-2 NPK 5-20-30 is rational
and sufficient for chicory production, and that
potassium plays an especially important role for an
efficient production of red head chicory.
Literature Cited
-Custic, M.H., N. Toth, M. Poljak, L. Coga, M.
Ljubicic, T. Cosic, L. Pavlovic, M. Pecina. 2006.
International Symposium towards Ecologically
Sound Fertilization Strategies for Field
Vegetable Production. ISHS Acta Horticulture
700
-Omidbighi, R. 2001. Production and processing of
drug Plants, Volume 3, Astan Quds Press. Pp
397.
-Sepehry, A., and M. Amini Dehaghi. 2004. Effect of
date of planting on yield and yield components
of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). The 2nd
Congress of Medicinal Plants. Tehran
University, Tehran. Iran.
-Valizade, M., M. Saeidi, and M.T. Mirakzehi. 2007.
Evaluation of different levels of Chicory
(Cichorium intybus L.) flower on broiler chicks
performance. The 3rd Congress of Medicinal
Plants. Shahed University, Tehran. Iran.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Khaghani S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

dried weight of shoots (g/sq. m)

300.00 a
ab ab
250.00 bc
c c
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea
fertilizer 46%

Figure 1: Effect of different fertilizers on dry weight of shoots

1600.00
Fresh weight of shoots (g/ sq. m)

a
1400.00
b b
1200.00 b
d d
1000.00
800.00
600.00
400.00
200.00
0.00
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizer rates

Fig.2: Effect of different fertilizers on fresh weight of shoots

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Khaghani S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

450.0
Total dried weight of plant(g/sq. m)

a
400.0 ab ab
bc
350.0 bc c
300.0
250.0
200.0
150.0
100.0
50.0
0.0
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizer rates

Fig.3: Effect of different fertilizers on total dried weight of plant

2500
Total fresh weight of plant(g/sq.m)

a
2000 b b
c
d d
1500

1000

500

0
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizers rates

Fig.4: Effect of different fertilizers on total fresh weight of plant

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800.00
Fresh weight of root(g/sq.m)

a
700.00 ab
ab
600.00 bc
c c
500.00
400.00
300.00
200.00
100.00
0.00
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizers rates

Fig.5: Effect of different fertilizers on fresh weight of root

160.00
a
Dried weight of root(g/sq.m)

140.00 ab ab
120.00 bc
c c
100.00
80.00
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizer rates

Fig.6: Effect of different fertilizers on dried weight of root

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45.00 a
40.00 b b
cm 35.00 c
d d
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
28-14-14 12-6-40 20-20-20 complete control Urea 46%
fertilizer
Fertilizers rates

Fig.7: Effect of different fertilizers on plant height

124
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Laouer H. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils

of Hippomarathrum libanotis Koch

Hocine Laouer
Laboratoire de valorisation des ressources biologiques, Dpartement de Biologie, Universit de Stif, Mabouda,
19000, Stif, Algrie
Soizic Prado
Musum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Molcule de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes. FRE
3206 CNRS/MNHN 63 rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France
Nicolas Baldovini
Universit de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Laboratoire de Chimie des Molcules Bioactives et des Armes, CNRS
UMR 6001, Parc Valrose, F-06108 Nice cedex 2, France.
Nacira Boulaacheb
Laboratoire de valorisation des ressources biologiques, Dpartement de Biologie, Universit de Stif, Mabouda,
19000, Stif, Algrie
Salah Akkal
Dpartement de chimie, Universit S. Mentouri, Constantine, Algrie.

Abstract:
The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from Hippomarathrum libanotis
(Apiaceae) was analyzed by GC-MS and 25 components were identified. -3-carene (26.1%), -
pinene (18.5%), -terpinene (9.4%) and trans caryophyllene (7.0%) were the main components.
The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was essayed against six strains of bacteria:
Escherichia coli ATCC 9739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Nocardia asteroides ATCC
19247, Enterococcus faecalis CIP 102712, Klebsiella pneumonia, S. hemolyticus and two fungi.
Candida albicans resulted to be the most sensitive micro-organism.
Keywords: alpha- pinene, antimicrobial and antifungal activities, Apiaceae, delta-3-carene,
gamma-terpinene.

1-INTRODUCTION daltitudesdanslEstalgrien(362141.88N;5
Hippomarathrum libanotis Koch est une plante 2557.64E),aumoisdeMai2008.Laplanteest
vivace de 40 80 cm de hauteur, feuilles divises dbarrasse des impurets puis sche lombre
en lanires. Linflorescence jaune en ombelle de 8 unetempratureambiante.
rayons en moyenne. Cette espce est la seule du 2. Souches microbiennes
genre Hippomarathrum qui existe en Algrie, mais Lactivit antimicrobienne de lhuile essentielle
avec deux sous espces (ssp. Bocconei (Boiss.) a t value sur 3 souches bactriennes en prove-
Maire et ssp. pterochlaenum (Boiss.) Maire. (Quezel nance de lAmerican Type Culture Collection : E.
et santa, 1963). Elle est connue localement sous le coli ATCC 9739, N. asteroides ATCC 19247, ainsi
nom Besbes et Hamir (Trabut, 2006). Daprs nos que sur dautres souches microbiennes : E. faecalis
recherches bibliographiques, peu de travaux ont t CIP 102712, K. pneumoniae (IBMC Strasbourg), S.
consacrs ltude de la composition chimique et de hemolyticus (IBMC Strasbourg), Escherichia coli
lactivit biologique de lhuile essentielle de H. PQ37, Salmonella enteritidis (IBMC Strasbourg),
libanotis ; Cependant, plusieurs tudes ont t Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Ces souches
conduites sur lhuile de H. microcarpum (Sefidkon proviennent en grande partie du souchier de lInstitut
and Shaabani, 2003 ; zer el al., 2007 ; Khalilzadeh Pasteur (France) ou encore du souchier du
et al., 2007), sur lhuile de H. boissieri (Baser et al., laboratoire de bactriologie, du Musum dHistoire
2000), ainsi que sur lhuile de H. cristatum (zer el Naturelle de Paris. La sensibilit dun parasite
al., 2007). Lobjet de la prsente tude et dtudier la (Plasmodium falciparum FcB1) responsable du
composition chimique et lactivit biologique paludisme a t teste. En fin, deux champignons
(antimicrobienne, antipaludique et lactivit Aspergillus niger IP 1431.83 et C. albicans (IBMC
mutagne) de lhuile de H. libanotis. Strasbourg), ont fait galement lobjet de la prsente
tude.
2-MATERIEL ET METHODES 3. Milieux de culture
1.Matrielvgtal La culture des bactries a ncessit lutilisation
La partie arienne dH. libanoti Koch est du milieu de culture Mueller Hinton agar (MH)
recueilliedanslesenvironsdAmouchas,935m except pour N. asteroides qui a ncessit le HBI

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
(Heart Brain Infusion). Pour la culture dA. niger, le
milieu utilis est lextrait de malt agaris. Le milieu
Sabouraud a t utilis pour la culture de C.
albicans. Plusieurs antibiotiques et antifongiques on
t utiliss comme tmoins positifs (ampicilline,
ttracycline, itraconazole et fongizone).
Extraction des huiles essentielles.
Le matriel vgtal est coup en parties trs fines dampicilline 50 g/ml pendant 24 h a 37C. Le
(2-5mm) et soumis lhydrodistillation en se servant
du dispositif dextraction type Clevenger pendant 3
heures. Lhuile est sche sur sulfate de sodium et
conserve dans un flacon opaque des tempratures
basses (4-5C).
1. Analyse des huiles essentielles
La sparation et lidentification des constituants
des huiles essentielles ont t ralises par
chromatographie en phase gazeuse couple la
spectromtrie de masse (CPG/MS) colonne
apolaire au dpartement des sciences chimiques,
luniversit Sophia antibolis (Nice). En plus de
multiples rfrences bibliographiques (Adams,
2001 ; Joulain and Knig, 1998; Joulain et al.,
2001), plusieurs bases de donns sont utilises pour
lidentification des constituants Nist 98, Wiley 275,
BACIS, 1999, etc.
2. Etude de lactivit antibactrienne
in vitro des huiles essentielles
Ltude qualitative de lactivit antibactrienne majoritaires sont : -3-carene (26.1%), -pinene
des huiles essentielles est ralise par la technique
du contact direct (mthode de diffusion dagar). Une
tude quantitative par dtermination de la
Concentration Minimale Inhibitrice (CMI) a ensuite
t ralise pour les produits les plus actifs.
3. Technique par contact direct. Mthode de
diffusion
Ltude est ralise par la mthode de diffusion sont : Hexadecanoic acid (11.6%), nonacosane
(antibiogramme). 5 L de chaque dilution de lhuile
essentielle sont dposs la surface de la glose (12
cm. 40 ml de glose). Les boites de Ptri sont ensuite
incubes ltuve 37C pendant 18 24h. Aprs ce constituants reprsentent 95.2% de lhuile. Lhuile de
dlai, les diamtres des zones dinhibition sont
mesurs. En ce qui concerne les champignons, des
suspensions de cellules fongiques (C. albicans) et de
spores (A. niger) sont prpares partir de pr-
cultures dans le Sabouraud et dans de lextrait de
malt, respectivement.
4. Mthode de dilution
Cette mthode permet la dtermination de la
CMI partir dune gamme de concentration de
lhuile essentielle dans le milieu de culture. Une pr-
culture est ralise par ensemencement dune ose
dans 10 mL de LB suivi dune incubation 37 C 24
H. La pr-culture est ensuite dilue dans du LB au
1/1000me. 100 L sont alors rpartis dans une plaque
96 puits et 2 l de produit sont additionn. Une
dilution au demi est ralise successivement. La
plaque est mise incuber 24 H 37 C. La CMI est
mesure par lecture de la DO 595 nm ou par
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 113-117
[Laouer H. et al.,]
mesure de la turbidit. La dtermination des CMI de
M. bovis BCG a t ralise par addition de
rsazurine (0.01 /).
5.Technique de mutagnse
Une pr-culture dE. coli PQ 37 (souche modifie
dont le gne Lac Z est sous le contrle du rpresseur
LexA) est ralise par addition dun ose dans 5 mL
de milieu Mueller Hinton (LB) en prsence de 50 L
lendemain, 0,1 ml (100 l) de pr-culture est
additionn 5 ml de milieu L en prsence
dampicilline 50 g/ml et cultiv jusqu DO 600
nm=0,4 (0 x108 bactries/ml). Les boites de Ptri
carres sont coules partir de 40 ml de milieu L-
agar, de 20 l ampicilline 100 g/ml, de 60 l X-gal
4% (dans DMSO) et de 4 ml culture PQ 37
(DO600=0,4). Les produits sont alors dposs la
surface de la glose (5 L). Lagent mutagne
contrle utilis est le nifuroxazine (Panfurex) 4%
dilu au 1/100me. Les boites sont ensuite laisses
incuber 24 h 37C. Lapparition dhalos bleu
indique la prsence de substances mutagnes.
3-RESULTATS ET DISCUSION
Lanalyse chimique a permis didentifier 25
constituants reprsentants 96.5 % de lhuile totale
(tableau 1) de H. libanotis. Les constituants
(18.5%), -terpinene (9.4%) et trans caryophyllene
(7.0%). Ces rsultats montrent que lhuile de H.
libanotis se distingue des huiles des autres espces du
genre Hippomarathrum.
80 constituants ont t caractriss dans lhuile de
P. cristatum par zek el al. (2007), ces constituants
reprsentent 91.6% de lhuile dont les plus reprents
(8.0%), germacrene D (6.1%) et le myristicin (4.4%).
Khalilzadeh et al. (2007) ont pu identifier 33
constituants dans lhuile de H. microcarpum. Ces
cette dernire espce est riche en -pinne (15.9%),
-caryophyllene (15.7%), -phellandrene (7.8%) et
germacrene D (6.8%). De leur ct, zer et al.
(2007) ont pu identifier 46 composs reprsentants
84.8% dans lhuile de H. microcarpum, mais avec
dautres constituants majoritaires : bornyl actate
(19.9%), caryophyllene oxide (7.7%), -
caryophyllene (6.3%) et pinocarvone (4.2%).
Lhuile essentielle de H. libanotis a t teste sur
plusieurs microorganismes comme susmentionn. C.
albicans sest montr la plus sensible la dilution
(v/v) avec un diamtre dinhibition de 22 mm (cette
valeur est proche de celle du tmoin (Itaconazole)
la concentration utilise). E. faecalis et N. asteroides
sont modrment sensibles avec un diamtre
dinhibition la mme dilution de 16 mm. Les autres
souches ont montr une rsistance plus ou moins
remarquable (Table 2).
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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
Les Concentrations Moyennes Inhibitrices CMI50
des diffrentes espces varient de 0.06 2.40 mg/ml,
lexception de N. steroides et de S. enteritidis.
Lactivit antiparasitaire sur la souche de P.
falciparum rsistante la chloroquine FcB1, savre
particulirement intressante avec une IC50 : 0.06
g/ml. Nanmoins ces rsultats encourageants
ncessitent lvaluation de la cytotoxicit sur cellules
(en cours) afin de confirmer lintrt dune utilisation
potentielle de cette huile essentielle. Il y a lieu en fin
de signaler que lhuile de H. libanotis ne prsente pas
dactivit mutagne sur E. coli PQ 37 (table 3).
Rfrences bibliographiques
-Adams, R.P. (2001). Identification of essential oil
components by gas chromatography/quadrupole
mass spectroscopy. Carol Stream, Illinois, USA:
Allured Publishing Corporation, 456 p.
-Baser, K.H.C., zek, T. and Ayta, Z. (2000).
Essential oil of Hipomarathrum boissieri Reuter
et Hausskn. J. Essent. Oil Res., 12:213-232.
-Boelens Aroma Chemical information Service
(BACIS) (1999). ESO 2000, the complete
Database of Essential Oils. Leffingwell and
Associates publisher, Georgia, USA.
-Joulain, D.; Knig, WA., Hochmuth, DH.
(2001).Terpenoids and Related Constituents of
Essential Oils. Mass Finder 2.1, Hamburg,
Germany.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 113-117
[Laouer H. et al.,]
-Joulain, D. and Knig, W.A. (1998). The Atlas of
Specrtal Data Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons. E.
B.-Verlag, Hamburg, Germany.
-Khalilzadeh, M.; Tajbakhsh, M.; Gholami, F.A. and
Hoseinzadeh, M. (2007). Composition of
essential oils of Hipomarathrum microcarpum
(M. Bieb.) B. Fedtsch and Physospermum
cornubiense (L.) DC. From Iran. J. Essent. Oil
Res, 19: 567-586.
-zek, G.; zek, T. and Hsn, C.B.K. (2007).
Composition of the essential oil of
Hippomarathrum cristatum (DC.) Boiss. .
Essent. Oil Res, 19: 540-542.
-zer, H.; Skmen, M.; Gllce, M.; Adigl, A.;
Sahin, F.; Skmen, A.; Killic, H. and Baris, .
(2007).Chemical composition and antimicrobial
and antioxidant activities of essential oil and
methanol extract oh Hippomarathrum
microcarpum (Bieb.) from Tukey. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55:937-942.
-Quezel, P. et Santa S. (1963). Nouvelle flore de
lAlgrie et des rgions dsertiques mridionales.
Tome II, Edition CNRS., Paris.
-Sefidkon, F. and Shaabani, A. (2003). Analysis of
the oil of Hippomarathrum microcarpum (M. B.)
B. Fedtsch from Iran. J. Essent. Oil Res. 15: 261-
262.
-Trabut, L. (2006). Rpertoire des Noms indignes
des plantes spontanes, cultives et utilises dans
le Nord de lAfrique. Ibis Press.
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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 113-117
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Laouer H. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 1 : Composition chimique de lhuile essentielle dHippomarathrum libanot

Nom T T lit % FID

alpha thujene 926 924,3 1,0
-pinene 935 932 18,5
Camphene 949 645,9 0,4
Sabinene 969 967,7 2.0
Tricyclene 976 971,9 2,1
Myrcene 983 983,3 3,1
R(-) -phellandrene 1001 997,9 5,0
-3-carene 1009 1006,2 26.1
p-cymene 1015 1013,7 0,4
Limonene 1025 1024 5,1
trans beta ocimene 1038 0,4
-terpinene 1052 1050,6 9.4
Terpinolene 1083 1079,6 2,0
2,5 cyclohexadiene, 1,4-diethyl-1, 4 dimethyl 1107 0,3
Terpinen-4-ol 1167 1164,6 2,2
bicyclo (3,1-1), hepta-2-en-4-ol, 2,6, 6 trimethyl 1249 2,1
acetate isobornyle 1274 1272 4,0
benzeldehyde, 2, 4, 6 trimethyl 1294 0,4
benzeldehyde, 2, 4, 5 trimethyl 1337 0,4
-copaene 1384 1373,7 2,1
-cubebene 1394 1387 1,4
trans caryophyllene 1429 7.0
germacrene D 1487 1476,7 0,3
Ledene 1501 1493 0,4
-cadinene 1522 1516,1 0,4
NI 2,2
NI 1,3
NI : non dentifi, T, kovats indices, T lit, kovats indices liturature ; TR, temps de rtention,

Table 2. Activit antimicrobienne de lhuile essentielle dHippomarathrum libanotis

Zone dinhibition (mm)

Microorganismes tests 1/2a 1/5 1/10 Amp Itra, Tetra
Escherichia coli ATCC 9739 8 6 6 27 - -
Enterococcus faecalis CIP 102712 16 14 9 45 - -
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 10 8 8 46 - -
Nocardia asteroides ATCC 19247 16 13 11 - - 16
Klebsiella pneumoniae 7 6 6 12 - -
Staphylococcus hemolyticus 6 6 6 27 - -
Salmonella enteritidis 7 6 6 17 - -
Aspergillus niger 12 9 9 25 25 -
Candida albicans 22 16 7 - 26 -
a
: Dpts de 5 L. Dilution de lhuile essentielle dans le DMSO exprime en pourcentage (v /v). Amp.
ampicilline (15 g) et itra. Itraconazole (25 g), Tetra. Tetracycline (g) sont utiliss comme tmoins positifs.
DMSO= tmoin ngatif, -: non dtermin

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Laouer H. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 3. Concentration minimale inhibitrice de lhuile du Hippomarathrum libanotis

Lhuile de lespce vgtale CMI50 (mg/ml) CMI90 (mg/ml)

Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rvlation par ND >5
rsazurine)
Isoniazide ND 0,40

Plasmodium falciparum (g/ml) 0.06 0.13

CQ (g/ml) 0,03 0,06
klebsiella pneumoniae (turbidit) ND >5
Nocardia asteroides (turbidit) >5 ND
Salmonella enteritidis (turbidit) >5 ND
Enterococcus faecalis 2.40 2.30
Amp (g/ml) 0.40 0.60
Staphylococcus aureus 0.84 4,56
Amp (g/ml) 0,03 0,06

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Laouar H. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Composition Chimique et Activit Biologique de lHuile Essentielle de

Filipendula hexapetala Gibb.

Hocine Laouer and Mebarka Lamamra

Laboratoire de valorisation des ressources biologiques, Dpartement de Biologie, Universit de Stif, Mabouda,
19000, Stif, Algrie.
Soizic Prado
Musum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Molcule de Communication et Adaptation des Micro-organismes. FRE
3206 CNRS/MNHN 63 rue Buffon 75005 Paris, France
Nicolas Baldovini
Universit de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Laboratoire de Chimie des Molcules Bioactives et des Armes, CNRS
UMR 6001, Parc Valrose, F-06108 Nice cedex 2, France
Nacira Boulaacheb
Laboratoire de valorisation des ressources biologiques, Dpartement de Biologie, Universit de Stif, Mabouda,
19000, Stif, Algrie.
Salah Akkal
Dpartement de chimie, Universit S. Mentouri, Constantine, Algrie.

Rsum :
Lhuile essentielle de Filipendula hexapetala Gibb. (Rosaceae), obtenue par hydrodistillation
est analyse par chromatographie phase gazeuse couple au spectrophotomtre de masse et
value in vitro pour son activit antimicrobienne. Les souches microbiennes les plus sensibles
sont Candida albicans, Escherichia coli ATCC 9739, Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 6538 et
Enterococcus faecalis CIP 102712.

1-INTRODUCTION Lobjet de la prsente tude est dtudier la

La Filipendule est une plante vivace, feuilles
pennatisques en segments trs nombreux,
inflorescence trs ramifie, trs florifre, fleurs
blanches petites, assez rare et l dans le tell. Elle
est reprsente par une seule espce en Algrie
(Filipendula hexapetala Gibb. synonyme: Spiraea
filipendula L. (Quezel et santa, 1962).
La reine des prs (F. ulmaria) est rpute pour
ces proprits antirhumatismales, antispasmodiques,
diurtiques, analgsiques et anti-inflammatoires et
fbrifuges (Donadieu, 2006). Enfin, Maksimovic et
al. (2007) indiquent que les fleurs du F. hexapetala
sont aphrodisiaques, diurtiques, astringentes,
antirhumatismales et anti-inflammatoire au mme
titre que les fleurs de F. ulmaria.
Une tude a t conduite sur la composition de
lhuile essentielle de F. hexapetala (Pavlovic et al.,
2007) et une autre sur lactivit antioxydante du
spiraeoside (Maksimovic et al., 2007). Enfin, la
synergie et lantagonisme de laldehyde de salicylale
dans lhuile du F. vulgaris a t ralise par
Radulovic et al. (2007). A ct de 1.25 % dhuile
essentielle Gorkova et al. (1977) signalent la
prsence de 14.1-16.4% de tains, des alcalodes et de
lacide ascorbique dans F. palmata.
composition chimique et lactivit biologique (anti-
microbienne, antipaludique et lactivit mutagne)
des huiles essentielles du F. hexapetala algrien.
2-MATERIEL ET METHODES
1. Matriel Vgtal
La partie arienne de F. hexapetala est recueillie
dans une prairie Djebel Megress dans lEst
algrien, en Mai 2008, une altitude de 1547 m (36
20 06.95 N ; 5 20 26.04 E). La plante est
dbarrasse des impurets puis sche lombre
une temprature ambiante. Un spcimen est dpos
au laboratoire de valorisation des ressources
biologique, dpartement de biologie, universit de
Stif, Algrie.
Souches microbiennes
Lactivit antimicrobienne de lhuile essentielle a
t value sur 3 souches bactriennes qui
proviennent de lAmerican Type Culture Collection :
Escherichia coli ATCC 9739, Nocardia asteroides
ATCC 19247, ainsi que sur dautres souches
microbiennes : Enterococcus faecalis CIP 102712,
Klebsiella pneumoniae (IBMC Strasbourg),

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
Staphylococcus hemolyticus (IBMC Strasbourg),
Escherichia coli PQ37, Salmonella enteritidis (IBMC
Strasbourg), Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Ces souches
proviennent en grande partie du souchier de linstitut
Pasteur (France) ou encore du souchier du laboratoire
de bactriologie, du Musum dHistoire Naturelle de
Paris. La sensibilit dun parasite (Plasmodium
falciparum FcB1) responsable du paludisme a t
teste. Enfin, deux champignons Aspergillus niger IP
1431.83 et Candida albicans (IBMC Strasbourg), ont
fait galement lobjet de la prsente tude.
2. Milieux de Culture. La culture des bactries a
ncessit lutilisation du milieu de culture Mueller
Hinton agar (MH) except pour N. asteroides qui a
ncessit le HBI (Heart Brain Infusion). Pour la
culture dA. niger, le milieu utilis est de lextrait de
malt agaris. Le milieu Sabouraud a t utilis pour
la culture de C. albicans. Plusieurs antibiotiques et
antifongiques on t utiliss comme tmoins positifs
(ampicilline, ttracycline, itraconazole et fongizone)
Extraction des Huiles Essentielles
Le matriel vgtal est coup en parties trs fines
(2-5mm) et soumis lhydrodistillation en se servant
du dispositif dextraction type Clevenger pendant 3
heures. Lhuile est sche sur sulfate de sodium et
conserve dans un flacon opaque des tempratures
bases (4-5C).
Analyse des Huiles Essentielles
La sparation et lidentification des constituants
des huiles essentielles ont t ralises par
chromatographie en phase gazeuse couple la
spectromtrie de masse (CPG/MS) colonne apolaire
au dpartement des sciences chimiques, luniversit
Sophia Antibolis (Nice). En plus de multiples
rfrences bibliographiques (Adams, 2001 ; Joulain
and Knig, 1998; Joulain et al., 2001), plusieurs
bases de donns sont utilises pour lidentification
des constituants Nist 98, Wiley 275, BACIS, 1999,
etc.
Etude de lActivit Antibactrienne in
vitro des Huiles Essentielles
Ltude qualitative de lactivit antibactrienne
des huiles essentielles est ralise par la technique
du contact direct (mthode de diffusion dagar). Une
tude quantitative par dtermination de la
Concentration Minimale Inhibitrice (CMI) a ensuite
t ralise pour les produits les plus actifs.
Technique par Contact Direct
1. Mthode de diffusion. Ltude est ralise par
la mthode de diffusion (antibiogramme). 5 L de
chaque dilution de lhuile essentielle sont dposs
la surface de la glose (12 cm. 40 ml de glose). Les
boites de Ptri sont ensuite incubes ltuve 37C
pendant 18 24h. Aprs ce dlai, les diamtres des
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :107-111
[Laouar H. et al.,]
zones dinhibition sont mesurs. En ce qui concerne
les champignons, des suspensions de cellules
fongiques (C. albicans) et de spores (A. niger) sont
prpares partir de pr-cultures dans le Sabouraud
et dans de lextrait de malt, respectivement.
2. Mthode de dilution. Cette mthode permet la
dtermination de la CMI partir dune gamme de
concentration de lhuile essentielle dans le milieu de
culture. Une pr-culture est ralise par
ensemencement dune ose dans 10 mL de LB suivi
dune incubation 37 C 24 H. La pr-culture est
ensuite dilue dans du LB au 1/1000me. 100 L sont
alors rpartis dans une plaque 96 puits et 2 l de
produit sont additionn. Une dilution au demi est
ralise successivement. La plaque est mise incuber
24 H 37 C. La CMI est mesure par lecture de la
DO 595 nm ou par mesure de la turbidit. La
dtermination des CMI de M. bovis BCG a t
ralise par addition de rsazurine (0.01 /).
3-RESULTATS ET DISCUSSION
Les constituants rsultants de lanalyse de lhuile
essentielle sont reprsents selon lordre de leur
lution dans le tableau 1. 33 constituants reprsentent
87,7% de lhuile essentielle sont identifis. Les
constituants majoritaires sont : thymol (17.5%),
benzyle salicylate (13.9), aldehyde salysalique (10.3),
- terpinene (10.0%), methyle salycylate (8.9%).
Lhuile de F. hexapetala se distingue des huiles de
dautres espces du mme genre par son richesse en
thymol (17.5%) et en - terpinene (10.0%). Par
contre, elles ont en commun, benzyle salicylate et
laldhyde salicyle. Pavlovic et al. (2007) ont signal
que lhuile essentielle est riche en drivs dacide
salysalique : aldhyde salicyle (13,7%), en salicylate
benzyle (6.8%) et en salicylate de mthyle (6.7%),
ct de n-nonanal (11.9%), 2-heptadecanone (6.2%)
et linalool (5.2%). Tandis que, lhuile de la partie
arienne du F. ulmaria contient 36% de daldhyde
de salicylale et 19% de salicylate de mthyle (Grazia
Valle et al., 1988). Toute fois, Lindeman et al.,
(1982) ont signal que lhuile essentielle obtenue par
hydrodistillation partir des fleurs de F. ulmaria est
essentiellement riche en aldhyde de salicylale
(74.8%). Enfin, Yin et al. (2005) indiquent que les
huiles des boutons floraux, des feuilles et des tiges de
F. palmata sont riches en salicylate de mthyle. Ce
dernier dpasse 70.1% dans lhuile des boutons
floraux. Les auteurs ont signal que ce dernier
constituant est le mieux des constituants naturels
activit rpulsive des moustiques et soulagement des
douleurs. Dans une autre tude sur lhuile de F.
palmata, Yunxiu et al. (1992) voquent la prsence
de phenylmethanol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, n-
nonaldehyde, hexaldehyde-2-ene et trans-3-hexene-
1-ol comme majors constituants.
Lhuile essentielle de F. hexapetata a t teste
sur un ensemble de microorganismes dont des
bactries Gram + (S. hemolyticus, S. aureus, N.
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asteroides), Gram (E. coli, E. faecalis, K.
pneumoniae, S. enteritidis), des champignons (A.
niger et C. albicans) et le parasite P. falciparum. Une
premire slection par la technique de
lantibiogramme a permis de rvler une bonne
activit sur la croissance de E. coli (diamtre
dinhibition 25 mm dilution ), de E. faecalis
(diamtre dinhibition 20 mm dilution ) et de C.
albicans (diamtre dinhibition 30 mm dilution )
avec des valeurs proches de celles des tmoins aux
concentrations utilises (ampicilline et itraconazole
respectivement). Ces premiers rsultats encoura-
geants ont motivs la dtermination des
Concentrations Moyennes Inhibitrices CMI sur les
diffrentes espces cultivables en plaques 96 puits.
Ainsi, lhuile essentielle sest rvle active sur
lensemble des microorganismes tests avec des
CMI50 de lordre 0.08 3.125 mg/ml, lexception
de S. enteritidis et de K. pneumoniae. Lactivit
antiparasitaire sur la souche de P. falciparum
rsistante la chloroquine FcB1, savre particuli-
rement intressante avec une IC50 : 2.36 g/ml.
Nanmoins ces rsultats encourageants ncessitent
lvaluation de la cytotoxicit sur cellules (en cours)
afin de confirmer lintrt dune utilisation
potentielle de cette huile essentielle.
Rfrences Bibliographiques:
-Adams R. P. Identification of essential oil
components by gas chromatography/quadrupole
mass spectroscopy. Carol Stream, Illinois, USA:
Allured Publishing Corporation, 456 p, (2001).
-Boelens Aroma Chemical information Service
(BACIS). ESO 2000, the complete Database of
Essential Oils. Leffingwell and Associates
publisher, Georgia, USA, (1999).
-Donadieu Y. (2006)-Les plantes mellifres en
phytothrapie, la reine des prs. Abeilles et
fleurs, n678 : 31-32.
-Gorkova M. A., Kuchinskaya N. S. and Tolokneva
A. Z.- Pharmacognostic and pharmacological
study of Filipendula palmata. Voprosy Farmatsii
na Dalnem Vostoke, 2: 182-183 (1977).
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :107-111
[Laouar H. et al.,]
-Grazia Valle M., Nano G. M. AND Tira S.- The
essential oil of Filipendula ulmaria. Planta
Medica, 54 (2): 181-182 (1988).
-Joulain D., Knig WA.-The Atlas of Specrtal Data
Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons. E. B.-Verlag,
Hamburg, Germany, (1998).
-Joulain D., Knig WA., Hochmuth DH.-Terpenoids
and Related Constituents of Essential Oils. Mass
Finder 2.1, Hamburg, Germany (2001).
-Lindeman A., Jounela-Eriksson P. and Lounasmaa
M.- The aroma composition of the flower of
meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.
Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und- Technologie, 15
(5): 286-289 (1982).
-Maksimovic Z., Petrovic S., Pavlovic M., Kovacevic
N. and Kukic J.- Antioxydant activity of
Filipendula hexapetala flowers. Fitoterapia, 78:
265-267 (2007).
-Pavlovic M., Petrovic S., Ristic M., Maksimovic Z.
and Kovacevic N.- Essential oil of Filipendula
hexapetala. Chemistry of Natural Compounds,
43 (2): 228-229 (2007).
-Quezel P. et Santa S.- Nouvelle flore de lAlgrie et
des rgions dsertiques mridionales. Tome 1,
Edition CNRS, Paris (1962).
-Radulovic N., M. Misic M., Aleksic J., Dokovic D.,
Palic R. and Stojanovic G.- Antimicrobial
synergim and antagonism of salicylaldehyde in
Filipendula vulgaris essential oil. Fitoterapia, 78:
565-570 (2007).
-Yin W, Xiang-Ying M., Xiao-hua L., Yong-li B.,
Shu-ping W. and Yu-xin L.- Analysis of
essential oils from flower-buds, leaves and stems
of Filipendula palmate (Pall.) Maxim. Chemical
Research in Chinese Universities, 21 (6):658-662
(2005).
-Yunxiu S, Kunyuan M., Wenpu J. and Huixiang Z.-
Structure identification and quantitative analysis
of volatile oil of Filipendula palmata Maxim.
Jilin Daxue Ziran Kexue Xuebao (1): 119-121
(1992).
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Tableau 1. Composition chimique de lhuile essentielle de F. hexapetala

PK# RT Composs Indice Lit. Area%

_______________________________________________________________________
1 3.70 Benzene - 642,5 0.3
2 3.81 Cyclohexane - 677 0.1
3 5.31 Toluene 750 749,5 0.4
4 7.12 2-hexenal 823 830 0.5
5 7.49 cis-3-hexenol 833 834 0.1
6 8.98 Heptanal 876 877 0.2
7 10.96 alpha thujene 923 924,3 0.1
8 11.19 Benzaldehyde 927 929,3 0.5
9 11.31 alpha pinene 930 932 0.2
10 13.79 aldehyde C8 979 - 0.2
11 13.92 Myrcene 982 983,3 0.7
12 14.10 benzyl chloride 985 - 0.3
13 15.49 aldehyde salysalique 1011 1008 10.3
14 15.56 para cymene 1012 1013,7 7.4
15 16.09 Limonene 1021 1024 0.3
16 17.77 gamma terpinene 1048 1050,6 10.0
17 19.81 Nonanal 1082 1080 3.7
18 19.93 Linalool 1084 1086,3 3.2
19 24.79 terpinene 4 ol 1159 1164,7 0.2
20 25.28 methyle salycylate 1167 1166,6 8.9
21 25.49 alpha terpineol 1170 1174,7 1.1
22 26.41 aldehydeC10 1184 - 0.3
23 28.19 Pulegone 1211 1216,8 0.7
24 31.98 Thymol 1269 1277 17.5
25 32.48 Carvacrol 1276 1286,9 0.6
26 33.11 aldehyde C11 1286 - 0.3
27 36.08 NI 1332 - 0.4
28 41.13 beta caryophellene 1412 1419,6 0.5
29 45.03 NI 1476 - 0.5
30 46.23 alpha farnesene 1496 1497 0.2
31 46.41 alpha bisabolene 1499 1493,5 0.3
32 57.89 octadecane (C18) 1840 1800 0.6
33 58.59 NI 1814 - 0.3
34 64.25 benzyle salicylate 1923 1827,3 13.9
35 64.56 NI 1929 - 0.3
36 67.24 NI 1982 - 1.6
37 68.17 eicosane (C20) 2001 2000 0.3
38 72.10 NI - - 5.0
39 77.54 Phytol - 2080 3.8
40 86.16 NI - 3000 4.2

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Tableau 2. Activit antimicrobienne de lhuile essentielle du Filipendula hexapetala

Microorganismes tests Zone dinhibition (mm)

1/2a 1/5 1/10 Amp Itra, Tetra
Escherichia coli ATCC 9739 25 15 10 28 ND ND
Enterococcus faecalis CIP 102712 20 17 10 44 ND ND
Nocardia asteroides ATCC 19247 9 7 7 ND ND 16
Klebsiella pneumoniae 10 9 ND 8 ND ND
Staphylococcus hemolyticus 10 9 ND - 38 ND ND
Salmonella enteritidis 10 10 ND 23 ND ND
Aspergillus niger 12 10 6 ND 25 ND
Candida albicans 30 22 20 ND 26 ND
a
: Dpts de 5 L. Dilution de lhuile essentielle dans le DMSO exprime en pourcentage (v /v). Amp.
ampicilline (15 g) et itra. Itraconazole (25 g), Tetra. Tetracycline (g) sont utiliss comme tmoins
positifs. DMSO= tmoin ngatif, ND : non dtermin

Tableau 3. Concentration moyenne inhibitrice de lhuile

du Filipendula hexapetala

Lhuile de lespce vgtale CMI50 (mg/ml) CMI90 (mg/ml)

Klebsiella pneumoniae (turbidit) 5.00 ND
Nocardia asteroides (turbidit) 0.08 ND
Salmonella enteritidis (turbidit) >5 ND
Enterococcus faecalis 0.60 ND
Amp (g/ml) 0.40 0.6
Staphylococcus aureus 1,40 2,40
Amp. (g/ml) 0.03 0.06
Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rvlation ND 3,12
par rsazurine)
Isoniazide ND 0,40
Plasmodium falciparum (g/ml) 2,35 5,98
CQ (g/ml) 0.02 0.04
ND : non dtermin

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Belboukhari N. et al.,]
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Antimicrobial Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from

the Sahara Endemic Medecinal Plant Warionia saharae Benth & Coss.
(Asteraceae)
N. BELBOUKHARI and A. CHERITI
Phytochemistry & Organic Synthesis Laboratory - University of Bechar, 08000, Bechar Algeria
E-mail: nasro14@maktoob.com
I. BOMBARDA and E. GAYDOU
Laboratoire de Phytochimie, Universit Paul Czanne Aix - Marseille III, France

Abstract:
The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Warionia saharae was evaluated against
Bacteria (E. Coli , S. Aureus , P. aeruginosa , K. pneumaniae , E. faecalis) and fungi (C. albican,
S. cereviceae). A broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity was exhibited. The chemical
composition of a hydrodistilled oil of Warionia saharae, was determined by GC. More than 35
components amounting to 95.47% of the total oil were identified and quantified as oil constituents
on the basis of retention indices. The main compounds identified were: Carophylan (33.65%),
Guaiene (06.27%), Cadinene (27.93%), Caryolan 1 ol (05.31%) and Eudesmol ( 02.83%)
Keywords: Carophylan, Algeria,

1-INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial Assays

Warionia saharae Benth & Coss. (local name
Efessas or Kabar Lemaiz) a genus of the family
Asteraceae, is an endemic herbaceous medicinal
plant represented by only one species which is
widely distributed in the south west of Algeria and
south east of Morocco. The aerial part of this plant
was used in Sahara folk medicine for treating
gastrointestinal tracts, icter and as anti-inflammatory
(Belakhdar, 1997; Hilmi, 2002; Cheriti, 2004, 2005).
As a part of our investigation into medicinal
plants growing in Algerian Sahara we report here our
results on the antimicrobial and phytochemical
composition of the essential oil of this endemic
Saharan specie ( Cheriti, 2006; 2007; Belboukhari,
2005, 2006)
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
The antimicrobial activity of the oils was
investigated by disk diffusion method, as indicated in
our previous works (Cheriti, 2007; Belboukhari,
2006). The oil-ethanol solution in three dilutions
(1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 v/v, in the absolute ethanol), was
tested against five bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumaniae, Pseudomo-
nas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis), and two
fungus (Saccharomyces cerevisiae et Candida
albicans). The standardized inocula were placed on
the surface of the media according to the Kirby-
Bauer technique (Bauer, 1966). Ethanol solutions of
the oils (10 l of each dilution) and absolute ethanol
(used as negative control) were placed on sterile filter
paper discs (6 mm in diameter). Chloramphenicol,
Ampicillin and Econazol were used as positive
controls for bacteria and fungi.

Plant Material Chemical Composition

The leaves of Warionia saharae were collected
from Bechar (south west Algeria) in April 2007, and
identified by ANN ( National Agency of Nature
protection Bechar, Algeria-), (Belboukhari,
2007).Voucher specimen is kept in the Herbarium of
POSL Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences ( University
of Bechar, Algeria) under N CA 02/07.
The plant materials were air dried and
hydrodistilled for 3h in an all-glass Clevenger
apparatus in accordance with the 3rd Edition of the
European Pharmacopoeia (Bruneton, 1999). The oil
was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored
at 4 C until analysis.
The analysis of the essential oil was carried out
by GC on SHIMADZU Gas Chromatograph using
CW 20M column, TLC analysis on silica gel plates
and FT-IR spectroscopy on AVATAR 320 FT-IR,
Thermo Nicolet apparatus.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the antimicrobial assay of the
essential oil from the leaves of Warionia saharae are
presented in Table 1. In the oil test, the control disc
with ethanol showed no activity at all. The 1/2 v/v
and 1/4 v/v dilutions showed an antimicrobial
activity against all the microorganisms tested. It can
be seen that microbiological activity of the essential

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oil from this endemic specie showed significantly
bioactivity. So, this result qualifies this plant for
further investigation of their bioactive compounds.
As indicated in Fig. 1, the TLC analysis of the
essential oil of Warioniae saharae shows the
presence of eight spotlights along browsed it of the
stationary phase, after the revelation by the iodine
and fluorescence under the UV lamp to 254 nm. The
results of analysis by the intensity and the diameter
of the spotlights indicate that constitute them of the
oil essential has Rf = 0.39 and Rf=0.52 represent the
majority products.
The FT-IR specter of the essential oil of Warionia
saharae presents 10 characteristic vibration bands of
elongation and distortion, regrouped in the Table 2,
the absorption band situated toward 3437 cm-1
corresponds to the vibration of elongation of the
hydroxyl group ( unsaturated or aromatic).
Done the fine and intense strips situate in the
zone 2850-2970 cm-1 corresponds in the vibrations of
elongation and distortion of CH2 and CH3, the
vibration appears toward 1744 cm-1 can be also
corresponds to the carbonyle of the esters (saturated
C=O), and do the vibrations inferior have 1700 cm-1
precisely has 1667 cm-1 are assigned has some , -
unsaturated or aromatic carbonyls.
The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled
essential oil of Warionia saharae, was determined by
GC. More than 35 components amounting to 95.47%
of the total oil were identified and quantified as oil
constituents on the basis of retention indices, witch
were determined in relation to a homologous series
of n-alkanes (C6C30) ( Cheriti, 2006; 2007). The
GC chromatogram (Fig. 2) of essential oil presents
variable proportion peaks to the course the sixty
minutes of analysis therefore the preliminary choice
of the C30 n-alkane but one met a problem of
solubility of the strong alcanes (C32, C34,)
(Adams, 1995)
The n-alkanes (C6C30), doesn't permit to frame
the peaks that appears in retention times superior to
27 min (Fig. 1) for it, it is necessary to apply other
coupling methods or isolation and identification of
the constituent correspondent to the these peaks using
spectroscopic methods.
We observed that the main compounds identified
were: Carophylan (33.65%), Guaiene (06.27%),
Cadinene (27.93%), Caryolan 1 ol (05.31%) and
Eudesmol (02.83%). By comparison of the results
of identification by gas chromatography and TLC
analysis, the eight spotlights can be corresponding to
the eight products majority determined by GC
methods (Table 3).
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :103-106
[Belboukhari N. et al.,]
4-CONCLUSION
The results indicate that essential oil of the
endemic medicinal plant Warionia saharae is active
against some human pathogens. This probably
explains the use of this plant in traditional medicine
against a number of infections. The chemical
composition of the essential oil of this specie,
qualifies this plant for further investigation of their
bioactive compounds.
Literature cited
-Adams RP. 1995, Identification of Essential Oils by
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.
Allured: Carol Stream, IL,.
-Bauer AW, Kirby WM, Sherries JC, Truck M 1966,
Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized
single disc method. Am J Clin Pathol. 45: 493.
-Belboukhari N, Cheriti A 2005, Antimcrobial
activity of aerial part crude extracts from
limoniastrum feei. Asian J. Plants Sc. 4(5): 465.
-Belboukhari N, Cheriti A 2006, Antibacterial and
antifungal activities of crude extracts from
Launeae arborescens. Pak. J. Bio. Sc. 9(1): 1.
-Belboukhari N., Cheriti A., Bombarda E. & E.
Gaydou E.; Phytochem & BioSub (2007), Algeria
-Bellakhdar J 1997, La pharmacope marocaine
traditionnelle . Ibis press, Paris.
-Bruneton J. 1999 Pharmacognosy, phyto-
chemistry, Medecinal Plants, 2nd edition, Ed.
Tec & Doc: Paris, 502.
-Cheriti A, Belboukhari N, Hacini S 2004,
Ethnopharmacological survey and phytochemical
screening of some medicinal plants of Algerian
Sahara. Ir. J. Pharm. Res. 3(2): 51.
-Chriti A, Belboukhari N, Hacini S. 2005, Savoir
traditionnel et valorisation des Plantes Mdicina-
les du sud ouest algrien. Ann. Univ. Bechar 1 :
4.
-Cheriti A, Saad A, Belboukhari N, Ghezali S 2006,
Chemical composition of the essential oil of
Launaea arboresens from Algerian Sahara.
Chem. Nat. Comp. 42(3): 360.
-Cheriti A, Saad A, Belboukhari N, Ghezali S 2007,
The essential oil composition of Bubonium
graveolens( forsk) from Algerian Sahara.
Flav.Frag.J.. 22: 286.
-Hilmi F., Sticher O., Heilmann J;, 2003, New
cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactone from Warionia
saharae, Planta Med., 69(5), 462.
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SIPAM 2009

Table1: Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the essential oil of Warionia saharae

Zoneofinhibitioninmm
Microorganisms
Dilution
1/2 v/v 1/4 v/v 1/8 v/v Control
Escherichia coli 18 13 06 19 (a)
Staphylococcus aureus 15 09 00 17 (a)
Enterococus feacalis 21 17 09 NT
Klebsiella pneumania 23 18 10 25 (a)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 12 08 00 13 (b)

Candida albicans 22 13 06 22 (c)

Saccharomyces cereviceae 18 12 07 NT
(a) Chloramphenicol (10 g), (b) Ampicillin (10 g) and (c) Econazol (60 g). NT : Not Tested.

Table2: FT-IR analysis of essential oil of Warioniae saharae

Position, cm-1 Groups

437 (OH)
2924 (CH3, CH2)
1744 (C=O)
1667 (C=O) , insaturated
1602 (C=O) aromatic
1460 (CH3, CH3)
1383 CH vinylic
1258 (CO)
1033 s (COC)
793 (cycle) and/or CH arom

Table3: GC (CW 20M) and TLC analysis of essential oil of Warionia saharae

Compounds KI TR(min) Percentage% hRF

Limonene 1200 4.152 1.93 22
-Cadinene 152 7.584 27.93 39
Cariophyllane a 1521 12.373 33.65 52
Bornyl acetate 1565 13.772 2.63 64
Linalyl acetate 1568 8.652 2.19 -
-Oplopenone terpinen-4-ol 1590 9.122 1.14 -
guaiene 1667 11.232 6.27 -
Benzyl benzoate 1774 14.269 1.72 -
Geraniol 1789 14.457 1.29 -
Caryolan-1-ol 2020 21.804 5.31 77
-Eudesmol 2184 26.709 2.83 95

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spots Rf
0.22
01
0.39
02
0.52
03
0.64
04
0.70
05
0.77
06
0.83
07
0.95
08

Fig1: Results of TLC analysis of essential oil of Warioniae saharae

Fig.2: GC chromatogram of essential oil of Warionia saharae only and with n-alkanes

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SIPAM 2009
Quality Control and Standardisation of Medicinal
and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)
Dr. Mohammad Kamil & Dr. Mazen Ali Naji
Zayed Complex for Herbal Research & Traditional Medicine- WHO Collaborative Centre
P.O Box: 29300, PH & P - Health Authority, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Herbal renaissance is happening globally and
herbal products today symbolize safety in contract to
synthetics. In spite of recent developments of
antibiotics and newer synthetic drugs, a vast majority
of people depend on traditional medicines for their
primary health care needs and it can safely presumed
that a major part of traditional therapy involves the
use of plant extracts or their active principles. In the
recent years with ever growing commercialization in
the field of herbal medicines, there has been an
instant demand for quality control of the drugs used
in this system. The studies on the identity, purity and
quality of the genuine drug will enhance information
in checking the adulteration. A set of standards
would not doubt be deterrent on substitution and
adulteration and also an aid for Drug law
Enforcement.
The present talk incorporates study from birth of the
medicinal & aromatic plants to its clinical application
which is a dire need for all concerned to have
knowledge of GAP, GFCP, GLP, CGMP and the
possible adulterations. All modern instrumentation
used for quality control of MAPs will be discussed.
Quality control is an important tool in the production
of higher-quality herbal products starting from
cultivation of medicinal & aromatic plants (MAPs)
till it is being dispensed to a patient in the dosage
form. In the alternative method of production through
wild-crafted plants, there is a greater chance that the
wrong plant has been picked, which might lead to
serious consequences.
Aromatic plants, as we know, possess odors volatile
substance, which occur as essential oil, green
exudates, balsam & oleoresin in one or more part,
namely, root, wood, stem foliage, flower and fruit.
The term essential oil represents the essence or active
constituents of plants. There is significant expansion
in range of essential oil usage and their products
during last two decades. Aromatherapy involves use
of essential oils and aromatics derived from plants to
cure diseases. Synergistic activity of essential oils
needs further probe. These aromatic herbs, oils &
aroma chemicals, besides being utilized extensively
in perfumery, flavorings & cosmetic industries or as
starting materials of other compounds, have
remarkable application as therapeutic agents in
pharmaceutical and drug industries. Medicinal
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 99-101
[M. Kamil. et al.,]
properties of aromatic herbs and species are used in
traditional medicine from time immemorial.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) a code of
conduct that indicates the methods by which crops
should be cultivated to ensure that the quality of the
herbal medicinal product (HMP) is not compromised.
Starting with selection of (MAPs), its documentation,
verification of the propagation materials, different
stages involved in cultivation e.g. site selection,
ecological environment, soil, irrigation & drainage,
plant maintenance & protection harvest and
regarding its personnel. The use of pesticides &
herbicides has to be documented, the fertilizer use
should be minimized, and that human sewage sludge
must not be used on fields. All starting materials and
processing steps must be documented to enable and
the production method employed in producing the
HMP. These requirements are absolutely essential for
HMP trade and are a prerequisite to manufacturing a
pharmaceutical grade product.
Good Field Collection Practices (GFCP):
Prior to field collection permission there should be a
technical planning regarding the geographical
distribution & population density of the required
(MAPs). Collection permits should be obtained from
relevant authorities. Collection tem should be
familiar with good collecting techniques, transport,
and handling of plant materials. Growers and
collectors of medicinal & aromatic plants must insure
that they avoid damage to existing wild life habits.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) of wild fauna & flora must be taken
care off. Post harvest processing & its protocols
should be strictly followed. Storage & preservation
method are most important protocols for safety &
ultimately efficacy of the herbal products.
Quality Assurance:
Producers and buyers must have written agreement
with regard to quality such as active principle
content, macroscopically & of factory properties,
limit values for microbial contamination, chemical
residues and heavy metals etc. based on regional /
national specifications. Personnel and adequate
training regarding their hygiene responsibilities
should be in conformation with regional / national
guidelines. Building and facilities must provide
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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
protection for the harvested (MAPs) against insects,
rodents, pests, birds and domestic animals. Suitable
pest control measures must be operated & maintained
by professionally qualified staff. Regional / national
regulations must be followed at each step.
Equipments should be clean, regularly services to
ensure good working order. Cross contamination
should be avoided at each stage with non-desirable
substances & chemicals. Documentation of all
processes & procedures that could affect the quality
of the product should be maintained including the
location of cultivation, field records, type, quantity
and date of harvest etc. batch numbers are required
for all batches from each designated area. Collected
& cultivated (MAPs) should carry different batch
numbers.
Standardization of the MAP materials includes the
following steps:
Authentication (Stage of collection, parts of the plant
collected, regional status, botanical identity like
phytomorphology, microscopically and histological
analysis, taxonomical identity, etc.).Foreign matter
(herbs collected should be free from soil, insect parts
or animal excreta, etc. Organoleptic evaluation
(sensory characters taste, appearance, odor, feel of
the drug, etc.) . Tissues of diagnostic importance
present in the drug powder. Ash values and extractive
values. Volatile matter. Moisture content determina-
tion. Chromatographic and spectroscopic evaluation.
TLC, HPTLC, HPLC methods will provide qualita-
tive and semi quantitative information about the main
active constituents present in the crude drug as
chemical markers in the TLC fingerprint evaluation
of herbals . The quality of the drug can also be
assessed on the basis of the chromatographic
fingerprint. Determination of heavy metals e.g.
cadmium, lead, arsenic, etc. Pesticide residue WHO
and FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) set
limits of pesticides, which are usually present in the
herbs. These pesticides are mixed with the herbs
during the time of cultivation. Mainly pesticides like
DDT, BHC, toxaphene, aldrin cause serious side-
effects in human beings if the crude drugs are mixed
with these agents. Microbial contamination usually
medicinal plants containing bacteria and molds are
coming from soil and atmosphere. Analysis of the
limits of E. coli and molds clearly throws light
towards the harvesting and production practices. The
substance known as aflatoxins will produce serious
side-effects if consumed along with the crude drugs.
Fingerprint analysis approach using chromatography
has become the most potent tool for quality control of
herbal medicines because of its simplicity and
reliability. It can serve as a tool for identification,
authentication and quality control of MAPs & HMPs.
Chromatographic & Spectroscopic Techniques:
There are always a number of chemical compounds
present in plants and many of them are in too low
amounts. One the other hand, there usually exist
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 99-101
[M. Kamil. et al.,]
variability within the different and even the same
herbal materials. Consequently, to obtain reliable
chromatographic fingerprints that represent
pharmacologically active & chemically characteristic
components is not an incidental task. The
performance of a chromatographic fingerprint
obtained is closely dependent on the
chromatographic separation degrees and concen-
tration distribution of all chemical components in the
investigated MAPs. Chromatography offers very
powerful separation ability.
Furthermore, the recent approaches of chromate-
graphy & spectroscopy could provide the additional
spectral information. The techniques frequently used
are Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), being still
used by various pharmacopoeias, to provide first
characteristic fingerprints of herbs. It is used as an
easier method of initial screening with a semi
quantitative evaluation together with other
chromatographic techniques. High Performance TLC
has the advantages of many-fold possibilities of
detection in analyzing constituents of MAPs. HPTLC
is rather simple and can be employed for multiple
sample analysis. CAMAG video store system
(CAMAG, Switzerland) make it possible to get
useful qualitative & quantitative information from
the developed TLC plates. Gas Chromatography
(GC) is usually used for finger print analysis when
components are volatile as in most of aromatic
plants. The advantage of GC clearly lies in its high
sensitivity of detection for almost all the volatile
chemical compounds. This is specially true using gas
chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The
use of libraries will help in assigning the structure of
comonents present in aromatic plants.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
and LC/MS can be used to analyze almost all the
compounds in herbal medicines provided reference
standard and libraries are available. For good
separation High Speed Counter Current
Chromatography (HSCCC) & other modern
techniques are used. The difficulties in development
of chromatographic fingerprints for MAPs should
also take care off.
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP):
To meet the worldwide demand for herbal drugs, it is
essential to maintain Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP). GMP are required for (MAPs) of particular
importance for those products which are cultivated or
collected from the wild and which may be used in
crude form or subjected to simple processing
techniques. e.g. comminuted or powdered herbal
materials the first critical step of their production
where the application of these guidelines start should
be clearly designated & established a case-by-case
basis.
GMP of herbal drugs is necessary for quality control
of the production and development of herbal drugs,
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which includes primarily specific courses of action or
the procedures to be followed in almost all steps of
herbal drug production.
Although much effort is needed to determine all
success and failure factors of every process in the
GMP, one should believe that in this way the highest
quality can be sustained and the production process
can be optimized.
Adulteration and Deterioration:
A number of herbal plants are substituted and herbal
products have been found to have heavy metal
contamination, including lead and mercury. The
possible sources of lead and mercury can be
accidental contamination from processing machinery
used or accumulation during cultivation from soil
contamination. Quite a large number of HMPs have
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 99-101
[M. Kamil. et al.,]
been found to be adulterated with pharmaceutical
drugs. According to a study by us, these products
may include drugs such as acetaminophen,
aminopyrine, caffeine, chlormezanone, chloroxazone,
diazepam, diclofenac, ethoxybenzamide, hydro-
chlorothiazide, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen,
mefenamic acid, papaverine, phenylbutazone,
piroxicam, prednisolone, salicylamide, statistins,
reductil, acomplia , sulphonyl ureas etc.
And hence Quality control of Herbal Medicinal
Products, besides the standardization of Medicinal &
Aromatic Plants, is a must to avoid any serious
consequences for the public health. Modern
perspectives should be taken into consideration for
rapid progress & maintaining Quality of Medicinal &
Aromatic Plants & their ultimate products.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Guebailia A. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Structure Elucidation of Stilbenes Oligomers from the Grapevine Vitis

vinifera L. Stems

Guebailia Amira H.
Laboratoire de Chimie Applique, Universit du 08 mai 1945, Guelma 24000, Algrie
Groupe d'tudes des Substances Vgtales Activit Biologique, EA 3675, Universit Victor Segalen Bordeaux
2, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques, 146 rues Lo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
amira_h_g@yahoo.co.uk

R. Tristan; S. Rouaiguia; J.C. Delaunay; Mrillon M. and J.

Groupe d'tudes des Substances Vgtales Activit Biologique, EA 3675, Universit Victor Segalen Bordeaux
2, UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques, 146 rues Lo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.

Selmane H. and Messiad H.

Laboratoire de Chimie Applique, Universit du 08 mai 1945, Guelma 24000, Algrie

Abstract:
In this survey,(-) trans -viniferin and cis -viniferin were reported for the first time to be
natural constituents of vitis vinifera L., along with known stilbenes; trans resveratrol , trans
piceatannol, (+) trans -viniferin (3), hopeaphenol and isohopeaphenol.

Keywords: medicinal plants, NMR, Resveratrol, Semi-preparative HPLC, Vitis vinifera, Viniferins

1-INTRODUCTION as heavy metal ions or UV light (Jeandet, 1997).

Stilbenes are polyphenols characterized by a C6-
C2-C6 structure. They have been found mainly in
five plant families in the past (Sotheeswaran, 1993).
Owing to the rapid increase in oligostilbenes in the
recent years, the distribution in plants have so far
been extended to nine plant families, namely
Dipterocarpaceae, Vitaceae, Cyperaceae, Legumi-
nosae, Gnetaceae, Iridaceae, Celastraceae,
Paeoniaceae and Moraceae. More than 200 naturally
occurring oligomerstilbenes have been isolated from
these plants. Most compounds are resveratrol dimers,
trimers, and tetramers. A few compounds belong to
pentamers, hexamers, heptamers and octamers.
Stilbenes and particularly resveratrol is characterized
by antioxidant properties and play an inhibitory role
at different stages of tumour development (Bhat,
2001, Frmont, 1999, Jang, 1997).
They are effective radical scavengers with respect
to oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation (LDL)
(Javasinghe U.L., 2004; Oh H, 2002). Some studies
have shown an increased dietary intake of natural
polyphenolsepidemiological evidence that the
coronary heart disease (CHD), atherosclerosis effect
and platelet aggregation (Hollman, 1996). Also, they
can inhibit and sometimes induce a large variety of
mammalian enzyme systems.
Moreover, stilbenes and particularly, resveratrol
and trans -viniferin are known for their beneficial
effect for the plant itself as they are produced in
response to fungal infection or abiotic stresses such
Stilbenes (phytoalexins) are present in other parts of
the vine also, but in poor quantities. Their extraction
requires a previous stage of stimulation (e.g. UV,
fungus). On the contrary, in stalks and stems, the
stilbenes are a constitutive element and their
extraction does not require a supplementary
procedure. For these reasons, the research of new
molecules biologically active in stems and stalks has
rapidly developed since 1996 (Boukharta, 1996).
In our research, we are interested in isolating
and identifying different types of polyphenols,
principally stilbenes from the grapevine Vitis vinifera
L. In this study, stems of Merlot variety were chosen
and a two steps method of fractionation was used;
Centrifugal Partition Chromatography followed by
semi-preparative HPLC. Identification of molecules
was achieved by using H1 NMR, 2D correlations and
mass spectrometry.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reagents
Methanol and ethanol were purchased from
Carlo Erba (Val de Reuil, France) and acetonitrile,
ethyl acetate and hexane from Scharlau Chemie
(Sentmenat, Spain). Water was distilled and filtered
through a Millipore membrane (0.22 m).
All organic solvents used were of HPLC grade.

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Plant Material
Stems of the grapevine were collected from
Villenave dOrnon (Bordeaux, western France), they
have been cut and left until dryness and then
powdered using a stems grinder.
Extraction and Fractionation
The dried and powdered stems of vitis vinifera,
Merlot variety, (1.4 Kg) were extracted with 80%
Acetone/Water. The extract was concentrated under
vacuum using a rotary evaporator and the aqueous
residue was defatted by petroleum ether, this
operation permits also the elimination of chlorophyll.
The aqueous residue was submitted to extraction
using EtOAc. The EtOAc soluble layer was
concentrated again, dissolved in distilled water and
lyophilized to give 20g of a solid powder, which was
further submitted to Centrifugal Partition
Chromatography CPC,(Kromaton, 1000rpm, 3ml/mn,
3mn/tube) which consists of a centrifuge with a
column of 200 ml, using a quaternary solvent
system, water/ethanol/ethyl acetate/hexane in the
ratio 7/2/8/1, to give four fractions in the ascendant
mode (A-E) (Delaunay,2002).
The fraction A was again subjected to CPC, using
the same solvent system, but in a different ratio;
3/3/5/4 (v/v), to yield three fractions (a-c) in the
ascendant mode and five fractions in the descendant
mode (d-h). Monitoring of the collected fractions
was achieved by TLC on Polygram silica gel 0.2 mm
with fluorescent indicator UV254 (Macherey-Nagel)
in the mixture CHCl3/MeOH/ HCOOH, 85/15/3
(v/v). Visualization of TLC plates was done by
spraying anisaldehyde reagent (mixture of 9:1 (v/v)
ethanol/acidified panisaldehyde reagent (Paterson,
1994)
Purification
The fraction a was purified using semi-
preparative HPLC (Varian, model 210) with a 4 x
250 mm Ultrasep RP18 reverse phase column (4 m)
(Bischoff) at room temperature using the solvents
H2O/TFA, 97.5/2.5 (v/v) (A) and ACN/solvent A,
80/20 (v/v) (B) with the gradient system as follows:
20-50% B (0-35 min), 50-100% B (35-40 min),
100% B (41-46 min), 100-20% B (46-48 min).
3-RESULTS
The purification of the fraction a yielded two
new molecules (-) trans--viniferin (1) and (+) cis -
viniferin (2) alongside trans resveratrol, trans
piceatannol, (+) and trans--viniferin (Fig. 1)
identified.
The fraction f of the descendant mode of CPC
gave two resveratrol tetramers hopeaphenol and
isohopeaphenol.(1997,Ito)
The structure of the isolated molecules was
elucidated by means of ,COSY)NMR -D2and -D1
NMR spectra were .techniques (and HMBC ,HSQC
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 93-96
[Guebailia A. et al.,]
MHz 300K on a Bruker AMX 303recorded at
mm -5rometer equipped with a broad band spect
ppm 10using a spectral width of ,probe Chemical
OD 3shifts were expressed as ppm relative to the CD
at 3.31 ppm. The spectroscopic data of the isolated
stilbenes is given in table 1. Mass spectroscopy
analysis using a MALDI-TOF gave molecular peaks
at m/z 455 and 907 [M+H]+ corresponding to a
resveratrol dimer and tetramer respectively. The H1
NMR spectra of the compounds presented
similarities to that of the well known (+) trans -
viniferin. However, the main difference was
observed between the olefenic protons (7b, 8b)
showing a J value of 16 Hz for trans -viniferin,
whereas it was of 12 Hz for the cis isomer (Table 1).
Further confirmation of the structure of isomers
was performed by optical rotation which gave []D=
-41.9 for (-) trans -viniferin, and []D= +41.8 for
(+) trans -viniferin.
4-DISCUSSION
Vitis vinifera is well known to rich resource of
various stilbenes (resveratrol, resveratrol derivatives
and oligomers). We reported in this study the
isolation and structure elucidation of two new
resveratrol dimers (-) trans -viniferin and (+) cis -
viniferin from the stems of vitis vinifera along with
known stilbenes.
(+) trans -viniferin has been isolated from
Vitaceaeous plants, but (-) trans -viniferin has been
isolated from the plants of other families
(Dipterocarpaceae) (Takaya, 2002).
(+) cis -viniferin was isolated from
Cyphostemmacrotalarioides (Ampelidaceae) (El
Bala, 1994) and was reported to be an antifungal
component.
Literature cited
-Bala, A.E.A., Kollman, A., Ducrot, P.H., Majira ,
A., Kerhoas , L., Leroux, P., Delorme, R., &
Einhorn , J. 2000. Cis-- viniferin: A new
antifungal resveratrol dehydrodimer from
cyphostemma crotalariodes roots. J.
Phytopathology 148: 2932.
-Bhat, K. P. L., Kosmeder II, J. W., Pezzuto J. M.,
Biological effects of resveratrol. Antioxid.
Redox. Signal 2001, 3:10411064.
-Boukharta, M., Girardin M., Metche, M. 1996.
Polyphenols Communications
-Delaunay, J. C., Castagnino, C., Chz,e C.,
Vercauteren, J. (2002). Preparative isolation of
polyphenolic compounds from Vitis Vinifera by
centrifugal partition chromatography. J.
Chromatogr . A 964: 123-128.
-Frmont, L. 1999.Minireview: biological effects of
resveratrol. Life Sci. 66: 663673.
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-Hollman, P.C.H., Hertog, M.G.L., Katan, M.B.,
1996. Analysis and health effects of flavonoids.
Food Chemistry 57:4346.
- O., Niwa., Ito J. A new hydroxystilbene tetramer
name. 1977 isohopeaphenol from Vitis vinifera
Kyihou Heterocycles 45. 1913-809.
-Jang, M., Cai, L., Udeani, G. O., Slowing, K. V.
1997.Cancer chemopreventive activity of
resveratrol, a natural product derived from
grapes. Science, 275:218220.
-Jayasinghe UL, Puvanendran S, Hara N, Fujimoto
Y. 2004. Stilbene derivatives with antifungal and
radical scavenging properties from the stem bark
of Artocarpus nobilis. Nat Prod Res. 18(6):571-
574
-Jeandet, P., Bessis, R., Maume, B. F., Meunier, P.,
Peyron, D., Trollat, P. 1997. Phytoalexins from
the Vitaceae : biosynthesis, phytoalexin gene
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 93-96
[Guebailia A. et al.,]
expression in transgenic plants, antifungal activity,
and metabolism. Anal. Chem. 69: 5172-517.
-Oh ,H., Ko, E.K., Jun, J.Y., Oh, M.H., Park ,S.U.,
Kang ,K.H., Lee, H.S., Kim, Y.C. 2002.
Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging
activities of prenylflavonoids, coumarin, and
stilbene from Morus alba. Planta Med.
68(10):932-934
-Paterson, R., Bridge, P. D. 1994. IMI Technical
Handbook No1, Distribution of Resveratrol
Oligomers in Plants
1993 .V ,Pasupathy ,.S ,Sotheeswaran
Phytochemistry .1092-1083:
-Takaya, Y., Yan, K.,X., Terashima, K., He, Y.,H.,
Niwa, M. 2002. Biogenetic reactions on stilbene
tetramers from Vitaceaeous plants. Tetrahedron
58:92659271
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SIPAM 2009

Table1. Chemical shifts H and J values of (-) trans --viniferin (1) , (+)cis --viniferin (2) and (+)
trans--viniferin (3)

H (ppm) (J (Hz))
No (-) Trans -viniferin Cis -viniferin (+)Trans -viniferin
2(6)a 7.22 d (8.6) 7.17 d(9.0) 7.19 d (8.5)
3(5)a 6.76 d (8.6) 6.92 d(9.0) 6.83 d (8.5)
7a 5.87 d (8.1) 5.40 d(5.0) 5.42 d (5.5)
8a 4.70 d (8.1) 4.11 d(5.0) 4.45 d (5.5)
10(14)a 5.82 d (2.1) 6.38 d(2.1) 6.24 brs
12a 5.98 t (2.1) 6.21 t(2.1) 6.25 brs
2(6)b 7.03 d (8.6) 6.89 d(8.6) 7.16 d (8.6)
3(5)b 6.62 d (8.6) 6.54 d(8.6) 6.74 d (8.6)
7b 6.75 d(16.4) 5.75 (12.2) 6.67d(16.0)
8b 6.95 d(16.4) 3.86 (12.2) 6.89d(16.0)
12b 6.37 d (2.0) 5.72 d(2.1) 6.32 d (2.0)
14b 6.73 d (2.0) 5.07 d(2.1) 6.70 d(2.0 )

Fig.1: Resveratrol dimers (viniferins) 1: (+) trans :2 ,viniferin(-) trans :3 ,viniferincis.viniferin

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mecheri R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Physical Chemistry Analysis of Four Plants: Rosemary, Eucalyptus,

Cinnamon, Thyme
Mecheri.R , Laredj.H , Ounaissia.K, Amroune.A,
Email: pharma_rym@yahoo.fr Medicine Faculty
Department of Pharmacy, Medical Botany Laboratory
Annaba 23000 Algeria

Abstract:
The application of essential oils in the treatment of human diseases is done by several
traditional techniques exerting a strong and positive effect on the bodies systems.
Our work is based on the study of four aromatic plants in Algeria (Rosemary, Eucalyptus,
Cinnamon and Thyme) in order to foresee the frequency of their employment as means of a
traditional medicine.
To reach this aim, we realized in the laboratory an extraction of the active principles of these
four aromatic plants and a chromatographic analysis to verify the quality of the essential oils and
identify their compounds.
The results show, as the example of the Cinnamon that the extraction efficiency (0,6) is lower
than theory. This is due to the drying conditions. After the analysis, the Thin-layer
Chromatography shows that the major compound is the Vanillin.
Keywords: chromatography, aromatic plants, essential oil, herbal medicine.

1-INTRODUCTION
Through the centuries, the human traditions
developed the knowledge and the use of plants.
If some medical practices seem strange and come
under the magic, others, on the contrary seem
effective.
A study is realized, based on a survey where a
questionnaire was proposed to inhabitants of two
belts, geographically and climatically different:
Guelma and Tebessa ; we have noted down a
frequent use of the four aromatic plants that are the
subject of an analysis of their chemical composition.
Eucalyptus globulus (Fig. 4).
The Eucalyptol contained in the aged leaves is an
antiseptic of the airways and it is an, excellent
balsamic. (Beloued , 1998)
Treatments
This material has been dried during 15 days
within the Laboratory of Medical Botany, in a dry,
aired and umbra place, after grinding of the Thyme,
Cinnamon, and Rosemary and the cut-out of the
Eucalyptus leafs.

2-MATERIALS AND METHODS Water potency

Plant Material
We chose 4 plants collected during the month of
May: Two were collected in the belt of Tebessa
Rosmarinus officinalis (Fig. 1)
The essential oils contained in the leaves and
flower stems are used as diuretics, antispasmodics
and cholagogues (Baba aissa, 1999).
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Fig. 2).
The barks essence has antiseptic, antihelminthic
and tonic effects.
Two are collected in the belt of Guelma (Baba
aissa, 1999)
Thymus vulgaris (Fig. 3).
The essential oils contained in the leaf and flower
stems have astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic and
et stimulating effects (Beloued , 1998)
10 gr of each sample was conserved aside, to
specify the water potency.
Extraction
100 gr of each sample was taken:
1. Extraction device. Water distiller (Fig. 5)
2. Chromatography. On Thin-layer.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Water potency
(Table 1)
Essential oil efficiency
The efficiency of the cinnamons Essential oil is
lower than theory because of the conditions and the
time of conservation (Stahl, 1974)
The rosemary efficiency is of 2,02 %. According
to the bibliography, the Rosemary of France contain
1 1,19 % of Essential oils ( Table 2)

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Chromatography
During the extraction, we obtained extracts from
4 species:
Spot 01: contain the essential oil of cinnamon; we
caught a sight of one binding place according to the
samples speed of migration compared with the
solvents speed of 26 % in correspondence to the
eugenol (Stahl, 1974)
Spot 02: Essential oil of Eucalyptus; one binding
place was observed on the Layer-thin chromatogra-
phy sheet that moves closer to the 1,8 cineol.
Spot 03: Essential oil of Rosemary, one binding
place. It is the camphor.
Spot 04: Essential oil of the Thyme, 3 binding
places were observed, and then identified after the
calculation of the Rf value.
Place 01: close to thymol
Place 02: matches to alpha-pinen
Place 03: is menthofurannes one, lower than one,
obtained with the Algerian rosemary of Tebessa
(Table 3).
4-CONCLUSION
These qualitative results could be quantified by
methods as Gas-chromatography connected to a mass
spectrometer ;and take the whole of the obtained
results in consideration, in order to make a guidebook
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :89-92
[Mecheri R. et al.,]
that proposes to codify the employment of the
aromatic plants and their physical-chemistry
characters to establish a traditional Algerian
pharmacopeia.
Aknowledgments:
I deeply thank the whole team of the Medical
Botany, especially my promoter, Dr. H. LAREDJ,
Assistant-professor , Head of Medical Botany
Laboratory, and I want to express to him all my
gratitude and my great and deep respect pour his
immeasurable support during the elaboration of this
article.
Literature Cited
-Baba aissa, Fr. 1999. Encyclopaedia of the useful
plants, flora of Algeria and Maghreb. Edition
edas.
-Beloued, A. 1998. Curative plants of Algeria.
Edition service of university publications.
-Oznda, P. 2004. Flora needs vgtation of Sahara.
dition National Centre for Scientific Research.
-Stahl, E .1974, .Analyse chromatographique and
microscopic of narcotics. Edition technology and
material, Paris, France.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mecheri R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Tables

Table 1. Water potency after drying

Fresh weight Dry weight Humidity
(gr) (gr) ()

Cinnamon 10 99 10
Eucalyptus 10 98 20
Rosemary 10 98 20
Thyme 10 99 10

Table 2. Organoleptic characters of the extracts of the four plants

Color Smell Extraction Efficiency
duration (ml/100gr)
(hours)
Cinnamon Brown-red Aromatic with a spiced smell 2 0.6
Eucalyptus light-yellow Aromatic, characteristic 3 0.3
reminding the smell of
eucalyptus
Rosemary Pale-yellow Aromatic, fresh, more or less 2 2.2
camphored
Thyme Dark-yellow Aromatic, phenolic with a 3 2.02
background lightly spiced

Table 3. Rf values of the obtained spots

Theoretical Rf values () Obtained Rf values () Chemical compounds

Cinnamon 20-30 26 Eugenol

Eucalyptus 45-55 58 1,8 cineol

Rosemary 15-25 22 Camphor

Thyme 85-90 95 Menthofuranne

50-60 62 Thymol
80-90 82 Alpha-pinen

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Mecheri R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Figures

Fig. 1 . Eucalyptus globulus leaves Fig. 2. Leaves and flower stems of the
Thymus vulgaris.

Fig. 3.bark of the Cinnamum zylanicum Fig. 4. Leaves and flower stems of the Rosmarinus
officinalis

Fig. 5. Extraction device of the essential oils

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Archana P.R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Essential Oil Constituents of Rhizome Oil of Alpinia Species

from South India
Archana Peshin Raina; Suresh Walia; Z. Abraham and S. K. Mishra
Germplasm Evaluation Division, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR),
New Delhi-110012, India
Phone: 091- 011- 25848074 (Office) Fax: 091-011 - 25842495; Email: aprraina@yahoo.co.in

Abstract :
Alpinia species (Family; Zingiberaceae) are used as a food additive, spice and in indigenous
system of medicine. In the present study germplasm of three different species of Alpinia viz;
Alpinia galanga (7 accessions), Alpinia calcarata (5 accessions), and Alpinia officinarum (1
accession), collected from different locations of South India were evaluated. The essential oils
from rhizomes of these Alpinia species were isolated by hydrodistillation. The oil percentage was
maximum in A. calcarata (0.73-1.26%), followed by Alpinia galanga (0.27-0.62%) and Alpinia
officinarum (0.21%). The essential oils were analyzed by capillary GC and GC-MS. Thirty
compounds were identified in these oils. Chemical profiles differed among these species. The
major component detected in the three species was 1,8-cineole. Its percentage varied from 40.92-
72.49% in A. galanga, 32.5-46.77% in A. calcarata and 44.17% in A. officinarum. Maximum 1,8-
cineole content was found in A. galanga accession IC349746 (72.49%), followed by IC 265610
(70.3%) and IC 336196 (68.9%). In addition to cineole, a substantially high content of -fenchyl
acetate (19.87%) was observed in A. calcarata followed by 8.91% in A. officinarum whereas it
was negligible in A. galanga. Other components found in appreciable amounts in A. calcarata
were -pinene (2.48%), camphene (6.02%), -pinene (4.14%), camphor (5.27%), -terpineol
(6.44%) and methyl cinnamate (2.68%). The A. officinarum contained also -pinene (1.99%),
camphene (3.16%), -pinene (5.68%), camphor (2.51%), -terpineol (6.35%), -fenchyl acetate
(8.91%) and methyl cinnamate (1.88%). The drugs prepared from the A. galanga, A. officinarum
and A. calcarata due to high 1,8-cineole could be used for rheumatism treatment, bronchial
catarrh, asthma and in reducing pain. Therefore, there is a promising possibility to utilize these
plant species native to South India for industrial purpose.
Keywords: Alpinia calcarata, Alpinia galanga, Alpinia officinarum, germplasm, GC-MS, oil
components.

1-INTRODUCTION 1995; Raina et al., 2002; Scheffer et al., 1981). These

The genus Alpinia belongs to the family
Zingiberaceae with Alpinia galanga Willd. (greater
galangal), Alpinia officinarum Hance (lesser
galangal) and Alpinia calcarata Rosc. as the
important species. They are found in tropical
countries, including India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and
Thailand (Anon 1985; Chopra et al., 1986). The
drugs prepared from these Alpinia species are used in
the treatment of rheumatism, bronchial catarrh, and
asthma and in reducing pain. It is used to stimulate
digestion, purify blood, and improve voice and to
treat inflammation (Kiritikar and Basu, 1935). The
dry rhizomes of A. galanga are used in flavouring
foods, meat dishes and curries in Malaysia (De
Pooter et al., 1985). It also yields an essential oil of
commercial importance used for preparation of
perfumes, pharmaceuticals, room sprays, lotion and
cosmetic products.
The essential oil in the rhizome of A. galanga has
been reported by many researchers from several
countries (Charles et al., 1992; De Pooter et al., 1985;
Lawrence 2005; Mallavarapu et al., 2002; Mori et al.,
oils were found to possess compositional differences,
suggesting the existence of chemotypes in this
species. The oil from Indonesia was made up
predominantly of monoterpenoids with pinenes
(18.6%) and 1,8-cineole (47.3%) while the Malaysian
oil was characterized by sesquiterpenoids with (E)--
farnesene (18.2%) and -bisabolene (16.2%) as the
major components (Scheffer et al., 1981; Mori et al.,
1995; Jantan et al., 2004). Few studies dealt with the
rhizome oil of A. officinarum (Lawrence et al., 1969).
The 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) was the major
constituent in the rhizome oil of A. calcarata
(Arambewela et al., 2005; Kaul et al., 2005; Kong et
al., 2000; Rath et al., 1994; Tiwari et al., 1999).
Botanical extracts and essential oils of many plant
species have a great potential in the area of
nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical
industries. Because of their diverse uses and
applications, attempts to characterize their bioactive
principles have recently gained momentum. The
present study aimed to evaluate the chemical
composition of three important species of Alpinia

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namely A. galanga, A. calcarata and A. officinarum
from India.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
The plant materials of A. galanga, A. calcarata
and A. officinarum were collected from different
locations of South India. These were grown at
NBPGR Regional Station, Thrissur. Rhizomes were
collected at the time of flowering for two consequent
years for chemical analysis.
Oil Extraction
Freshly harvested 500 g-samples were cut into
pieces, semi-dried and hydrodistilled using a
Clevengers apparatus for 4 h. The oil samples were
stored at 4C in an airtight glass vial after drying
over anhydrous sodium sulphate.
Gas Chromatography
GC analysis of the volatile constituents in oil
samples was performed using Perkin Elmer
Autosystem gas chromatograph, fitted with flame
ionization detector and a Carbowax 20M capillary
column (50m 0.25 mm; 0.25m coating). Nitrogen
was used as carrier gas at the flow rate of 1 ml/min.
The oven temperature was programmed from 60C to
180C at 3C/min. Detector temperature was
maintained at 250C. The sample (0.1 l) was
injected neat in split ratio (1:40) at 250C. Area
percentage reports obtained by GC-FID were directly
applied for quantification purpose without any
corrections.
Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry
GS-MS analysis was carried out on a TRACE-GC
(Thermo Finnigan) coupled with Fison MD-800
quadrupole mass detector and DB-17 capillary
column (30m 0.32 mm i.d.; film thickness 0.25
m). Temperature programming was done from 75C
to 250 C at 5C/ min. Helium was used as the carrier
gas at 1 mL/min flow rate. Mass spectra were
recorded over 40-400 amu range at 1 scan/s with
ionization energy of 70 eV and ion source
temperature at 250C. The split ratio used was 1:20.
The constituents of the oils were identified by
comparing the retention times of the peaks with those
reported in the literature (Jennings and Shibamoto,
1980; Davies 1990), matching mass spectral data of
the peaks with literature values (; Ramaswamy et al.,
1988; Adams 1990) and wherever possible by peak
enrichment of the peaks with authentic standards.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The essential oil proportion of Alpinia galanga
isolated from rhizomes of six accessions of Alpinia
galangal (L.) collected from South India ranged from
0.27 % to 0.62% (Table 1). It was highest in IC
87883 (0.62%) followed by IC 349746 (0.56%).
Thirty compounds accounting 92.47% to 97.70%
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :85-88
[Archana P.R. et al.,]
were identified in this oil (Table 2). The major
component was 1,8-cineole and its proportion varied
from 40.92-72.49% in A. galanga. The major
components in IC 349746 were 1,8-cineole (72.49%)
followed by -terpineol (2.79%), -pinene (3.64%),
terpinen-4-ol (2.83%), -terpinene (0.40%), eugenol
(0.61%), geranyl acetate (0.55%), caryophyllene
oxide (0.92%), -sesquiphellandrene (2.63%),
methyl eugenol (0.59%) and nerolidol (0.53%). The
occurrence of 1,8-cineole as major component in the
rhizome oil of A. galanga in the current study is in
agreement with the findings of Mallavarapu et al.
(2002) and Dutta and Nath (2003). In contrast,
methyl cinnamate (45%), -terpineol (19.1%), trans
-farnesene (18.2%) and myrcene (94.5%) and five
chemotypes of this species are reported. It was
concluded that our South Indian A. galanga is 1,8
cineole rich chemotype.
The rhizomes of A. calcarata on hydrodistillation
yielded a colorless to pale yellow volatile oil with
camphoraceous and spicy odour. The mean oil
percentage in rhizomes varied from 0.73% to 1.26%
in different collections evaluated for two years (Table
1). Out of these two collections viz; IC 210421 and
IC 373610 from Pathananithitta district of Kerala,
gave high mean oil content of 1.26% and 0.99%
respectively. The analysis of these oils by GC and
GC-MS revealed the presence of 29 components. The
volatile constituents identified in the rhizome oils of
A. calcarata IC 210421 are given in Table 2. Among
the identified compounds it contained 14
monoterpenes (65.64%), 4 sesquiterpenes (1.25%), 3
monoterpene esters (21.32%) and rest aromatics
(4.05%) which accounted for 92.86% of the total oil.
The most dominant monoterpene was 1,8-cineole
which comprised 37.21% of the total oil, followed by
-fenchyl acetate 19.87%. Other compounds of the
oil were -pinene (4.13%), camphene (6.02%), -
pinene (3.89%), camphor (4.38%), -terpineol
(5.71%) and methyl cinnamate (2.63%). Arambewela
et al. (2005) reported 1,8-cineole as major compound
in rhizome and leaf oils of A. calcarata grown in Sri
Lanka whereas -Fenchyl acetate was the major
constituent in its root oil. Results showed
compositional variation between oils of A. calcarata
and A. galanga. The latter consists of predominantly
1,8-cineole (67.5%, Dutta and Nath, 2003) whereas
the former comprised of -fenchyl acetate (19.87%),
camphene (6.02%) and camphor (5.27%) in addition
to 1,8-cineole (37.21%).
Chemical composition of A. officinarum also had
1,8 cineole (44.17%) as the major constituent
followed by -fenchyl acetate (8.91%), -pinene
(1.99%), camphene (3.16%), -pinene (5.68%),
camphor (2.51%), -terpineol (6.35%), and methyl
cinnamate (1.88%). A. officinarum and A. calcarata
have similar chemical composition.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
The 1,8-cineole, an important aroma chemical,
has expectorant, antiseptic and anesthetic properties
and is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations.
Since plant collections of Alpinia species native to
South India are rich in 1,8-cineole, they could be
valorized in pharmaceutical and agrochemical
industry. The oil of Alpinia species or its constituents
namely 1,8-cineole and -fenchyl acetate hold
promise as a possible pest control agents. Recently,
1,8-cineole the major constituent of eucalyptus oil
proved efficient against the mosquito. Therefore,
there is a promising possibility to utilize this plant
species native to Kerala, South India for various
industrial purposes.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to Director, NBPGR,
New Delhi, for his keen interest and encouragement.
Literature cited
-Adams, R. P. 1990. Identification of Essential Oils
by Ion Trap Mass Spectroscopy. Academic
Press, San Deigo, CA., USA.
-Anonymous. 1985. The Wealth of India: Raw
Materials. Vol I, C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India. pp.
198-199.
-Arambewela, L. S. R., Kumaratunge, Ajith,
Arawwawela, Menuka, Owen, Noel L. and Li
Du. 2005. Volatile oils of Alpinia calcarata
Rosc. Grown in Sri Lanka. J. Essent. Oil Res.17:
124-125.
-Charles, D.J., Simon, J.E. and Singh, N.K. 1992.
The essential oil of Alpinia galanga Willd. J.
Essent. Oil Res. 4: 81-82.
-Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I. C. 1986.
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, pp. 13,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research,
New Delhi, India.
-Davies, N.W. 1990. Gas Chromatographic retention
indices of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes on
methyl silicone and Carbowax 20M phases. J.
Chromotogr. 503: 1-24.
-De Pooter Herman, L., Muhammad, N.O., Brigitte,
A. C. and Niceas, M.S. 1985. The essential oil of
greater galanga (Alpinia galanga) from
Malaysia. Phytochemistry 24: 93-96.
-Dutta, M. and Nath, S.C. 2003. Essential oil
components of the rhizome of Alpinia galanga
Willd. native to North East India.(In):
Bioprospecting of commercially important
plants; Proc. Nat. Symp., ISAB-JC, pp. 213-216,
Borah, R.C., Talukdar, A. Kataky, J C.S., Unni,
B.G., Modi, M.K. and Deka, P.C. Eds.
-Guenther, E. 1950. The Essential Oils, Vol 2; Van
Nostrand Company, New York. pp. 710.
-Jennings, W. and Shibamoto, T. 1980. Qualitative
Analysis of Flavor and Fragrance Volatiles by
Glass Capillary Gas Chromatography, Academic
Press, New York.
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[Archana P.R. et al.,]
-Jantan, I. B., Ahmad, F. B. and Ahmad, A. S. 2004.
Constituents of the rhizome and seed oils of
greater galanga Alpinia galangal (L.) Willd from
Malaysia. J Essent. Oil Res. 16: 174-176.
-Kaul, P.N., Rajeswara Rao, B.R., Singh, K. and
Bhattacharya, A.K. 2005. Volatile constituents of
essential oils isolated from different parts of
Alpinia calcarata Rosc. J. Essent. Oil Res. 17: 7-
9.
-Kirtikar, K.R.and Basu, B. D. 1935. Indian
Medicinal Plants, Vol IV, pp. 2445-2446, IInd
edn, M/s. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,
New Delhi.
-Kong, L. Y., Qin, M. J. and Niwa, M. 2000.
Diterpenoids from the rhizomes of Alpinia
calcarata. J. Nat. Prod. 63: 939-942.
-Lawrence, B.M. 2005.Galangal Oil. In: Progress in
Essential Oils. Perf. and Flav. 30: 66-72.
-Lawrence, B.M., Hogg, J.W. and Terhune, S.J.
1969. Essential oils and their constituents. Part 2.
The oil of Alpinia officinarium Hance. Perfum.
Essent. Oil Rec. 60: 88-96.
-Mallavarapu, G.R., Rao, L., Ramesh, S., Dimri, B.P,
Rajeswara Rao, B.R., Kaul, P.N. and
Bhattacharya, A.K. 2002. Composition of the
volatile oils of Alpinia galanga rhizomes and
leaves from India. J. Essent. Oil Res. 14: 397-
399.
-Mori, H., Kubota, K. and Kobayashi, A. 1995.
Potent aroma components of rhizomes from
Alpinia galanga Willd. L. Nippon Shokuhin
Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi 42: 989-995.
-Raina,V.K., Srivastava, S.K. and Syamasundur,
K.V. 2002. The essential oil of greater galangal
(Alpinia galanga L. Willd) from the lower
Himalayan region of India. Flav. Fragn. J. 17:
358-360.
-Rath, S.P., Sahoo, S.B. and Srinivasulu, C. 1994.
Analysis of cultivated Alpinia calcarata. Indian
J. Nat Prod. 10: 12-13.
-Ramaswamy, S.K., Briscese,P., Gargiullo,R.J. and
Geldern, T.V.1988. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons
from mass confusion to orderly line-up. In:
Proc.10th International Congress of Essential
Oils, Flavours and Fragrances: pp. 951-980.
Lawrence, B.M, Mookherjee, B.D. and Willis,
B.J. (eds.), Elsevier Sci. Publ., Amsterdam.
-Scheffer, C.J.J., Gani, A. and Baerheim-Svendsen,
A. 1981. Monoterpenes in the essential rhizome
oil of Alpinia galanga L. Willd. Sci. Pharm. 49:
337-346.
-Tiwari, A., Pant, A.K., Mathela, C.S., Mengi, N. E.,
Kohl, E. and Bestmann, H.J. 1999. Volatile
constituents of Alpinia calcarata. J. Essent. Oil
Res. 11: 739-741.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Archana P.R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Tables

Table1. Essential oil content (%) of Alpinia species rhizomes

Oil content *
Alpinia species (%)
Alpinia galanga (7 accs.) 0.27-0.62
Alpinia calcarata (5 accs.) 0.73-1.26
Alpinia officinarum (1 accs.) 0.21

* Average of two years chemical evaluation.

Table 2. Essential oil composition of Alpinia species*.

Alpinia Alpinia Alpinia

No. Constituent galanga calcarata officinarum
1 -thujene 0.02 tr 0.01
2 -pinene 3.64 2.48 1.99
3 camphene 0.18 6.02 3.16
4 -pinene 0.82 4.14 5.68
5 myrcene - 0.24 0.90
6 limonene 0.14 - -
7 1,8 cineole 72.49 37.21 44.17
8 -terpinene 0.4 0.01 0.17
9 p-cymene 0.68 0.93 0.15
10 terpinolene 0.01 - -
11 fenchone 0.22 0.79 0.59
12 -fenchyl acetate 0.23 19.87 8.91
13 camphor 0.04 5.27 2.51
14 linalool 0.29 0.34 0.2
15 bornyl acetate 0.59 0.36 0.79
16 terpinene-4-ol 2.83 0.31 4.49
17 -caryophyllene 0.48 0.63 4.32
18 -farnesene - 0.41 -
19 -terpineole 2.79 6.44 6.35
20 borneol 1.11 0.41 0.06
21 geranyl acetate 0.55 0.29 -
22 bisabolene 2.20 0.21 -
23 geraniol 0.51 0.17 -
24 methyl eugenol 0.59 1.48 2.93
25 nerolidol 0.53 0.54 0.25
26 methyl cinnamate 0.24 2.68 1.88
27 caryophyllene oxide 0.92 0.05 0.20
28 -sesquiphellandrene 2.63 - -
29 farnesol 0.27 0.25 0.07
30 eugenol 0.61 0.28 0.20
*Data indicates area percentage.

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Nejia H et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Dtermination des Conditions Optimales dExtraction et Analyses des

Huiles Essentielles dEucalyptus salubris : Etude Quantitative
et Qualitative

Nejia H., Rawdha G., Naceur H., Mehrez R.

Unit de recherche MACS, ENIG, Route de Mdenine, 6029, Gabs, Tunisie.
herzi_nejia@yahoo.fr

Rsum :
Les huiles essentielles contenues dans les matires vgtales, comportent des principes actifs
fortes valeurs ajoutes. Mais, ces huiles sont prsentes en faible quantit, do la ncessit de
dterminer les conditions optimales pour les extraire. Cest dans ce cadre que se situe ce travail de
recherche qui a pour objectif dtudier les diffrents paramtres influenant le procd dextraction
des huiles essentielles issues dEucalyptus salubris et dterminer aussi les conditions optimales
dextraction. Pour cela deux tudes ont t menes : une tude quantitative (rendement en huile
essentielle) et une tude qualitative (analyses physico-chimique et chromatographique) qui ont
permis danalyser et de comparer les diffrentes huiles rcupres et dapprcier leurs qualits.
Cette tude a montr que, plusieurs facteurs interviennent sur le rendement en huile essentielle
dEucalyptus salubris. Ces facteurs peuvent tre intrinsques tels que lorgane de la plante utilis
(feuille, tige, fleurs, fruit), la priode et le lieu de la rcolte, la macration pralable, le taux
dhydratation de la matire vgtale ainsi que le broyage. Dautres facteurs extrinsques peuvent
influencer le rendement et la composition des huiles essentielles savoir le procd dextraction
utilis (hydro distillation et extraction par solvant organique) et les diffrents paramtres relis aux
conditions opratoires de lextraction (le cohobage, le temps dextraction, le rapport masse
vgtale/masse deau, le dbit de distillat, nature du solvant utilis).
Les rsultats exprimentaux ont montr que les meilleurs rendements en huile essentielle
dEcalyptus salubris ont t obtenus en mois de Mars (4.625%) correspondant la priode de
floraison, partir des feuilles sches, broyes et cueillies Tunis, et par lHydrodistillation comme
technique dextraction.
Les composs majeurs dhuile essentielle dEucalyptus salubris sont le 1,8 cinole (77,1%),
l-pinne (7%) et (Z)-p-menth-2-en-1-ol (5,46%).
Mots-cls : Extraction, Huile Essentielle, Eucalyptus salubris, procd dextraction, composition
chimique.

1-INTRODUCTION Le prsent travail a pour objectif dtudier la

L'arbre dEucalyptus salubrus est un grand arbre
croissance rapide qui est indigne en Australie et en
Tasmanie. L'arbre peut atteindre 375-480 pieds
(125-160 mtres). L'Eucalyptus appartient la
famille de myrte (Myrtaceae).
L'arbre se dveloppe mieux dans les secteurs avec
une temprature moyenne de 60F (15C).
Les feuilles vertes bleutres portent les proprits
mdicinales de l'arbre et atteignent une longueur de 6
12 pouces (15 30 centimtres). Elles contiennent
galement une huile volatile parfume qui est
antibactrienne, anti-inflammatoire, dsodorisante,
diurtiques, et a des proprits antispasmodiques.
D'autres constituants des feuilles incluent des tannins,
des acides phnoliques, des flavonodes (Eucalyptin,
rutine), des sesquiterpnes, des aldhydes, et des
ctones (Abdellah F, 2002).
variabilit quantitative (rendement) et qualitative
(composition chimique) de lhuile essentielle issue
dEucalyptus salubris de la Tunisie sous leffet de
diffrents paramtres intrinsques et extrinsques.
2-MATERIELS ET METHODES
Matire vgtale
La plante dEucalyptus Salubris utilise dans
cette tude a t collecte de diffrentes rgions de
la Tunisie (Gabes, Sfax, Tunis), au dbut de chaque
des mois suivantes : Fvrier, Mars, Avril et Mai (Fig.
1).
Aprs la rcolte, les diffrents lots de la matire
vgtale ont t conservs dans les mmes conditions
et leurs taux dhumidit ont t contrls avant
lextraction.

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 Actes du sminaire international
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
Traitements
Les plantes rcoltes sont schs labri de la
lumire jusqu' la stabilit de leurs poids qui
correspond un taux dhydratation 14.6 %.
Au cours de chaque essai, 50 g de la matire
vgtale et leau distille sont places dans des
proportions bien dtermines dans un ballon.
Lensemble est port lbullition. Les vapeurs
produites traversent la colonne et sortent du
condenseur ltat liquide. A la fin de la distillation
deux phases sont observes, une phase aqueuse (eau
aromatique) et une phase organique (huile
essentielle) moins dense que leau.
Les huiles essentielles rcupres ont t sches
avec du sulfate de sodium anhydre, peses
(rendement) et conserves au rfrigrateur 4C dans
des bouteilles sombres pour les prserver de la
chaleur et de la lumire jusqu leur analyse.
Technique dextraction
Notre travail est une tude de dtermination des
conditions optimales dextraction des huiles
essentielles dEucalyptus Salubris. Il est bas sur
trois procds :
Hydrodistillation : Lextraction des HE par
hydrodistillation lchelle de laboratoire est
effectue laide dun systme de Clevenger, quadripolaire type HEWLETT PACKARD srie HP
lintrieur du quel la vapeur deau, produite au
niveau du bouilleur de 1 L (eau + matire vgtale) et
qui est riche en HE, circule pour tre condense dans
un condenseur eau contre courant. La distillation
peut seffectuer avec ou sans recyclage de la phase
aqueuse obtenue lors de la dcantation. Le principe
de recyclage est appel cohobage ou cohobation. Elle
est gnralement conduite pression atmosphrique.
1. Entranement la Vapeur. La vapeur produite
par la chaudire, est envoye vers le ballon de
barbotage o se trouve la matire vgtale traiter.
Elle entraine avec elle les composs volatils qui
seront condenss grce un rfrigrant eau. Aprs
dcantation, on obtient deux phases: organique et
aqueuse
2. Extraction sous Ultrasons. Les ultrasons sont des
ondes vibratoires de frquences suprieures 20 000
Hz (35 KHz). Ils ont les proprits des ondes
lastiques. Leur propagation est quasi optique, avec
peu de diffraction. Ces ondes se propagent en ligne
droite comme les ondes hertziennes millimtriques et
les infrarouges, dont la gamme de longueurs donde
est la mme. Elles peuvent former des faisceaux
dune haute nergie. La vitesse de propagation des
ultrasons varie avec le milieu travers (331 m/s dans
lair, 6400 m/s dans laluminium). Lextraction sous
ultrasons consiste mettre le matriel vgtal dans
un flacon contenant un volume deau bien dtermin
et le placer dans le bac ultrasons, un liquide de
couplage est ncessaire pour transmettre les ultrasons
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :77-84
[Nejia H et al.,]
au milieu ractionnel contenu dans le flacon. Aprs
un certains temps, le contenu du flacon subit une
Hydrodistillation pendant 3 heures.
Rendement en huile essentielle
Le rendement des huiles essentielles est
dtermin par la relation suivante :
R (%) = ((M Hpo + M Hpa) / M mv)*100
Avec R (%): rendement en huile essentielle de la
plante traite
M Hpo: masse de lhuile essentielle de la phase
organique
M Hpa: masse de lhuile essentielle de la phase
aqueuse
M mv : masse de la matire vgtale
En ce qui concerne le taux dhydratation TH (%), il
est calcul comme suit :
TH (%) = (M ev / M iv)*100
Avec M ev : masse deau contenu dans la matire
vgtale
M iv : masse initiale de la matire vgtale
Analyses chromatographiques
Dans notre tude, les HE obtenues ont t
analyses laide dun chromatographe en phase
gazeuse type HEWLETT PACKARD HP 6390 srie
GS System, coupl un spectromtre de masse
5973, muni dune banque de donnes de spectres.
Les conditions opratoires des analyses sont les
suivantes :
Colonne capillaire HP 5 MS apolaire en
mthylsilicone, de longueur 30 m, et de diamtre
interne 0.25 m, dont la phase stationnaire est
constitue de 5% de phnylmthylsilicone et de
95% de dimthylpolyxilosane, ayant une
paisseur de 0.25mm. La temprature de four est
programme 45C pendant 2 mn, puis de 45C
220C raison de 5C/mn, puis de nouveau
isotherme pendant 2 mn 220C. Le mode
dinjection est split la temprature de 250C, et le
volume dinjection et de lordre de 0.5l.
Le gaz vecteur est lhlium (He) avec un dbit de
1.2 ml/mn, de rapport split 60/1.
Le profil chromatographique est compar des
talons dhuiles essentielles pures, injects dans les
mmes conditions opratoires que lchantillon
dhuile essentielle extraite. A laide des temps de
rtention relevs, lintgrateur localise sur le
chromatogramme les pics correspondants aux
constituants reprsentatifs caractristiques.
3-RESULTATS
Etude des facteurs dordre naturel
1. Influence du schage et du taux dhydratation
de la plante. Pour tudier l'effet de la nature de
schage du matriel vgtal, on a utilis trois
chantillons d'eucalyptus Salubris cueilli le mois de
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Mai de la rgion de Gabes : le premier lot tait mis
lobscurit, le deuxime tait mis lair libre et composition et les proportions des composs varient
l'humidit et le troisime a t plac dans un four
fonctionnant une temprature de 80 C. Pour les
trois lots, le taux dhydratation t fix 21 ,4 %. lEucalyptol nomm aussi le 1 ,8 Cinole.
Les rsultats sont reprsents dans le tableau 1.
Afin dtudier linfluence du taux dhydratation
de la plante sur le rendement des huiles essentielles,
un lot de feuilles dE-salubris, cueilli de la rgion de
Gabs pendant le mois de Mai, a t divis en 5
parties. La premire, correspondant la plante
frache et prsentant un taux dhydratation de 46%, a
donn un rendement de 1, 82%. Les autres ont t
sches durant des priodes diffrentes, permettant
dextraire les H.E partir de matire vgtale avec
des taux dhydratation de 33%; 28%; 21%, 18% et 15
%. La Fig. 2 regroupe les diffrents rsultats obtenus.
2. Influence de la priode de la rcolte. Lors de
cette tude, nous avons utilis les feuilles dEucalyp-
tus Salubris sches, cueillies de la rgion de Gabs
durant les mois de Fvrier, Mars, Avril et Mai. Les
rsultats obtenus sont prsents dans la Fig. 3.
3. Influence du lieu de la rcolte. Afin dtudier ce
paramtre, l'Hydrodistillation a t faite sur trois
chantillons de la mme espce cueillie le mois de
Mars de diffrentes rgions : Gabes, Sfax et Tunis.
Les rsultats sont regroups dans la Tableau 2.
4. Influence de lorgane. Afin de dterminer la
localisation des huiles essentielles au sein de la
plante dtude, on a ralis lHydrodistillation de
divers constituants: feuilles, tiges et fleurs.
Les expriences sont faites pour la mme varit
de matire vgtale : E.salubris cueilli le mois de
Mars de la rgion de Sfax. Sur le tableau 3, on a
reprsent les rsultats obtenus.
Etude des facteurs dordre technologique
1. Influence du cohobage. Etude quantitative : Pour
tudier ce paramtre, deux expriences diffrentes
ont t ralises : hydrodistillation avec et sans
cohobage. Les rsultats obtenus sont donnes par le
tableau 4.
Etude qualitative : Le cohobage parait un
paramtre influant sur la qualit des huiles
essentielles soit sur leur teneur, soit sur le nombre
des constituants. Les rsultats obtenus par analyse
chromatographique des huiles essentielles,
reprsentant un chantillon avec cohobage et un autre
sans cohobage, sont regroup dans le tableau 4.
2. Influence du temps dextraction. Lors de cette
tude, nous avons suivi le rendement dextraction
toutes les 30 minutes. Les rsultats obtenus sont
donnes par la Fig. 4.Nous avons utilis lEucalyptus
salubris de la rgion de Gabs, cueilli en Mars. La
cintique dextraction est reprsente dans la Fig. 4.
3. Influence de technique dextraction. Lhuile
essentielle dE. salubris est riche en plusieurs
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :77-84
[Nejia H et al.,]
composs, daprs les rsultats obtenues ci-dessus, la
considrablement avec le procds dextraction, le
compos majoritaire des huiles deucalyptus est
Lhydrodistillation est le procd qui a permet
dextraire une huile trs riche en ce compos, avec
une proportion de 77,109 % (tableau 5).
4-DISCUSSION
Daprs les rsultats obtenus, on remarque que le
rendement des huiles essentielles, est trs variable
selon les diffrents procds et les paramtres lis
la technique dextraction et les conditions de la
plante. Ils ont montr bien que tous les organes de
l'arbre d'eucalyptus salubris sont productifs d'huiles
essentielles (tableau 3), mais les rendements varient
dun organe lautre. En effet, le rendement est de
0.6% pour les tiges, 2.44 % pour les fleurs et 4 %
pour les feuilles. Cela peut tre d la prsence de la
majorit des glandes scrtrices au niveau des
feuilles. Aussi le schage amliore le rendement en
huile essentielle ou le meilleur rendement 3.829 est
obtenu avec le schage labri de la lumire, ce qui
reprsente une amlioration de 57.6 % par rapport au
schage au four. Par contre, on a enregistr une faible
diffrence entre le schage au four et celui lair
libre (Fig. 1).
Ainsi, le rendement en HE augmente consid-
rablement avec la diminution du taux dhydratation
(Fig. 2) (le rendement passe de 1, 82 % 3, 15%
pour des taux respectifs de 45,952% 14,6%) avec
une amlioration du rendement des huiles essentielles
de 42.22 % et se stabilise (rendement maximum)
partir dun taux dhydratation voisinant les 17%.
Cette amlioration en fonction du type de schage
et dfrentes taux dhydratation peut tre explique
par le fait que la matire vgtale continue produire
les huiles essentielles ou que leau prsente dans les
pores ralentie sa diffusion vers lextrieur.
De mme, pour une espce donne, le rendement
et la composition de lhuile essentielle peuvent varier
de faon remarquable tout au long du cycle de
dveloppement de la plante. En effet, la biosynthse
des principes odorants volue lors de la maturation
de la plante. Elle est prdominante pendant les
priodes de forte croissance, ou pendant celles
correspondant des activits mtaboliques internes,
telles que la floraison et la fruitaison (Della Porta G,
1999).
Les rsultats obtenus (Fig. 3) montre que le
meilleur rendement en huile essentielle dEucalyptus
salubris a t obtenu en Mars (2, 94%) correspondant
la priode de floraison, la fin de ce stade le
rendement diminue puis augmente progressivement
pour atteindre la fruitaison.
De plus, avec cohobage, on obtient un nombre de
constituants infrieurs celui sans cohobage, et ce ci
peut sexpliquer par le fait que certains composs se
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dtruisent lorsquils retournent dans lalambic et ne
distillent pas de nouveau. La teneur du 1 ,8 Cineole
diminue de 17 % lorsquon limine le cohobage, de
mme l -pinne diminue de 50 ,8 % et le camphre
disparait compltement, dune autre part, il ya des
composs qui augmentent de teneur lorsquon
limine le retour de lhydrolat lalambic tel que le
(E)-p-Menth-2-en-1-ol qui augmente de 60 ,3 % et le
Cis-piperitol qui augmente de 18,18%.
Aussi bien le rendement obtenu par
Hydrodistillation est plus important que ceux
obtenus par entranement la vapeur et Ultrason.
Notre rsultat est identiques celle tudies dans
les dernires annes (Thierry Bernard et all., 1988 ;
S. Fellah, 2001 ; Y. El aoud, 2004) qui ont bien mis
en vidence que la composition chimique des H.E
diffre selon le procd dextraction utilis (Thierry
Bernard et all., 1988). Les analyses des huiles
essentielles obtenues sont reprsentes dans le
tableau 6.
Les composs majeurs dans les huiles essentielles
issues diffrentes varits dEucalyptus (Adebola O,
1999 ; Penfold A.R and Willis J.L, 1961 ; Della
Porta G et all, 1999) sont toujours presque les mmes
mais leurs teneurs est trs variable.
Dans notre cas, lobservation des rsultats
(tableau 2) montre que lorigine de la matire
vgtale a un effet net sur le rendement dextraction
des huiles essentielles. Ainsi, le climat et la nature du
sol Tunis semble tre plus favorable la culture de
lEucalyptus. En effet, Tunis le rendement est de
4.63 % alors qu Gabes il ne dpasse pas les 3 %
(2.94%). Celui de Sfax est similaire celui de Gabs.
Les principaux composs dHE dEucalyptus
salubris extraites par entranement la vapeur sont
l-pinne (14.17 %) et le 1,8-cinole (68.76 %) et
ceux extraites par Hydrodistillation sont le p- cymne
(13.97) et le 1,8-cinole (48.98 %). Le pourcentage,
du principal compos, le 1,8-cinole obtenu par
entranement la vapeur est 1,5 fois plus important
que celui obtenu par Hydrodistillation. Par contre, le
p- cymne, lun des composs majoritaire de lH.E
obtenu par Hydrodistillation, est 5 fois plus grand
que celui obtenu par entranement la vapeur. Les
composs le -terpinne et le borneol font partie
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :77-84
[Nejia H et al.,]
seulement de la composition des huiles essentielles
obtenues par Hydrodistillation.
Dune manire gnrale, les facteurs extrieurs
aussi bien que les conditions de traitement
engendrent conjointement une variation des
caractristiques des huiles essentielles extraites. Ce
travail a permis de limiter cette variabilit et de
dterminer les conditions optimales dextraction de
lhuile essentielle dEucalyptus salubris pour une
meilleure exploitation de cette plante aussi bien sur
les plans quantitatif, qualitatif, quconomique.
Bibliographies
-Abdellah F, Fechtal M, Chaouch A and Zrira S,
The essential oils of eucalyptus Camaldulensis
its natural hybrid (colone 583) from Morocco ,
Flavour and fragrance Journal, 2002.
-Adebola O. Oyedeji, Olayide N. Olawore, Olusegun
Ekundayo and Wilfreid A. Koenig, Volatile leaf
oil constituents of three eucalyptus species from
Negeria Flavour and fragrance Journal, 1999.
-Della Porta G, Porcedda S, Marongiu B and
Reverchon E, Isolation of eucalyptus oil by
supercritical fluid extraction , Flavour and
Fragrance Journal, 1999.
- Della Porta G, Porcedda S, Marongiu B and
Reverchon E, Isolation of eucalyptus oil by
supercritical fluid extraction , Flavour and
Fragrance Journal, 1999.
-PENFOLD A.R and WILLIS J.L, The Eucalyptus,
botany,cultivation, chemistry and utilization ,
1961.
-Souad Fellah Valorisation de la sauge officinale
tunisienne : extraction, tude physico-chimique
et thorique DEA, Facult de science de Tunis
2001.
-Thierry Bernard, Francis Perineau, Ren Bravo,
Michel Delmas et A. Gaset, Extraction des
huiles essentielles : chimie et technologie
informations chimie n298, Octobre 1988, 179-
184.
-Yousri Elaoud, Contribution lextraction et
lanalyse des huiles essentielles Mastre en
gnie chimique, Ecole National dingnieur de
Gabs, 2004.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Nejia H et al.,]
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Tableau 1. Influence du type de schage sur le rendement en HE

Type de schage Rendement (%)

Schage labri de la lumire 3.829

Schage lair libre (expos la lumire) 2.452

Schage au four 2.441

Tableau 2. Variation du rendement des huiles essentielles d'Eucalyptus salubris en fonction de lieu de rcolte

Rgion Rendement (%)

Gabes 2.94

Sfax 3.25

Tunis 4.625

Tableau 3. Variation des huiles essentielles d'Eucalyptus salubris en fonction des diffrents organes

Organe Fleurs (fraches) Tiges Feuilles Fleurs (sches)

Rendement (%) 1.98 0.6 4 2.44

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Tableau 4. Influence du cohobage sur la composition des huiles essentielles d'Eucalyptus salubris

Rendement(%)

sans cohobage avec cohobage

N Non
(2.04 %) (2.94 %)

1 Hexane 5.779 -

2 Butyl acetate 4.174 -

3 Tricyclne - 4.785

4 -Thujne 1.754 -

5 -pinne 3.318 3.565

6 1, 8-Cinole 22.455 27.055

7 Camphre 20.139 19.692

8 (E)-p-Menth-2-en-1-ol 5.237 1.974

9 Isobornol 0.902 -

10 Bornol 0.928 -

11 - Terpinol 0.808 -

12 Caryophyllene 2.827 2.560

13 Cedrol 0.634 -

14 Cis-piperitol 1.171 0.958

15 C15H24O 27.783 36.749

Total 97.909 97.833

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Tableau 5. Comparaison entre les diffrents procds

Hydrodistillation Entranement la vapeur Ultrasons

Phase organique Phase organique (3.42 %)

Nom du compos (4.625 %) (2.5 %)

-pinne 7 .059 - 9 .619

-Thujne - 8.568 -

-Phellandrne 2.537 0.801 8.84

Limonne - 26.031 -

1, 8-Cinole 77.109 36.180 31.897

(Z)-p-Menth-2-en-1-ol 5.462 _ 3.263

trans-piperitol 1.560 10.240

Fig. 1. Eucalyptus salubris en periode de floraison

Fig. 2. Influence du taux d'hydratation sur le rendement des HE d'Eucalyptus Salubris

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Fig. 3. Variation du rendement des huiles essentielles d'Eucalyptus salubris

en fonction du priode de rcolte

Fig. 4. Variation du rendement la cour du temps

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Chaira N. et al.,]
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Characterisation of Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Juices Obtained from

Common Varieties Grown in Tunisia

Nizar CHAIRA, Abdessalem MRABET, Hanen MTAOUA, Belgacem LACHIHEB and Ali FERCHICHI.
Laboratoire Aridologie et Cultures Oasiennes. Institut des Rgions Arides.
Route El- Jorf. Mdenine 4119. Tunisia.
Corresponding author. Tel: +216 75 633 005; Fax: +216 75 633 006; Email: chairaniz@yahoo.fr

Abstract :
In Tunisia, the progress of production of dates is accompanied by an important loss of common
dates (approximately 30 000 tons per year). The valorisation of these dates concerns especially the
biological transformation. The approach of technological transformation into jams, juice, frozen
and date syrup is not well studied. This approach seems to be interesting for the production of
under products with high value if considering their nutritional potentials (composition of sugars,
minerals, phenols and antioxidants). This work deals with this general context of valorisation of
common dates, in particular the dates of the oasis of Gabs, by determining their aptitude of
transformation into a juice of high nutritional value. Indeed, the technological ability of ten
common date cultivars to the transformation in juice has been tested. Thus, the products are
analyzed for their nutritional and therapeutic quality. The set of the results showed that the value
of Brix was raised and varied from 11.73B (Kenta juice) to 16.43B (Korkobbi juice). For the pH
and the total acidity, the results showed that these juices were of weak acidity. Only the reducing
sugars were present in all juices and the value of this parameter oscillated from 8.13 g/100ml
(Smiti juice) to 15.71 g/100ml (Korkobbi juice). For the bacteriological parameters, the values are
mostly cases which are distinctly lower than the tolerable maximum values. Finally, an interesting
antioxidant capacity has been observed in all juices due to the presence of the products of
Maillard. Therefore, the juices of common dates can be used as an end product in the human
nutrition or as a primary product in the agroalimentary industry.
Keywords: Oases, Date palm, valorisation, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity.

1-INTRODUCTION
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), which is
an essential element of the oases ecosystem of the
arid and semi arid regions, plays a very important
economic, social and ecological role for the peoples
of these regions (El Hadrami et al., 2005). In Tunisia,
it lays in the south of the parallel 34 25 that passes
approximately by the city of Gafsa. The Tunisian
palm groves are distributed into 3 categories of oasis;
the oases of mountain (Tamerza), the continental
oases (Djrid and Nefzawa) and the coastal oases
(Gabs). From a quantitative point of view, the
genetic phoenicicole Tunisian heritage accounts
about 3 400 000 palms, 2 560 000 of which (75.3%
of the total number) are in the regions of Djrid and
Nefzawa. In these two regions, there is 94.20% of the
total number of Deglet Nour cultivar (noble variety).
During the last years, the national and world
production of dates knew an important development
and it reached 100 000 tons per year for Tunisia
(FAOSTAT, 2005). The variety of Deglet Nour has
the highest sales value (about 60%). This progress of
production, unfortunately, is accompanied by an
important loss of secondary or common dates which
constitute an enormous quantity about 30 % of
the production (about 30 000 tons for Tunisia
and 2000 000 tons for the world). These dates,
generally thrown or incorporated in the animal food,
can be considered like a real economic loss. It is by
this selective orientation that we currently attend to a
progressive disappearance of the secondary cultivars
and therefore a genetic variability reduction. Among
the threatened cultivars are those of the coastline
oasis of Gabs that are the unique maritime oasis of
Maghreb. To fight against this ecological and
economic problem, several studies on the valorisation
of the common dates have been published. The works
are especially carried on the biologic transformation
while using the flesh of date as the main source of
carbon. The products gotten by the microbial
conversions are the citric acid, the lactic acid, the
acetic acid, the alcohol, the oxytetracycline and the
biomass (Roukas and Kotzekidou, 1997; Abou-
Zeid and Khoja, 1993; Nancib et al., 2001;
Barneveld, 1993). Other works studied the medicinal
valorisation of dates and their immunostimulant,
antitumour, antioxidant and transit gastrointestinal
powers are thus justified (Puri et al., 2000; Ishurd and
Kennedy, 2005; Mansouri et al., 2005; Al-Farsi et al.,
2007; Al-Qarawi et al., 2005). The present work
deals with the valorisation of common dates. The
tests of technological valorisation have been carried,
for the first time, on the dates of the coastline oasis of
Gabs. This oasis shelters more that 40 varieties
which are specific. In spite of its assets, it is

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confronted to constraints that hinder its development
and its valorisation. This is due to the plant material
(mediocre commercial quality), to a hostile environ-
ment (saltiness and pollution) and especially to the
urbanization.
During this work, ten cultivars of dates have been
used. The main objective is to test their technological
faculty. This faculty is assured by the transformation
of these dates into nutritional high-quality juice.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Chemical reagents
The analytical reagent grade acetonitrile was
obtained from Lab-Scan (Labscan Ltd, Ireland). The
sucrose standard was purchased from Fluka (Sigma
Aldrich, Switzerland). The Glucose, fructose
standards and the riboflavin were purchased from
Carlo Erba (Carlo Erba Reactifs, France). The
ethylenediamin etraacetic acid (EDTA) was from
Sigma (Sigma Chemical Co., USA). The nitro blue
tetrazolium chloride (Nitro BT) was from
Biochemica (AppliChem GmbH, Germany). The
water used in HPLC and sampling was prepared with
a Millipore Simplicity (Millipore S.A.S, France).
Material
Ten date fruit varieties (Smiti, Kenta, Bekrari,
Mermella, Garn ghzal, Nefzaoui, Baht, Korkobbi,
Bouhattam and Rotbi) were collected at tamr stage
from Gabs oasis (south of Tunisia) in October 2006.
Preparation of juices
The dates were first washed, drained and pitted. A
sample of 33 g of each variety cut into nubs was
placed in a spade where 100 ml of ultrapure water
was added (Youssif and Alghamdi, 1999) and then
the mixture was distributed in a bath during 90 min at
80C. The transformation of the dates into juice
follows the diagram presented in Fig. 1.
Analytical methods
Soluble solids
The levels of soluble solids, expressed as degree
Brix, were determined using a refractometer (model
10430, 0-30 Brix, Cambridge, USA).
pH
The pH values were measured with pH meter
(InoLab, Germany) after calibration with pH 4.0 and
7.0 standard buffers.
Titratable acidity
The total acidity, expressed as the quantity of
citric acid present in juice dates, was determined by
titration with 1N KOH adding phenolphthalein
indicator.
Acidity (mg/L) = 6.3 Vb
Vb: volume of KOH.
Sugar soluble contents
The reducing and non reducing sugars were
determined by the HPLC method. Separation was
carried out at room temperature on Eurospher NH2
column, 100 pore size, 7 m particle size, 250
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[Chaira N. et al.,]
mm 4.6 mm I.D (Knauer, Germany). Prior to use,
solvents and samples were filtered over a 0.45 m
membrane filter and solvents were also degazed for
15 min in an ultrasonic bath Cleaner Model SM 25E-
MT (Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Dambury,
USA). The mobile phase was acetonitrile and ultra-
pure water (80/20, v/v). The liquid Chromatography
was connected to RI Detector K-2301 from Knauer
(Germany). The flow-rate and the injection volume
during the experiment were 1.0 ml/min and 20 l,
respectively. The integrator was calibrated with
external standards consisting of glucose (2%),
fructose (2%) and sucrose (1%) solutions. Total
reducing sugars were obtained as the sum of glucose
and fructose values.
Microbiological analysis of juice
A dilution of 10-1 of each juice has been done
with the sterile water (with peptone).
Numbering of the yeast and moulds
The numeration was achieved on a petrifilm of
yeast and moulds. It was about a ready medium to
use that contains the nutritious elements, of
antibiotics and a gelling soluble agent in cold water.
Numbering of the coliforms
The test CC petrifilm for the numeration of the
coliforms contains a selective mixture of VRBL
(composed of biliary salts, of purple crystal and
neutral red), a gelling soluble agent in cold water and
an indicator of the tetrazolium facilitating reading.
The petrifilm was incubated at 37C during 24
Hours.
Numbering of the flora total aerobe
For the numeration of the flora total aerobe, we
choose a ready medium that contains the nutritious
elements PCA: a gelling soluble agent in cold water
and the tetrazoluim faciliting reading. The petrifilm
was incubated at 30C during 24 hours.
Superoxide radical (O2.) scavenging activity of
date juices
The method used by Yagi et al. (2002) for the
determination of the superoxide dismutase was
followed, with modification, in the riboflavin-light-
nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) system. Each 3 ml of
mixture contained 1M potassium of phosphate
buffer, 0.12 mM riboflavin, 1.5 mM NBT, 0.1M
EDTA 4 Na and 1 ml of sample solution. The
production of blue formazan was followed by
monitoring the increase of absorbance at 560 nm
after 10 min of illumination from fluorescent lamp.
The difference between the initial and the final
absorbance was used to determine the percentage of
inhibition of superoxide radicals.
Statistical analysis
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All analyses were performed three times and the
results are mean of the ten independent date juice
samples. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
performed to compare the sample analysis at 95%
confidence level.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Physicochemical parameters
Soluble solids
The value of Brix of different juices oscillated
(P<0.05) between 11,73B in Kenta to 16,43B in
Korkobbi juice (Table 1). These results were near to
those found in the noble date varieties. Indeed, the
works carried on Iraqi varieties showed that the value
of this parameter varied from 10.2 (Tai Al- et al.,
1998) to 23.87 B (Yousif et al., 1996). According to
these authors, the content in soluble solids is in
relation with the technique of extraction used. The
values of Brix in the prepared juices were generally
superior to those found in other juices of fruits. Rivas
et al. (2006), while working on the juice of carrot,
showed that the value of Brix doesn't exceed 10.4.
Some weaker values have been found in the lime
(9.82B) and the orange juice (11.1B) (Ziena, 2000;
Viera et al., 2007).
pH and total acidity
The results presented on Table 2 show that the
value of pH varied statistically (P<0.05) from 5.03 in
Garn ghzal juice to 6.06 in the juice of Kenta variety.
Yet, juices of least acidity have been found in
developed varieties in Oman (Al-Farsi et al., 2007).
Generally, these juices are not too acidic when being
compared to other juices of fruits. The value of pH
was 3.86 for the juice of carrot (Rivas et al., 2006),
2.60 for the lemon (Ziena, 2000), 3.09 for the grape,
3.63 for the orange (Cserhalmi et al., 2006) and 3.94
for the juice of blueberry (Potter et al., 2007). On the
other hand, the titrable acidity, valued as the quantity
of present citric acid in date juice, varied
significantly (P<0.05) from 0,114 to 0,191 g /100 ml
(Table 1). Indeed, these values were very weak in
relation to those observed in other juices as the juice
of carrot (6.26 g/100ml) (Rivas et al., 2006) or in
several juices of citrus fruits as the grape, the lemon,
the orange and the tangerine that have 11.91, 59.00,
8.21 and 7.15 g/100ml of citric acid, respectively
(Cserhalmi et al., 2006). Considering the observed
results, the addition of the citric acid as a
conservative and an inhibitory of the microbial
proliferation, seems to be necessary at the time of the
production of juices.
Soluble sugar Compositions
The concentrations in total sugars varied
distinctly from one juice to another. They varied
(P<0.05) from 8.13 g/100 ml in Smiti to 15.71 g/100
ml in Korkobbi juice (Table 1). Indeed, only the
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[Chaira N. et al.,]
reducing sugars were present in the prepared juices.
Fructose and glucose have approximately equal
concentrations in all juices. Concerning the works
carried on the date juices, comparable results (13.7 to
18.6 g/100 ml) were found by Al-Farsi et al. (2007).
In other juices, as the orange juice, the content in
total sugars didn't exceed 11.6 g/100 ml (Viera et al.,
2007). This content varied from 9.6 to 12.8 g/100 ml
in juices prepared from some varieties of apples (del
Campo et al. 2005). Chinnici et al. (2005), while
working on the juices of some fruits, showed that the
content in total sugars was of 13.5 g/100 ml in the
apricot, of 15.5 g/100 ml in the apple, of 14.3 g/100
ml in the pear and of 14.7 g/100 ml in the peach. This
content didn't exceed 10 g/100 ml in the juices
prepared from apple varieties developed in the
United States of America (Eisele and Drake, 2005).
The presence of the reducing sugars with interesting
concentrations, in juices prepared from different
coastal varieties, constitutes a profit for the human
health. These sugars are considered as the main
source of energy (Vandercook et al., 1979). These
deprived-sucrose juices are also of sugary taste,
according to Doty (1976), the present fructose in
food is 1.8 times more sugary than sucrose.
Bacteriological parameters
According to Jouve (1993), the flora of the
conserved plant products corresponds most often to
the microorganisms present at the natural state in the
fruit. Indeed, the juice of fruits is a food of great
importance for the human health. But, it can present,
on the other hand, a microbiological risk for the
consumer. The microbiological quality of the juices
of dates was presented by Table 2.
The total flora
The numbering of the total flora showed some
differences between the prepared juices. The number
of micro-organisms varied significantly (P<0.05)
between 20 in Baht variety to 268 UFC/ ml in the
juice of Garn ghzal variety (Table 2). These values
were distinctly lower to the acceptable peak value
fixed by the NF ISO 7954/1988 standard (3.105
UFC/ml). Pasteurisation can destroy all germs.
Numbering of the yeasts and moulds
NF ISO 7954/1988 standards (Indication of
ordering: V 08-022) required that the number of
yeasts and mildews must be lower than 500 UFC/ ml.
Indeed, on the set of the prepared juices, the number
of the yeasts and moulds varied from 1 to 43 UFC/
ml.
Numbering of the total and thermo resistant
coliformes
These are very widespread germs in the outside
environment: in soil, waters, notably the waters of
sewer where they contribute extensively to the
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organic putrefaction of the garbage of animal origin
because of their proteolytic activity. These are also
normal hosts of the intestine of the man and animals.
The thermotolerant coliformes are essentially of fecal
origin. They can be brought therefore because of an
insufficiency of washing of the hands. Only the
Escherichia O157 coli: H7 presents some toxicities.
An observation of Table 2 shows that the
contamination of juice by the total coliformes varied
from zero to 5. These results always remain standard
to NF ISO 7954/1988 (1000 UFC/ ml). Nevertheless,
the contamination by the thermoresistant coliformes
exceeded the boundary value (1 germ/ml) in the
juices of Baht, Korkobbi and Rotbi varieties. Thus, a
stage of pasteurization stays necessary.
Antioxidant efficiency
Fig. 2 shows the comparative data of superoxide
radical-scavenging activity of the different date
cultivars. Indeed, all juices were good scavengers
(more than 50% of free radical inhibition) and can be
considered like products to strong antioxidant
capacity. Highest activity (P<0.05) was found in
Garn ghzal, followed by the juices of Smiti,
Bouhattam, Baht, Nefzaoui, Korkobbi, Bekreri,
Rotbi, Kenta and the lowest activity was observed in
Mermella. Generally, the antioxidant efficiency in
food is assigned to the vitamin C, the vitamin E, the
betacarotene and the phenolic compounds (Al-Farsi
et al., 2007; Fain 2004; Ragaee et al., 2006). In our
case, however, the phenolic contents don't exceed 10
mg/100g (MF) in hydrophilic and hydrophobic
extracts quickly prepared from these date fruits
(Chaira et al., 2009) and the vitamins are not found in
dates that in weak quantities (Al-Shahib and
Marshall, 2003). Indeed, a reaction based on the
fixing of a free amino function on the carbonyl
function of one reducing sugar, takes birth in the
heated food. This reaction, known as nonenzymatic
browning reaction or also reaction of Maillard
(Franzke and Ivanisky, 1954; Wijewickreme and
Kitts, 1997) especially depends on the nature of
sugar, of the nature of the amino acid and the degree
of heating. Indeed, during this reaction stimulated by
the strong temperatures, only the reducing sugars can
intervene there and all amino acids can be hired, with
a particular reactivity of the lysine (Whitfield, 1992).
Its complex stages, drive to the formation of the
melanodines (products of Maillard) with higher
antioxidant activity (Franzke and Ivanisky, 1954;
Wijewickreme and Kitts, 1997; Ajandouz and
Puigserver, 1999). These products or natural
antioxidants can play preventive roles against some
illnesses as the inflammation, cardiovascular and the
cancers. In our case, this reaction can easily get
settled thanks to the strong contents in reducing
sugars observed in all juices and to the enough
elevated temperature employed at the time of
preparation of juices. In addition, the concentration
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :69-76
[Chaira N. et al.,]
of the lysine in the date is important enough and it is
2000 times more important than the one observed in
other fruits as the apple and the banana and 5000
times that the one of the orange (Al-Shahib and
Marshall, 2003). These different conditions permit
the realization of the reaction of Maillard and the
synthesis of the melanodines which can explain the
remarkable antioxidant activity observed in all juices.
4-CONCLUSION
The work that we undertook was about the
technological valorisation of common dates of the
Gabs oasis. Juices prepared from the different
cultivars are of high nutritional value. This
characteristic is justified by a wealth in reducing
sugars and a microbiological quality that respects the
norms of hygiene. A therapeutic characteristic
(antioxidant activity) can add itself to the nutritional
value of these juices. These products of common
dates can be directly used for the human nutrition or
as primary material, in the agroalimentary industry,
for the manufacture of under products (frost of dates
after addition of sucrose, pectin and citric acid or the
syrup of dates by clarification of juice and the
addition of sucrose). On the other hand, it can be
used, for the extraction of the products of Maillard
that confers to food of the interesting properties as
the colour, the aroma, the nutritional value and
certain stability during the conservation thanks to
their antioxidant activity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful to the Institut des Rgions
Arides de Mdenine for its financial support. The
authors gratefully acknowledge Mr. Foued Balti for
his suggestions.
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Al-Hilli M.A. 1998. Production of Aspergillus
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100(3): 895-903.
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of Reaction Conditions on the Oxidative
Behavior of Model Maillard Reaction Products.
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Moustafa, S.M. and Khalifa, T.I. 2002.
Antioxidant, free radical scavenging and anti-
inflammatory effects of aloesin derivatives in
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-Yousif, A.K., Alghamdi, A.S., Hamad, A. and
Mustafa, A.I. 1996. Processing and evaluation of
a date juice-milk drink. Egypt. J. Dairy Sci. 24:
277-288.
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of some date cultivars for jelly macking, J. Food.
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Seedless lime (Citrus latifolia Tan) juice during
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Table1. Composition of varietals date juices

Cultivar Brix pH Acidity Glucose Fructose Soluble Sugars

(g/100 ml ) (g/100 ml) (g/100 ml) Totals (g/100 mLl
Smiti 12,067g 5,733b 0,134 4,00g 4,13l 8,13l
Kenta 11,733k 6,067a 0,441 4,83e 4,86k 9,70k
Bekreri 12,233f 5,433d 0,154 4,59f 5,16g 9,75g
Mermella 14,767b 6,067a 0,114 7,38a 7,37b 14,75b
Garn ghzal 14,067c 5,033e 0,189 5,18d 5,66e 10,84
Nefzaoui 14,033c 5,600c 0,146 6,79b 7,16c 13,96c
Baht 13,933c 5,433d 0,155 5,63c 5,98d 11,61d
Korkobbi 16,433a 5,433d 0,162 7,56a 8,15a 15,71a
Bouhattam 13,167d 5,767b 0,132 5,20d 5,68e 10,88e
Rotbi 12,967e 5,067e 0,191 5,27d 5,29f 10,56f

Values appended by a different letter are significantly different for P<0.05.

Table 2. Microbiologic composition of varietals date juices (ufc/ml)

Cultivar Flora Yeast Moulds Total Thermo resistant
total Coliformes coliformes
Smiti 168,67b 3,67c 0,67b 0.67c 0,00c
c d b
Bekreri 133,67 1,00 0,00 0.00c 0,00c
d d b
Kenta 63,00 1,00 0,00 0.00c 0,00c
a b b
Mermella 268,33 6,67 0,67 5.33a 0,00c
d d a
Garn ghzal 57,67 0,00 42,67 3.67b 0,00c
d d b
Nefzaoui 53,33 1,33 1,33 4.00b 0,00c
e c b
Baht 20,00 4,33 1,00 1.00c 1,67b
de a b
Korkobbi 41,33 12,33 0,00 0.67c 9,33a
e c b
Bouhattam 20,67 3,67 0,67 0.00c 0,00c
d c b
Rotbi 51,33 3,33 1,67 0.00c 1,33b

Values appended by a different letter are significantly different for P<0.05.

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Figures

Receipt and sorting of dates

Washing

Egouttage

Drainage

Hand-pitted dates

Carving

Addition of water Cooking

Filtration Filtrate

Centrifugation
Pellet

Cooling / storage a 4C

Fig. 1. Diagram of date juices production.

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90
80
70
% Inhibition

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ko ht
e r ri
a

i
i
iti

tb
ui

B o ob b
Ne a l
ar ll a

m
e
nt

Ba
Sm

ao
kr

Ro
z

ta
e
Ke

gh
Be

rk
m

at
fz

uh
n
M
G

Cultiv ars

Fig. 2- Superoxide radical-scavenging activity of varietal date juices.

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Vijay B. et al.,]
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Genetics of Yield, Horticultural Traits and Downy Mildew Resistance in

Bittergourd (Momordica charantia l.)
Vijay Bahadur and D.B. Singh
Dept of Horticulture, AAI-DU, Allahabad -211007
B.G. Suresh
Associate Professor, Dept of Genetic and Plant Breeding, AAI-DU, Allahabad
D. Ram
Senior Scientist, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi

Abstract :
The investigation was undertaken in a diallel cross involving 8 parental lines (VRBT-29,
VRBT-39, DVGTG-1, IC-50524A, Long Green, VRBT-50, VRBT-86 & VRBTG-3), one standard
check (Kalyanpur Baramasi) and 28 F1s. The 37 genotypes were evaluated in randomized block
design with three replications during 2004-2006 at the Research Farm of Indian Institute of
Vegetable Research, Varanasi, India. Observations were recorded on 14 horticultural traits. The
highest PCV, GCV, heritability, genetic advance and genetic advance as percent of mean were
recorded for downy mildew resistance i.e. 41.07, 39.86, 94.20%, 19.52% and 79.69%,
respectively. The parent DVBTG-1 exhibited significant gca effects in desirable direction for days
to 50% germination (-0.756), length of fruits (0.683), downy mildew resistance (-5.598) and fruit
yield (0.090). On the basis of sca effects the best specific combinations were DVBTG-1 X Long
Green for fruit yield (0.29), VRBT-50 X VRBT-86 for disease resistance (-7.17). VRBT-29 X
VRBT-39 for number of fruits (5.06), VRBT-86 X VRBTG-3 for weight of fruits (14.88) and
Long Green X VRBT-50 for diameter of fruits (1.38). The highest PCV, GCV, heritability, genetic
advance and genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for downy mildew resistance i.e.
41.07, 39.86, 94.20%, 19.52% and 79.69%, respectively.
Among genetic component, additive effect (D) and Dominance component (H1 & H2) were
found significant for almost all the traits. Mean degree of dominance was more that unity for the
entire traits showing presence of over dominance. Proportion of dominant genes in the parents was
always more than unity (except first male flower emergence) expressing presence of excess of
dominant genes in the parents. The values of H2/4H1 (proportion of genes with +/- effect in
parent) were less than 0.25, which showed that the alleles of these characters were asymmetrically
distributed in parents. The value of h2/H2 was usually lower than unity for most of the characters,
indicating presence of at least one block of dominant genes in the parents.
Keywords: Additive effect, Dominance, Genetic components, GCA, SCA, GCV, Heritability,
PCV, Resistance,

1-INTRODUCTION gynecological disorders. The leaf extract is

Bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.), which is
known as bitter melon, karela or balsam pear is one
of the most important cucurbits grown extensively in
India. A substance with clinical properties of insulin
has been isolated from bittergourd fruits (Baldwa et.
al, 1977). Bittergourd is nutritionally and medicinally
very rich vegetable which contains carbohydrate
4.2 %, protein 1.6 g, fat 0.2g, - carotene 126
mg, vitamin C 88 mg, calcium 20 mg, iron 1.8
mg and phosphorus 55 mg per 100 g of fruits
(Jagdish Singh et al., 2001). The fruits of M.
charantia (2n=22) are bitter, but the immature ones
are widely used as vegetables. The fruits, leaves and
roots have several beneficial medicinal uses, most
notably in regulating diabetes and used as a cardio
tonic. The fruits are also used as a stomachic,
carminative and antipyretic agent and in treatment of
rheumatism, gout and diseases of liver and spleen.
The roots are used to treat ophthalmic and
administered in bilious infections and as vermifuge.
The alkaloid cucurbitacin is reported to be purgative
(Belklin and Fitzgerald, 1955) and pharmacodynamic
(Ferguson, 1955) and antineoplastic (Faust et al.,
1958) in properties.
Downy mildew in bittergourd is caused by
Pseudoperonospora cubensis. The incidence of
downy mildew and percentage of crop loss varies
from 25 to 70 that too depend upon variety and
location. In Uttar Pradesh agro-climatic conditions its
intensity is more than 40%. Phookan and Gogoi
(1995) have reported heavy damage of bittergourd
(more than 60%) due to downy mildew in Assam.
The early symptoms on leaves resemble those of
mosaic mottling but shortly well defined patches
under the lower surface of the leaves develops.
Islands of darker green separate the pale green areas.
Some times angular, yellow colored and often
restricted by the veins on the upper surface can be

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seen. On the lower side of these spots a purplish
downy growth appears in moist weather. The entire
leaf dies quickly. Usually, the central leaves are
attacked first and are followed by other leaves until
entire plant is wilted or weakened. Young leaves are
less susceptible than older ones. Infected vines bear
few small fruits with poor taste.
Resistance is an inherited attribute of a host that
reduces the incidence of pathogens. The resistance
may be high, intermediate, or low. Type of resistance
may be based on the: (1) mode of inheritance, e.g.,
monogenic, oligogenic and polygenic etc, (2) based
on the growth stage of the host, e.g., seedling
resistance and adult resistance etc. and (3) based on
epidemiological terms, i.e. vertical and horizontal
resistance. The genetics of resistance help in the
formulation of the breeding methods. In India,
sufficient attention has not been given to the breeding
and genetic aspects to evolve resistant varieties
against insects, pests and diseases. Among diseases
the downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) is
the most vulnerable disease in the country. Hence,
this research study was taken up to screen out sources
of resistance and through hybridization develop new
hybrids resistant to downy mildew.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
The investigation was conducted over four
seasons during 2004-06 (Kharif 2004, Kharif 2005,
summer 2006, Kharif 2006) at Experimental
Research Farm, Indian Institute of Vegetable
Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The
experimental farm is situated at 25.10oN latitude and
82.52oE longitude at an altitude of 123.23 m above
mean sea level. The experimental material for the
present study consisted of 50 diverse genotypes of
bitter gourd, which were selected from genetic stock
maintained at Crop Improvement Division of Indian
Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi. All the
genotypes were sown for screening against downy
mildew under natural epiphytotics and evaluated for
different horticultural traits. Eight parents were
selected on the basis of their performance and
resistance to downy mildew. Selected parental lines
were grown under natural field conditions and
crosses were made following half diallel mating
design to generate F1 hybrids. The experiment was
laid out in Randomized Block Design with three
replications.
The observation for fourteen important
horticultural traits and disease resistance was
recorded on five randomly selected plants. The
observations were recorded on Days to 50 %
germination, days to first male flower anthesis, days
to first female flower anthesis, node to first male
flower emergence, node to first female flower
emergence, male: Female ratio, number of fruits per
plants, diameter of fruits (cm), length of fruits (cm),
days to edible green fruit harvesting, days to
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :55-66
[Vijay B. et al.,]
maturity, weight of fruits (g), disease resistance
against downy mildew and yield per plant (kg).
Based on the percent disease incidence and percent
disease severity, the coefficient of infection (CI) was
calculated according to Datar and Mayee (1981).
Analysis of variance was calculated according to
randomized block design (Panse and Suklhatme,
1969). Heritability in broad sense (Hb) was estimated
as the ratio of genotypic variance to the phenotypic
variance (Allard, 1960). Genetic advance was
calculated by the method advocated by Johnson et al.
(1955). Combining ability analysis was carried out
according to Model 1 and Methods 2 of Griffing
(1956). The genetic components for F1s were
estimated following procedure given by Hayman
(1954).
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Combining Ability Analysis
The gca and sca mean squares (Analysis of
Variance) calculated form eight parental lines and
their 28 F1 hybrid by Griftings method 2 model I,
are presented in Table 1. It is clear from the table
that the gca and sca mean squares were highly
significant for all traits except node to first male
flower emergence, node number to first female
flower emergence and diameter of fruits.
Significance of gca and sca mean squares testifies
that there is need to proceed further for breeding
program.
1. Estimates of gca effects of parents. Estimates of
gca effects of individual parents are given in Table 2.
For days to maturity the significantly highest positive
gca effect was expressed by the parent VRBT-29
(3.053) followed by Long Green (1.090) and both
were at par with each other. VRBT-29 also had
highest significant positive gca effect for days to first
female flower anthesis i.e. 1.509 followed by Long
Green with gca effect of 0.821. For male to female
ratio two parents VRBTG-3 and Long Green had
significant gca effects i.e. 1.898 and 0.938,
respectively. For number of fruits per plant, the
highest and the significant gca effects were noticed
with VRBT-29 and VRBT-39 i.e. 1.255 and 0.835,
respectively. None of the parents showed significant
gca effect for diameter of fruits. Notwithstanding, the
parent DVBTG-1 had highest gca effect of 0.185.
There were two parents namely VRBT-29 and
DVBTG-1, which had significant and highest gca
effects of 1.263 and 0.683, respectively for length of
fruits. The only one parent VRBTG-3 expressed
the highest positive significant gca effect (1.783) for
days to edible green fruit harvesting. For days to
maturity three parents namely Long Green, VRBT-86
and VRBTG-3 had positive significant gca effects i.e.
1.245, 1.292 and 1.128, respectively. Significantly
highest positive gca effect (5.951) was shown by
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SIPAM 2009
Long Green for weight of fruits followed by
DVBTG-1 (2.774). For downy mildew resistance
five parents had negative and three parents had
positive gca effects. The significant positive gca
effects of 8.595, 7.069 and 2.697 were expressed by
VRBT-86, VRBT-50 and VRBTG-3, respectively.
For fruit yield the highest significant and positive
effect was obtained in DVBTG-1 i.e. 0.090.
2. Estimates of sca effects in F1 hybrids. The
significant negative and positive sca effects were
expressed by various F1 hybrids as shown in Table 3.
Among agro-economic traits for number of fruits,
two hybrids showed significant positive sca effects
i.e. VRBT-29 X VRBT-39 (5.06) and VRBT-29 x
Long Green (4.66). For diameter of fruits none of the
hybrids showed significant sca effects. For length of
fruits, four hybrids showed significant positive sca
effects i.e. VRBT-29 x VRBT-39 (3.65), VRBT-29 x
DVBTG-1 (4.70), VRBT-29 x VRBT-50 (2.42), IC-
50524A X Long Green (5.82). Out of 28 F1s, 8
hybrids had significant sca effects for days to edible
green fruit harvesting out of which five hybrids
namely VRBT-50 x VRBT-86 (3.10), IC- 50524A x
VRBTG-3 (3.00), DVBTG-1 x VRBTG-3 (4.52),
VRBT-39 x Long Green (3.31) and VRBT-29 x
DVBTG-1 (4.58) were found with significant
positive sca effects. Seven hybrids showing
significant and positive sca effects for weight of fruit
in increasing order were VRBT-39 X IC- 50524A
(4.43) VRBT-29 X IC- 50524A (7.33), DVBTG-1 X
IC-50524A (7.50), IC-50524A X VRBT-50 (10.03),
DVBTG-1 X VRBT-50 (11.59), Long Green X
VRBT 86 (13.41) and VRBT-86 X VRBTG-3
(14.88).
For downy mildew resistance 10 hybrids out of
28 hybrids expressed significant sca effects. The
increasing order of six significant positive sca effects
was VRBT-39 X VRBTG-3 (4.32), VRBT-29 X
VRBTG-3 (4.53), IC- 50524A X VRBT-50 (11.66),
IC-50524A X VRBT-86 (12.13), Long Green X
VRBT-50 (12.89), remaining four sca effects with
significant and negative values were DVBTG-1 X
IC-50524A (-4.07), DVBTG-1 X Long Green (-
4.10), VRBT-29 X Long Green (-4.15) and VRBT-
50 X VRBT-86 (-7.17). Among 28 hybrids, only five
hybrids had significant sca effects for fruit yield per
plants i.e. Long Green X VRBT-50 (0.82), DVBTG-
1 X Long Green (0.29), VRBT-39 X VRBT-86
(0.17) and DVBTG-1 X IC-50524A (0.14).
The concept of combining ability as a measure of
gene action was given by Sprague and Tatum (1942).
The parents differ in combining ability and the use of
good general combiners is expected to give useful
segregants. Similarly, the superior cross combination
can be discriminated with respect to sca effects.
Combining ability is one of the powerful tools
available which gives the estimates of mean squares
due to gca and sca, which help in selecting desirable
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :55-66
[Vijay B. et al.,]
parents and crosses for further exploitation. The
mean squares due to general and specific combining
ability effects were highly significant for both all the
characters except node to first male flower
emergence, node number to first female flower
emergence and diameter of fruits, indicating that both
additive and non-additive genetic variances were
involved in determining these characters. Similar
results have been reported by Mishra et al. (1994)
and Khattra et al. (1994). Khattra et al. (1994) had
also reported that the gca effects were prominent
over the sca effects in bitter gourd. In the present
investigation for most of the traits per se
performance of the parents gave a direct reflection of
their respective gca effects i.e. the parents showing
highest gca effect for a particular character were also
observed to be good performer with respect to that
character. The results are in conformity with the
findings of Sivakami et al. (1987) in bottle gourd,
Munshi and Sirohi (1994) & Tewari (2000) in bitter
gourd and Moon et al. (2002) in muskmelon.
Genetic Parameters
The extent of genetic variability, heritability and
genetic advance and genetic advance as percent of
mean for 14 traits of bittergourd are presented in
Table 4. The highest genotypic variance was noticed
for downy mildew resistance i.e. 95.28 followed by
58.52 % for weight of fruits. The lowest genotypic
variances were recorded for fruit yield and node
number to first male flower emergence i.e. 0.011 and
0.028, respectively. Similarly, highest phenotypic
variance was noted for downy mildew resistance
(101.145) followed by 85.20 for weight of fruits per
plant. The minimum phenotypic variances were
found for fruit yield (0.016). The highest values of
GCV and PCV were noticed for downy mildew
resistance i.e.41.07 % and 39.86 %, respectively.
PCV was always higher than GCV, which implies
that there was influence of environmental factors.
Although GCV helps to measure the genetic
variability in a character, it is not enough to permit
partition the heritable variation. Burton (1952)
suggested that GCV together with heritability
estimates would give the best result in terms of
genetic advance to be expected from selection. The
magnitude of heritability in broad sense was high for
downy mildew resistance, moderately high for
weight of fruits, male to female ratio, days to first
male flower anthesis, days to female flower anthesis
and fruit yield. Moderate heritability was obtained
for days to 50% germination and number of fruit per
plant. The remaining trait had low heritability. This
depicts that most of the characters were influenced
by environmental variation which necessitates to go
for association of genetic advance.
The highest heritability (94.20 %) was associated
with downy mildew resistance followed by days to
male flower anthesis (72.50%), weight of fruits
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SIPAM 2009
(64.70%) and fruit yield per plant (67.00%).
Estimates of heritability in broad sense in the present
investigation have been classified as suggested by
Robinson (1966) in four categories i.e. high
heritability above 76%, moderately high heritability
between 51-75%, moderate heritability between 26 -
50 %, and low heritability below 25%. The low
heritability was observed for node to first male
flower emergence (2.70%) and length of fruits
(2.45%). Mangal et al. (1981) and Suribabu et al.
(1986) also reported high heritability for weight of
fruits. High heritability coupled with high genetic
advance offers the most effective criteria for
selection (Johnson et al., 1955), since this enables
assessment of the nature of gene action. In the
present investigation genetic advance was also
categorized into four grades i.e. high (> 61%),
moderately high (41-60%), moderate (21-40%) and
low (<20%). Genetic advance ranged from 0.06 to
19.52 %.The highest value being with downy mildew
resistance (19.52%). The genetic advance as percent
of mean (genetic gain) varied from 0.85 to 79.69.
The high estimates of genetic gain were obtained for
male to female ratio (24.54), fruit yield (21.37),
length of fruits (20.27), number of fruits per plant
(17.92), weight of fruits (17.35) and days to first
male flower anthesis (16.61).
High estimates of genetic advance as percent of
mean were obtained for downy mildew resistance.
High heritability estimates coupled with high
expected genetic advance as percent of mean was
obtained only for downy mildew resistance, which
indicates that the heritability for this character might
be due to additive gene effect. This trait could be
considered as reliable selection index for resistance
as also suggested by Gopalkrishnan et al. (1984) and
Sreelathakumari and Rajamony (2002) in chilli. High
GCV and heritability estimates supplemented with
greater genetic advance (genetic gain) are also
indicative of additive gene effects conditioning the
inheritance of such traits (Narayan et al., 1996) and
these characters possess greater value for efficient
selection.
Genetic Components of Variation
Genetic components of variation for various
horticultural traits of bittergourd in F 1
generation are presented in Table 5. From the
table it is clear that for days to 50%
germination the positive value of F indicates an
excess of dominant alleles in the parent for this
trait. Mean degree of dominance over all loci
estimated was found to be greater than unity
(1.362) suggesting presence of over dominance.
The value of H 2 /4H 1 was found 0.224 which is
close to its maximum theoretical value 0.25
which arises when u= v= 0.50 at all loci. Thus,
an equal number of negative and positive
alleles for this character were present in the
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :55-66
[Vijay B. et al.,]
parent. The ratio of dominant and recessive
alleles pooled over the parents was 1.880,
which was more than one and referred to excess
of dominant alleles in the parents.
The important horticultural trait, number of
fruits had positive and significant value of F
(5.652) showing excess of dominant alleles in
the parents. For diameter of fruits none of
genetic components was fond significant.
However, dominance components (H 1 & H 2 )
were higher than D value showing presence of
non-addition gene action. For length of fruits,
the additive gene effect (D) and dominance
components (H 1 & H 2 ) were found significant.
Positive F value shows presence of dominant
alleles in the parents. Mean degree of
dominance (3.477) showed over dominance.
For weight of fruits also highly significant
values were obtained for D (56.949), F
(48.551), H 1 (223.149) and H 2 (186.661).
Positive value of F indicated excess of
dominant alleles in the parents. Higher values
of H 1 and H 2 indicated presence of non-additive
gene action.
For dowry mildew resistance, the genetic
components of variation like D (74.881), F
(29.391), H 1 (177.117) and H 2 (135.043) were
found to be highly significant. Higher values of
H 1 and H 2 over D, suggested presence of non-
additive gene action. Positive and significant F
estimate indicated excess of dominant alleles in
the parents. Over dominance was also observed
(H 2 /D) 0.5 =1.58. Proportion of genes with
positive and negative effects (0.191) in parents
suggested asymmetrical and unequal
distribution of dominant alleles at the loci.
Proportion of dominant genes in the parents
was more than unity, showing preponderance of
excess dominant alleles. Presence of few
number of gene groups was also observed
(0.627) for this traits, which govern dominance
in the parents. Heritability was found to be
very high (84.617%) and significant.
For fruit yield none of the genetic
components was significant. Nevertheless,
higher values of H 1 (0.046) and H 2 (0.037) over
D (0.009) suggested that there was presence of
non-additive gene action. Positive F value
indicated presence of dominant alleles in the
parents. There was over dominance (2.217) for
this trait.
Estimates of genetic components show that the
additive genetic variance (D) was significant for all
the traits except days to 50 % germination, node to
first male flower emergence, number of fruits per
plant, diameter of fruits and fruit yield. Dominance
genetic variances (H1 & H2) were significant for most
of the characters. Dominance genetic variances were
higher than the additive genetic variances for all the
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SIPAM 2009
traits indicating presence of non-additive gene action
in these characters. Highly significant value of D, H1
and H2 for most of the characters indicated the
presence of both additive and non-additive gene
action in the expression of these characters as also
corroborated by Mishra et al.(1994) in bittergourd.
The average degree of dominance (H/D)0.5 was
higher than 1.0 for all the characters denoting
presence of dominance. Positive F value (the mean
of Fr over the arrays) for all the characters indicated
that dominant alleles were more frequent than
recessive alleles, which was also confirmed by the
proportion of dominant and recessive genes in the
parents having values more than 1.0. This is in
agreement with the finding of Srivastava and Nath
(1983) in bittergourd. The proportion of genes with
positive and negative effects (H2/4H1) in the parents
was less than 0.25 for all the characters which was
also confirmed by H1 H2 which is not equal to zero,
denoting asymmetry at loci showing dominance,
which was in agreement with findings of Mishra et
al. (1998), Tewari (2000) and Sirohi and Choudhury
(1986) in bittergourd. Similar results were also
reported by Sirohi et al. (1987) in bottle gourd and
pumpkin. The ratio of H2/H2 (number of gene
groups) is a measure of number of effective
factor/block of dominant genes, which was rather
low, but dominance being present. It is to be
accepted that at least one group of genes is
responsible for these characters. However, for days
to first female flower anthesis, male to female ratio,
number of fruits per plant and days to maturity the
values were 1.213, 1.316, 1.671 and 2.299,
respectively, suggesting involvement of large number
of block of dominant genes.
4-CONCLUSION
The results of the present investigation conclude
that out of 28 hybrids developed through diallel
crosses and evaluated for various horticultural traits
and downy mildew resistance, the hybrid (DVBTG-1
X Long Green) was found to be with the highest
yield (1.20 kg/plant) and was moderately resistant to
the disease. The hybrid recorded 49.38 % yield
superiority over mid parent, 33.33 % over better
parent and 65.90 % over check (Kalyanpur
Baramasi.). The dominant genes governed almost all
the traits of bittergourd.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge Prof (Dr.)
R. B. Lal, Vice Chancellor, Allahabad Agricultural
Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad for signing
MOU with Indian Institute Vegetable Research,
Varanasi for conducting high level research trails.
Authors are thankful to Dr. Mathura Rai, Director,
Indian Institute Vegetable Research for providing
necessary facilities and technical expertise to
accomplish this Ph. D. research work.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :55-66
[Vijay B. et al.,]
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John Wiley and Sons. Inc. Pub, New York.
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Indian Phytopath. 34:191-195
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Antineoplastic action of chemical fraction of the
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of an extract of the roots of cucurbits. J. Amer.
Pharm. Assoc 44:440.
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Peter, K.V. 1984. Studies on yield attributes of
chilli. Indian Cocoa Arecanut Spices J. 8: 72-
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-Griffing, B. 1956. Concept of general and specific
combining ability in relation to diallel crossing
system. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 9: 463-493.
-Hayman 1954. The theory and analysis of diallel
crosses. Genetics. 39:789-809
-Jagdish Singh, Kalloo, G. and Singh, K.P. 2001.
Vegetable Crops: Nutritional Security, p. 47.
-Johnson, H. W., Robinson, H. E. and Comstock,
R.E. 1955. Estimates of genetic and
environmental variability in soybean. Agron. J.
47:314-318.
-Khattra, A.S., Singh, N.J. and Thakur, J.C.
1994.Studies on combining ability in
bittergourd. Veg. Sci. 21: 158-162.
-Mangal, J. L., Dixit, J., Pandita, M.L. and Sindhu,
A. S. 1981. Genetic variability and correlation
studies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia
L). India J Hort. 38:94-99
-Mishra, H.N., Mishra, R.S., Mishra, S.N. and Parhi,
G. 1994. Heterosis and combining ability in
bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Indian J.
Agric. Sci. 64: 310-313.
-Moon, S.S., Verma,V.K. and Munshi, A.D. 2002.
Gene action of quality traits in muskmelon.
Veg. Sci. 29 (2): 134:136.
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-Munshi, A.D. and Sirohi, P.S. 1994. Combining
ability estimates in bitter gourd (Momordica
charantia L.). Veg. Sci. 21: 132-136.
-Narayan Singh, S.P.; Sharma, D.K. and Rastogi,
K.B. 1996. Genetic variability and selection
parameters in bottle gourd. Indian J. Hort.
53:53-58.
-Panse,V.G. and Sukhatme, P.V. 1967. Statistical
methods for Agricultural Workers. IInd Ed.
ICAR, New Delhi.
-Phookan, A.K. and Gogoi, R. 1995. Occurrence of
downy mildew on bitter gourd in Assam. Indian
J. Myco and Pl. Pathology 25:3,331
-Robinson, H.F. 1966. Quantitative genetics in
relation to breeding on the centennial of
mendelism. India J. Genet. 26:171-187
-Sirohi, P.S. and Choudhury, B. 1986. Combining
ability in bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.).
Veg. Sci. 4: 107-115.
-Sirohi, P.S.; Sivakami, N. and Choudhury, B. 1987.
Studies on exploitation of hybrid vigour in
bottle gourd. Veg. Sci. 14:37-41.
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bittergourd (Momordica charantia L.).Veg. Sci.
5 (1): 15-22.
-Sivakami, N., Sirohi, P.S. and Choudhury, B. 1987.
Studies on exploitation of hybrid vigour in
bottle gourd. Veg. Sci. 14:37-41
-Suribabu, B. Reddy, E. and Ras, M.R. 1986.
Inheritance of certain quantitative characters in
bitter gourd. S. Indian Hort., 34 (6): 380-386.
-Sprague, G.F. and Tatum, L.A. 1942. General versus
specific combining ability in single cross of
corn. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. 34: 923-932.
-Sreeelathakumari, I. and Rajamony, L, 2002.
Variability, heritability and correlation studies
in chilli (Capsicum spp.) under shade. India J.
Hort. 59:77-83
-Srivastava, V.K. and Nath, P. 1983. Studies on
combining ability in bittergourd (Momordica
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-Tewari, D. 2000. Studies on heterosis, gene action
and protein profile in bittergourd. Thesis Ph.D.,
G.B.P.U.A. & T., Pantnagar, pp.177-185.
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Table 1. Analysis of variance of combining ability for various agro-economic traits and downy mildew
resistance in bittergourd in Parents and F1 hybrids.

Source of Degree of Meansquare

Variance Freedom
Days to 50 % Days to first Days to first Node to first Node to first Male to
germination male flower female flower male flower female flower Female ratio
anthesis anthesis emergence emergence

1 2 3 4 5 6

GCA 7 2.97** 27.53** 12.16** 0.24 1.70* 16.72**

SCA 28 1.41* 7.64** 6.43** 0.36 0.85 10.36**
Error 70 0.81 1.326 1.796 0.36 0.64 2.28
Mean squares

Source Degree
of of Numbers Diameter Length Days to Days to Weight of Disease Vine Fruit
Variance Freedom of fruits of fruits of fruits green fruit maturity Fruits resistance Length yield
per (cm) (cm) harvesting (g) (downy (m) (Kg/plant)
plants mildew) (kg/pl)

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

GCA 7 6.39** 0.11 4.89** 18.66** 29.42** 110.14** 314.63** 0.02 0.017**
SCA 28 5.51** 0.27 5.49** 6.58 10.03** 56.56** 41.77** 0.11* 0.011**
Error 70 1.42 0.19 1.103 4.86 3.61 8.96 1.86 0.064 0.002

*Significant at 0.05 level of probability

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0
0

0
.0

0
2
0

0
0

0
-

-
.

.
0
0

0
2

0
1
.

62
 Table 2. Estimates of General combining ability effects of parents for various agro-economic traits of bittergourd.
Days to Days to Node to Node to Male to No. Dia. of fruits Length of Days to Days to Wt. Downy Fruit r
Days to first first first male First Female of fruits (cm) fruits green fruit matu- Of fruits Mildew Yield
50% male female flower female ratio per (cm harves rity (g) resis- In
Germi- flower flower emer- flower plants ting tance Kg/pl
Parents anthesis anthesis gence emergence
nation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1.VRBT-29 -0.289 3.053** 1.509** -0.108 -0.442 -2.462** 1.255** 0.081 1.263** -1.447* -2.725** -3.389** -4.820**

2.VRBT-39 0.737** 0.413 -0.469 -0.068 0.344 -0.218 0.835** -0.039 -0.100 -2.267** -2.648** -3.989** -5.461**
SIPAM 2009

3.DVBTG-1 -0.756** 0.507 0.441 0.178 0.551* -0.695 -0.098 0.185 0.683** 0.996 1.045 2.774** -5.698**
Actes du sminaire international

4.IC-50524A -0.426 -1.483** 0.401 0.178 0.224 0.715 0.212 -0.065 -0.023 0.186 0.668 -1.333 -0.575
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales

5.Long Green 0.148 1.090** 0.821** 0.012 -0.113 0.938** 0.232 -0.045 -0.150 -0.574 1.245* 5.951** -1.808**

6.VRBT-50 0.627** -0.557 -0.156 -0.102 -0.212 0.138 -1.095** -0.099 -0.403 0.203 -0.005 -0.083 7.069**

0.357 -0.720** 0.346 -0.235 -0.315 -0.655 0.078 -1.060** 1.120 1.292* 1.584 8.595**
-0.626**
7.VRBT-86

-0.399 -2.330** -2.202** 0.145 0.274 1.898** 0.685 -0.095 -0.210 1.783** 1.128* -1.516 2.697**
8.VRBTG-3

SE(gi) 0.267 0.340 0.396 0.177 0.236 0.446 0.363 0.129 0.310 0.651 0.561 0.885 0.403

0.531 0.679 0.790 0.354 0.471 0.890 0.706 0.257 0.619 1.300 1.120 1.766 0.805
CD
[Vijay B. et al.,]

SE(gi-gj) 0.403 0.515 0.599 0.268 0.357 0.675 0.534 0.195 0.469 0.985 0.849 1.338 0.610

CD 0.803 1.026 1.195 0.535 0.712 1.346 1.065 1.065 0.936 1.965 1.693 1.670 1.218
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Vijay B. et al.,]
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Table 3. Estimates of Specific combining ability effects of F1 hybrids for various agro-economic traits in
bittergourd.
Days to Days to
Node to first Node to first
first male first female Male to Female No. of fruits per
Parents male flower female flower
flower flower ratio plants
emergence Emergence
anthesis anthesis
VRBT-29 X VRBT-39 -3.49* -0.67 0.26 -0.23 0.97 5.06*
VRBT-29 X DVBTG-1 3.95* 3.95* -0.39 -0.87 2.78 0.32
VRBT-29 X IC-50524A 3.21* 1.23 -0.72 1.23* -3.63* 1.35
VRBT-29 X Long Green 4.27* 3.94* 0.78 0.03 -4.18* 4.66*
VRBT-29 X VRBT-50 3.71* 0.15 0.96* -1.34 -1.65 0.05
VRBT-29 X VRBT-86 1.08 2.44 -0.44 0.08 3.40 -2.45*
VRBT-29 X VRBTG-3 -3.14 -1.37 0.31 1.18 0.52 -0.26
VRBT-39 X DVBTG-1 -0.14 1.30 0.57 1.11 1.54 -0.56
VRBT-39 X IC-50524A -0.65 -2.76 -0.43 0.94 -0.04 -2.23
VRBT-39 X Long Green -1.39 -0.35 -0.26 1.11 0.24 -2.25
VRBT-39 X VRBT-50 -0.41 -1.44 -0.15 0.54 1.71 -0.59
VRBT-39 X VRBT-86 -1.42 -1.38 -0.02 1.29* 0.16 -0.37
VRBT-39 X VRBTG-3 0.47 0.51 -0.40 -0.94 0.61 -0.00
DVBTG-1 X IC-50524A -0.91 -3.74* -0.01 -0.10 -0.06 -1.30
DVBTG-1 X Long Green -3.49* -2.93 -0.51 0.24 0.45 -0.32
DVBTG-1 X VRBT-50 -2.17 -1.01 -0.73 0.00 0.85 0.00
DVBTG-1 X VRBT-86 -2.68 -1.83 -0.26 0.08 -5.03* -1.43
DVBTG-1 X VRBTG-3 -1.09 1.70 -0.64 -0.15 -1.91 -1.40
IC-50524A X Long Green -2.49 -1.28 0.16 -0.10 3.64* -1.28
IC-50524A X VRBT-50 -0.52 -0.31 -0.06 -0.34 4.44* 0.03
IC-50524A X VRBT-86 -0.35 -0.12 0.40 -0.92 2.56 -0.08
IC-50524A X VRBTG-3 0.90 0.74 0.69 -0.49 6.68* -0.38
Long Green X VRBT-50 -1.42 -0.73 1.10* 1.00 0.55 -0.66
Long Green X VRBT-86 -1.26 -1.87 -0.43 0.08 3.34 -1.76
Long Green X VRBTG-3 -3.00 -4.02* -0.81 -0.82 1.79 -1.73
VRBT-50 X VRBT-86 -1.61 -1.56 -0.98* 1.51* 2.47 0.90
VRBT-50 X VRBTG-3 -0.03 -1.04 -0.03 -0.39 -0.41 -2.74*
VRBT-86 X VRBTG-3 1.80 0.15 0.77 -0.64 -2.29 -0.85
Sij 1.04 1.21 0.54 0.72 1.37 1.08
Sii-Sjj 1.26 1.47 0.66 0.87 1.65 1.31
Sij-Sik 1.54 1.80 0.80 1.07 2.06 1.60
Sij-Skl 1.46 1.70 0.76 1.01 1.91 1.51

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Contd
Days to Weight
Diameter Length of Days to Disease Fruit yield
Parents green fruit Of fruits
of fruits fruits maturity Resistance (Kg/pl)
harvesting (g)
VRBT-29 X VRBT-39 -0.15 3.65* -1.49 -5.13* 0.59 -0.13 0.04
VRBT-29 X DVBTG-1 0.7 4.70* 4.58* 0.97 -1.10 1.61 0.04
VRBT-29 X IC-50524A 0.02 0.04 1.560 1.05 7.33* -2.75 0.03
VRBT-29 X Long Green -0.14 -0.80 -3.37* -0.53 0.05 -4.15* 0.07
VRBT-29 X VRBT-50 0.18 2.42* 1.54 3.72* -4.58* 2.81 -0.10
VRBT-29 X VRBT-86 0.67 0.85 0.96 2.43 -7.25* -2.89 0.06
VRBT-29 X VRBTG-3 -0.09 -1.24 -2.00 -0.74 -0.87 4.53* -0.02
VRBT-39 X DVBTG-1 -0.18 -0.06 0.90 2.26 0.39 -0.62 -0.10
VRBT-39 X IC-50524A -0.43 -3.06* 0.71 0.97 4.43* -3.48 -0.03
VRBT-39 X Long Green -0.59 -1.44 3.31* 3.56* -10.35* 0.32 -0.01
VRBT-39 X VRBT-50 0.14 -1.02 1.36 4.98* 2.68 -0.82 0.06
VRBT-39 X VRBT-86 -0.04 0.98 0.78 2.85* 1.35 3.52 0.17*
VRBT-39 X VRBTG-3 0.43 -1.14 -0.05 4.18* 3.78 4.32* 0.03
DVBTG-1 X IC-50524A -0.06 -2.01 -1.65 1.34 7.50* -4.07* 0.14*
DVBTG-1 X Long Green 0.09 -2.02 -3.72* -2.63 3.89 -4.10* 0.29*
DVBTG-1 X VRBT-50 -0.02 -1.63 -1.57 0.95 11.59* -3.58 0.08
DVBTG-1 X VRBT-86 -0.20 -1.31 -0.82 2.66 -4.41* -2.41 -0.20*
DVBTG-1 X VRBTG-3 0.41 0.18 4.52* 3.15* -1.31 2.16 -0.06
IC-50524A X Long Green 0.34 5.82* 2.35 1.41 -2.34 2.87 -0.08
IC-50524A X VRBT-50 -0.64 0.08 0.58 0.66 10.03* 11.66* 0.01
IC-50524A X VRBT-86 -0.76 -1.94 -1.00 -1.97 1.03 12.13* -0.02
IC-50524A X VRBTG-3 0.23 -0.12 3.00* 0.20 -5.20* -1.64 0.04
Long Green X VRBT-50 1.38 1.54 1.34 0.42 2.41 12.89* 0.82*
Long Green X VRBT-86 0.10 -0.48 2.42 0.46 13.41* 12.70* -0.01
Long Green X VRBTG-3 -0.50 0.34 -3.24* -2.38 -11.16* -0.068 -0.06
VRBT-50 X VRBT-86 -0.55 -0.22 3.10* -2.29 -11.56* -7.17* -0.14
VRBT-50 X VRBTG-3 -0.81 -2.41* -2.35 -3.13* -6.12* 0.39 -0.09
VRBT-86 X VRBTG-3 -0.05 -0.08 -2.94 -0.76 14.88* 1.14 0.01
Sij 0.40 0.95 2.00 1.72 2.71 1.24 0.04
Sii-Sjj 0.49 1.15 2.41 2.08 3.28 1.50 0.06
Sij-Sik 0.59 1.41 2.97 2.55 4.02 1.83 0.06
Sij-Skl 0.55 1.33 2.79 2.40 3.79 1.73 0.52

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Vijay B. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 4. Genetic Parameters for 14 characters of parents and hybrids (F1s) in bittergourd.

Sr Variability Genetic
Heritability
No Characters Genotypic Phenotypic Genetic Advance as
(broad
Variance Variance Advance percent of
sense)
PCV (%) GCV (%) Mean
Days to 50%
1 0.88 3.287 16.56 8.56 26.70 0.99 9.12
Germination
Days to first male
2 10.25 14.15 11.13 9.47 72.50 5.62 16.61
flower anthesis
Days to first female
3 5.565 10.99 7.47 5.31 50.60 3.46 7.78
flower anthesis
Node to first male
4 0.028 1.06 15.56 2.52 2.70 0.06 0.85
flower emergence
Node to first female
5 0.405 2.28 11.66 4.91 17.80 0.55 4.26
flower emergence
6 Male to Female ratio 9.50 16.20 20.32 15.56 58.60 4.83 24.54
Numbers of fruits per
7 3.95 8.26 18.18 12.58 47.80 2.83 17.92
plant
8 Diameter of fruits (cm) 0.05 0.60 21.25 5.92 7.80 0.12 3.39
9 Length of fruits (cm) 4.13 7.50 17.87 13.26 5.51 3.11 20.27
Days to green fruit
10 4.65 18.95 6.93 3.43 2.45 2.20 3.50
harvesting
11 Days to maturity 10.58 21.33 5.76 4.06 4.96 4.72 5.89
12 Weight of fruits (g) 58.52 85.20 12.26 10.16 68.70 13.06 17.35
Downy mildew
13 95.28 101.15 41.07 39.86. 94.20 19.52 79.69
resistance
14 Fruit yield (Kg.plant-1) 0.011 0.016 15.49 12.68 67.00 0.17 21.37

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Vijay B. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table 5. Genetic components of variation for various agro-economic traits of bitter gourd in F1 generation.
Proportion Proportio
Genetic Domi- Mean of genes n of
Addi- Herita- Number of
Components nance Degree of with +/- dominant
tive Effect bility gene groups
Effect dominance effect in genes in
/Proportions parents parents

D H1 H2 (H1/D)0.5 (H2/4H1) (4DH1)1/2 H2

+F H2
(4DH1)1/2
-F
1.Days to 50% 2.055 3.811* 0.370 1.362 0.224 1.880 0.108
Germination +0.370 +0.850 +0.496

2.Days to first male 9.705* 35.18** 11.381 1.849 0.161 1.599 0.533
Flower anthesis +3.245 +7.459 +4.352
3.Days to first female 5.413* 25.92** 11.284 2.188 0.154 2.285 0.705
flower anthesis +2.952 +6.786 +3.959

4.Node to first male 0.044 0.603 0.026 3.701 0.254 0.719 0.042
Flower emergence +0.179 +0.412 +0.241

5.Node to first female 0.851* 2.114 0.459 1.576 0.175 2.114 0.310
flower emergence +0.308 +0.708 +0.413

6.Male to Female ratio 2.354* 37.09** 29.228 3.970 0.197 1.133 0.998
+0.517 +10.383 +6.058

7.Numbers of fruits 1.206 21.61** 7.776 4.233 0.151 3.478 0.595

Plant-1 +0.784 +6.401 +3.735

8.Diameter of fruits -0.041 0.754 0.062 4.292 0.194 1.753 0.106

(cm) +0.136 +0.314 +0.183

9.Length of fruits 1.957* 23.66** 0.426 3.477 0.175 2.625 0.026

(cm) +0.314 +5.319 +0.103

10.Days to green 8.676** 14.534* 4.394 1.294 0.250 1.330 0.302

Fruit harvesting +2.474 +5.688 +3.318

21.68** 3.271* 35.750 1.181 0.209 2.051 1.410

11.Days to maturity
+2.324 +15.343 +3.117

12.Weight of fruits (g) 56.94** 223.14** 24.914 1.989 0.289 1.549 0.133
+7.140 +39.402 +2.989

13.Downy mildew 74.88** 177.11** 84.617 1.538 0.191 1.774 0.627

resistance +29.92 +68.783 +20.132

14.Fruit yield 0.009 0.046 0.002 2.217 0.001 1.69 0.043

(Kg/plant) +0.007 +0.017 +0.010

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Talbi S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Effect of Osmotic Stress (PEG 6000) on Final Germination Percentage and

Median Germination Time of Plantago albicans
Sihem TALBI ; Ali FERCHICHI
Laboratory of Dryland and oasis cropping, Institute of Arid Area of Medenine, ELFJE 4119, Tunisia.
E-mail, sihem_talbi@yahoo.fr
Mohamed DEBOUBA
Institut de Biologie Applique de Medenine (ISBAM), Route El Jorf- Km 22.5 - 4119 Medenine, Tunisie.
Elkadri LEFI
Faculty of sciences of Gafsa, Sidi Ahmed Zarrouk, Gafsa 2112, Tunisia.

Abstract :
Plantago albicans is a Mediterranean and saharo-Arabic species common in Portugal, Spain,
France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Palestine, North of Africa, and Sudan and extends until the Saharan
area. In Tunisia, it is abundant especially in the areas of the central and southern parts of the
country (until Remada and Dhebat). It is a pastoral and medicinal species very palatable by
animals. Its leaf infusion is used by humans and animals to cure swollen belly. This plant is
adapted to drought and its seeds can germinate after a long period of water deficiency.
This work is aimed at assessing the ability of P. albicans seeds to germinate under increasing
osmotic stress conditions (different concentrations of PEG 6000: -1, -3, -5, -7 and -10 bars). Our
results indicate that under good water conditions, the germination capacity (GC) reached 66.56 %.
Increasing osmotic stress decreased the GC and conversely increased the mean germination time
(MGT) by 112 % and 120%, at -1 and -5 bars, respectively. Beyond, -5 bars, P. albicans seeds
could not germinate.
Keywords: Plantago albicans, osmotic stress, germination

1-INTRODUCTION with NaCl. Knowledge of water shortage effects on

Plantago albicans is a perennial species
distributed in many regions of middle and south of
Tunisia. It is a shrub with a wide rosette leaf reaching
a height of 10-20 cm. The flowering stems can reach
a height of 40 cm. This plant grows best in deep
sandy soils (Neffati, 2008). It is very appreciated by
animals. It is also a medicinal plant used against the
scabies of the animals. The leaf infusions were used
against constipation (Le Floch et al., 1989). Seed
dispersal of Plantago albicans start during May and
extend to June. Seedling and juvenile growth of all
plants occur during late winter and early spring.
Several environmental factors such as
temperature, salinity and soil moisture
simultaneously influence germination. Water stress
acts by decreasing the percentage and rate of
germination (Prusinski and Khan, 1990; Branccini et
al., 1996) and for each species there exists a value of
water potential below which germination does not
occur (Bewley and Black, 1985). In order for the
process of germination to start, it is necessary for the
seed to reach an adequate level of hydration, which
will permit a reactivation of the metabolic processes
(Cordoba et al., 1995). Nassif and Perez (1997),
studying germination in Pterogyne nitens, observed
that PEG 6000 provoked larger decrease in the
percentage and rate of germination of the seeds than
did NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, and manitol, there occurring
no germination at -1.2 bars with PEG, and -2.2 bars
germination may be useful to evaluate the germina-
tion characteristics or the establishment potential
among range species (Jordan and Haferkamp, 1989).
The purpose of this study was to examine the
effect of a wide range of osmotic stress conditions on
the germination of P. albicans seeds.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material
Seeds of P. albicans were collected from plants,
which were collected from El Fje, Medenine in June
2000. Seeds were stored in a temperature of 18C in
glass bottle.
Germination Experiments
Petri dishes (90 mm) containing two disks of
Whatman No. 1 filter papers with six ml of distilled
water (0 bars) or polyethylene glycol 6000 solution
of -1, -3,-5, -7 and - 10 Bars were added to Petri-
dishes, each containing 30 seeds. Petri- dishes were
then placed in a dark germinator maintained at a
constant temperature of 25C. The concentration of
PEG-6000 needed to produce each osmotic potential
was obtained from the formula developed by Michel
and Kaufmann (1973):
h = - (1. 18 .10-2) C - (1.18 .10-4) C + (2. 67.10 4)
CT+ (8.39. 10 7) C T

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SIPAM 2009
Where, C is concentration of PEG-6000 in g.l-1 of
water, T is temperature in C and h is osmotic
potential in bars. Germination counts were taken
every 2 days for 22 days. Seeds with a radical
extension equal to greater than 2 mm were
considered as germinated, counted and then removed.
Distilled water equal to the mean loss of water from
dishes containing only water was added to each Petri-
dish every 2 days to maintain PEG concentration
near the target levels throughout the germination
period.
Two characteristics of germination were
determined: final germination percentage and mean
time to germinate (MTG). MTG was estimated
according to the formula:
MTG = (ni x di) / N, where n is the number of
seeds germinated at day i, d the incubation period in
days and N the total number of germinated seeds in
the treatment (Brenchley & Probert, 1998).
Statistical analyses, including test for
homogeneity of variance, were analysed using SPSS
for Windows, version 12. A one-way analysis of
variance (ANOVA) was carried out to test effects of
osmotic stress on final percentage of germination and
median germination time.
3-RESULTS
The germination responses of P. albicans seeds to
a wide range of osmotic stress treatments at the
optimum germination temperature (25C) are shown
in Fig.1 and Table1. Generally, germination
percentage decreased with increasing osmotic stress
and was completely inhibited at -7 bars. On the other
hand, seeds of P. albicans obtained their maximum
germination in distilled water (66. 56 %). The
presence of PEG-6000 depressed germination at the
lowest concentrations. A concentration of -5 bars was
sufficient to decrease germination capacity up to 12
%. The speed of germination calculated using MTG
showed that the rate decreased with the lowering of
osmotic potential from 0 to 10 bars (increase of the
MTG) and we recorded 2.39 days in the absence of
PEG and 5, 25 days at -5 bars. A one way ANOVA
of speed of germination indicated a significant main
effect of PEG-6000 on final germination (P <0.001)
and median germination time (P <0.001) (Table 1).
Osmotic stress thus decreased both germination
percentage and speed.
4-DISCUSSION
Linear regression analysis was used to determine
the relationships between final germination
percentage and different level of osmotic stress.
There was a negative relationship with germination
and osmotic stress, with coefficient of determination
(R2) ranging to 0.75 (Fig. 2).
The exposure of Plantago albicans seeds to
osmotic stress affects germination capacity. Similar
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :51-54
[Talbi S. et al.,]
declines and recoveries in seed germination have
been reported in the literature (Gill et al. 2002; Gupta
et al., 1993; Singh et al., 1996; Rauf et al. 2007;
Rhadouane, 2007).
Reduced germination under water stress
conditions may be attributed to the effect that seeds
seemingly develop an osmotically enforced
dormancy under water stress conditions, which
may be an adaptive strategy of seeds to prevent
germination under stressful environment thus
ensuring proper establishment of the seedlings (Turk
et al. 2004).
Literature Cited
-Prusinski, J. and Khan, A. A. 1990. Relationship of
ethylene production to stress alleviation in seeds
of lettuce cultivars. Journal American Society of
Horticulture Science 115: 294-298.
-Bewley, J. D. and Black, M. 1994. Physiology of
development and germination. New York :
Plenum Press. pp. 147-197.
-Braccini, A. L., Ruiz, H. A., Braccini, M. C. L. and
Reis, M. S. 1996. Germinao e vigor de
sementes de soja sob estresse hdrico induzidos
por solues de cloreto de sdio, manitol e
polietileno glicol. Revista Brasileira de Sementes
18: 10-16.
-Brenchley J.L., Probert R.J. 1998. Seed germination
responses to some environmental factors in the
sea grass Zostera capricorni from eastern
Australia. Aquatic Botany 62:177188.
-Cordoba, G. A. T., Borges, E. E. L., Borges, R. C.
G. and Neves, J. C. L. 1995.
Osmocondicionamento em sementes de
Esenbeckia leiocarpa Engl (guarant). Revista
Brasileira de Sementes 17: 217-226.
-Nassiff, S. M. L. and Perez, S. C. J. G. A. 1997.
Germinao de sementes de amendoim-do-
campo (Pterogyne nitens Tul.): influncia dos
tratamentos para superar a dormncia e
profundidade de semeadura. Revista Brasileira
de Sementes 19 :172-179.
-Le Floch, E., Schoenenberger, A., Nabli, M.A. et
Valdeyron, G. 1989. Biologie et cologie des
principaux taxons. In : NABLI M.A. Essais de
synthse sur la vgtation et la phyto cologie
tunisienne: Elment de botanique et de
phytocologie 51-193.
-Jordan, C.L., Haferkamp, M.R. 1989. Temperature
responses and calculated heat units for
germination of several range grasses and shrubs.
Journal of Range Management 42: 4145.
-Michel, B.E. et Kaufmann, M.R. 1973. The osmotic
potential of polyethylene glycol 6000. Plant
physiology 51: 914-916.
-Gill, P.K., Sharma, A.D., Singh, P., Bhullar, S.S.
2002. Osmotic stress induced changes in
germination, growth and soluble sugar content of
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
Sorghum Bicolor (L)Moench seeds. BULG. J.
PLANT PHYSIOL. 28:34, 1225
-Gupta, A. K., J. Singh, N. Kaur, R. Singh, 1993.
Effect of polyethylene glycol induced-water
stress on germination and reserve carbohydrates
metabolism in Chickpea cultivars differing in
tolerance to water deficit. Plant Physiol.
Biochem 31: 369378.
-Singh, P., P. Bhaglal, S. S. Bhullar, 1996.
Differential levels of wheat germ agglutinin
(WGA) in germinating embryos of different
wheat cultivars in response to osmotic stress.
Plant Physiol. Biochem.34: 547552.
-Muhammad Rauf, Muhammad Munir, Mahmood ul
Hassan, Munir Ahmad and Muhammad Afzal .
2007. Performance of wheat genotypes under
osmotic stress at germination and early seedling
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[Talbi S. et al.,]
growth stage. African Journal of Biotechnology
Vol. 6 (8), 971-975, 16.
-Radhouane. L. 2007. Response of Tunisian
autochthonous pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R. Br.) to drought stress induced by
polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. African Journal
of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (9), pp. 1102-1105.
-Turk M A., Abdel Rahman M., Tawaha and Kyung,
D.L. 2004. Seed germination and seedling
growth of three Lentil Cultivars under moisture
stress. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 3 (3):
394-397.
-Neffati. M. 2008. Domestication des plantes
spontanes autochtones spontanes autochtones
usage multiples en zones arides et dsertiques
(guide pratique de collecte, de conditionnement
et de germination de leurs semences. P 198).
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Talbi S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table.1: Mean comparison (Duncan test = 0.05) of final percentage and mean germination time of Plantago
albicans seeds under osmotic stress condition

Water Potential Germination characteristics

(bars) Final percentage Decrease (%) MTG (days) Increase (%)
(%)
0 66.56 15.11a 0 2.39 1.47b
b
-1 30.75 10.20 53.80 5.06 3.56a 111.71
c
-3 20.87 8.40 68.64 5.16 3.98a 115.89
-5 12.57 6.13d 81.11 5.25 4.2a 119.66
-7 0 0.00c
-10 0 0.00c
Within each column, values followed by the same letter are not significantly different at p>005 Note. Each
value is a mean of four replicates of 30 seeds.

Figures

100
90 Plantago albicans h=0
80
Germination ( % )

70 h=-0.1
60 h=-0.3
50
40 h=-0.5
30 h=-0.7
20
h=-1.0
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Time (days)

Fig.1:. Cumulative germination percentage of Plantago albicans seeds during 22 days at 25C
as influenced by osmotic stress (0, -1, -3, -5, -7 and -10 bars). (n= 4)

70
60
Final germination (%)

y = 5,7534x + 46,726 50

R = 0,7567 40
30
20
10
0
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
Water potential of PEG 6000

Fig.2: Regression plots for mean final germination percentages of Plantago albicans seeds at different
PEG 6000 water potential at 25C. Values (n = 20) are from the five treatments with four replicates.

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :47-49
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Rezaeian S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Studying the Effects of Different Rates of N and K on the Yield

and Quality of Berberry Trees

S. Rezaeian, A. Moghrey, A. Mokhtarian and A. Hosseinirod

Agricultural Research and Natural Resources Center of Khorasan Razavi. P.O.Box:488, Zip Code : 91735.
Torough station, Mashhad-Iran

Abstract :
To find the interaction effects of Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K), with manure in a band
application method for improving the quality and increasing the yield of seedless barberry trees of
southern khorasan province in Iran, a factorial experiment as a randomized complete block design
was conducted. The experiment was carried out with two factors and four replications on 64
barberry trees. The factors included; the different rates of N from ammonium sulfate source at four
levels of (0, 250, 500, and 750) grams, and different rates of K at four levels of (0, 125, 250, and
500) grams from potassium sulfate source were used for each tree. The results obtained in (2007-
2008) showed that, the effects of different treatments had a yield increase in barberry trees,
compared to the previous years. The use of ammonium and potassium sulfates had decreased the
pH levels of southern khorasan province soils, and had a detrimental effect on the nutrient
absorption levels from roots. The average maximum yield obtained was 4649 Kg/ha from N1K2
treatment, meaning from the second level of ammonium sulfate source, and the third level of
potassium sulfate source at the 250 grams level.
Keywords: Quality and Quantity of Berberry Trees, N and K Nutrition of Berberry Trees, Plant
Nutrition of Berberry Trees.

1-INTRODUCTION done (Bidely and Maskoki, 2000). Therefore,

Barberry trees are Native plant in Iran, and
especially the seedless kind (Barberis Vulgaris), as
an important economical crop for the southern
khorasan region. Especially in Ghaen and Birjand
cities which are known as especial place for Barberry
trees, among other crops in this region and plays am
important role for the economics of farmer families
in this region (Mokhtarian, 2004). Considering the
special conditions of this region such as; lack of rain
and water, reduction of heat and relative humidity of
the weather in summer, lack of nutrients in the soils
of the region, saline water, high PH and calcareous
soils of the region, have limited the broad range of
plants used, and is known as the limiting factor in the
farming practice of the region. Barberry trees are
known as the crop which is well adopted to the
weather and other conditions of the region. In the
year 2000, the barberry trees yield was obtained at
the (970) kg/ha. Overall, the average yearly
production is about (5000-6000) tons of dry barberry
(equal to 22000 tons of the wet crop) which equals to
the total price of (55) billion rials, equivalent to
approximately $5,500,000 (Jihad Agricultural
Organization of Khorasan Statistics, 2000). When
this crop find its original place and value in the
export industry, its effect on the region economy will
be very effective (kafi and Bolandari, 2001). On the
other hand, for planting barberry trees, the research
required in the ecological, physiological, and the
plant nutritional characteristics still have not been
considering the importance of the effect of N and K
on the quantity and quality characteristics of the
barberry fruit and also the age and environmental
conditions of the barberries of the region, the
necessity of doing this research was a requirement.
Nitrogen and potassium are two important nutrients
needed to increase the quality and quantity of the
fruit. Barberry trees, from the nutritional standpoint,
are very resistant to stress conditions, and need very
low amount of nutrients (Bina, 1995). In calcareous
soils of Iran, the dissolved carbonates, and the
bicarbonates of the irrigation water have caused the
precipitation and fixation of the nutrients, which
results in effective mechanisms to be inefficient for
absorbing nutrients (Rasouli and Malakouti, 1999).
The optimum use of N and K fertilizers are very
necessary for the plant. The optimum use of
potassium fertilizers also causes the increase in plant
resistance to water stress, pesticides and diseases,
freezing injury, and also the storage characteristics,
which finally increases the crop quality (Malakouti
and Tabatabei, 1998).
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
To investigate the interaction effects of N and K
plant nutrients in a band application method for
improving and increasing the yield and quality of
seedless barberry trees of southern khorasan, a
factorial experiment in a randomized complete block
design with two factors and four replicates on the

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sixty four trees were carried out. The factors
included, different rates of nitrogen percentage from
ammonium sulfate source at the (0,250,500,750)
grams, and different rates of potassium percentage
from the potassium sulfate source at the
(0,125,250,500) grams for each tree were used. This
study will be repeated for two more years. The total
samples of soil, water, and the fruit treatments, will
he sent to the laboratory for chemical and physical
properties. The other nutrients based on the area soil
test recommendations will be applied in a band
application for each tree. This will be done during the
mid-march month, which included fertilizers such as;
Triple super phosphate, Iron sulfate, Zinc sulfate,
Manganese sulfate, and Copper sulfate, with ten Kg
of decomposed animal manure, in an even
application throughout the experimental treatments,
with only the factor levels which were exactly
practiced as the designed project required. After the
treatment applications completed, at harvesting time,
we analyzed the treatment effects in addition to the
wet and dry yield measurements, the fruit samples
were picked up, and the nutrient concentrations of
fruits (N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn) were measured.
3-RESULTS
The results obtained from the mentioned
experiment (2007-2008), showed that the noticeable
increase in barberry trees yield in relation to the
previous years such that, the use of ammonium
sulfate and potassium sulfate caused the decrease in
soil pH, and finally had and important effect on the
absorbing of nutrients from the roots. The maximum
yield of barberry trees obtained was about 4649
Kg/ha from the N1K2 treatment, which means the
second level of ammonium sulfate and third level of
potassium sulfate (250 grams).
4-DISCUSSION
The statistical analysis showed that (Table 1), the
potassium factor had a significant effect on the N
concentration at the 5 % level. On the other hand, the
N and K factors had the significant effect in the order
of 1% and 5% on the phosphorous (P) concentration.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :47-49
[Rezaeian S. et al.,]
The interaction effect of N and K at the 1% level had
a significant effect on the K concentration, and on the
replication had a significant effect at the 1% level.
The calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) did not have any
significant effect. On the other hand, the zinc (Zn)
had a significant effect at the 1% level on the N
concentration, and the replication.
Literature cited
-Bidely and Maskoki, 2000. Determination of best
improving method and increasing storage time of
berberry fruit. Jihad ministry of agriculture.
Agricltural research and educational
organization. Engineering and technological
research institute, Tehran. Iran.
-Bina, 1995. Berberry tree planting and adaptation of
it with birjand area climate characteristics. Final
report in agricultural research and natural
resources center of khorasan razavi province.
Mashhad. Iran.
-kafi and Bolandari, 2001. Berberry Trees;
Tecnology, Production and harvesting. Ferdowsi
University. Mashhad. Iran.
-Malakouti and Tabatabei, 1998. Proper nutrition of
fruit trees. Jihad ministry of agriculture.
Agricltural research and educational
organization. Tehran. Iran.
-Mokhtarian, 2004. Investigating the effect of
removing cuttings and plant density on the
berberry trees yield. Final report in agricultural
research and natural resources center of khorasan
razavi province. Pub no. 83-762. Seed
technology Dept. Mashhad. Iran.
-Rasouli and Malakouti, 1999. Investigation of
sulfate use method on the yield and growth
indexes of apples. Part one. Soil and water
magazine. Horticultural special pub. Vol 12. No
8. P: 54-63. Soil and water institute. Tehran.
Iran.
-Statistical report, 2000. Jihad agricultural
organization of khorasan razavi province.
Mashhad. Iran.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Rezaeian S. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table1: Statistical Analysis of Berberry Trees (2007-2008)

Mean Square Error Sources of

df
Zn Fe Ca K P N Variations
3592.18
39.958** 0.003n.s 0.022* 0.0001 0.007 3 Replication
n.s
18.875** 1166.224 0.003 0.008 0.001** 0.003 3 Factor A
8.875** 609.016 0.001 0.004 0.001* 0.029* 3 Factor B
3** 1217.599 0.001 0.015** 0.0001* 0.002 9 Interaction (A*B)
4.325 1598.405 0.002 0.006 0.0001* 0.009 45 Total Error
14.16 19.69 19.16 6.95 8.82 12.5 C.V

p.s = * = 0.05 , ** = 0.01 and n.s = not significant

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Ounaissia K. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

The Toxic Mushrooms in East Algerian

Ounaissia K.; Laredj H.; Djaffer R.; Benbakha A / K.; Meggedem M.; Amroune A / K. and Mechri R.
Botany medical laboratory, department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine-ALGERIA Annaba
Email: ounaissia_k@yahoo.f

Abstract:
Beware, they are beautiful, they are dangerous!
Climatic conditions of Algerian region favor the appearance of wild mushrooms, rains and
humid temperatures of led to the emergence of early wild mushrooms.
Attracted by their colors, their aspects, children are most vulnerable to poisoning by
mushrooms as they are easy to pick. Mushroom poisoning is often asymptomatic at the outset with
a latency of 48 hours to 6 hours. The poisoning is therefore unnoticed but has fatal consequences.
The only way to avoid poisoning by mushrooms is that the species consumed is fully identified
and to encourage children to recognize the deadly species in any form and in any state.
Keywords: confusion, child, long incubation time.

1-INTRODUCTION white (Durrieu, 1977)

The vast world of fungi frightens many and for
good reasons, they are formidable killers. (Bekker,
1996). Many people have heard of Amanita. These
mushrooms are known since ancient times and have
been much discussed.
In Algeria authorities have recognized this reality,
but still ignored by citizens. It is now the subject of
wide awareness campaign initiated by the Ministry of
Health in Algeria. There was a wave of cases of
poisoning which have affected ten provinces of the
country causing a heavy toll of deaths, including
children, resulting in hospitalization and emergency.
Our work aims to identify poisonous mushrooms
in the region of eastern Algeria and the preparation of
data sheets for reference description; toxins and signs
of intoxication.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Several surveys were made in the fall and winter
in order to achieve an inventory of the most toxic
mushrooms in Eastern Algeria.
Rigid-basket was made in which the samples are
not likely to be tight and broken.
The mushrooms have been washed in order to
recognize the toxic species. Once we have
identification is done, a photo was taken.
A certificate of recognition for each toxicological
fungus has been established.
3-RESULTS
12 toxic fungi were identified in the region of eastern
Algeria :
-Livid Entoloma : Entoloma lividum (photo 1)
Blades: yellow and pink; notched.
Foot: slightly bulging at the base, white or yellowish
Spores: polygonal or angular;
Toxin resin irritating to the digestive tract
Toxicity: incubation time: 1to 4 hours epigastric
cramps, nausea, vomiting, thirst. (Guinard, 2000)
-Bolet Satan (Boletus satanas). (Photo 2)
Blades: None
Foot: bulging, light yellow, red in the upper region;
Spores: greenish brown;
Toxin resin irritating to the gastrointestinal tract;
Toxicity: incubation time: 1 to 4 hours: epigastric
cramps, nausea, vomiting, thirst. (Guinard, 2000)
-Nebulous Clitocybe (Clitocybe nebular). (Photo 3)
Blades: white;
Foot: thick, spongy, white to gray;
Spores: White
Toxin: muscarine
Toxicity: incubation time 1 to 3 hours
Intense sweating, salivary hypersecretion, fetid
diarrhea, determining a state of intense dehydration
Miosis and cardiac slowing.
-Psilocybe Lanceolate (Psilocybe semilanceata).
(Photo 4)
Blades: blackish purple at maturity;
Foot: very thin and long yellowish brown to tan
(Durrieu, 1977)
Spores: Black Purple
Toxin: psilocin and psilocybin related to serotonin
and LSD (acid diethylamide Lysergic-D)
Toxicity: blurred vision, mental confusion, memory
loss, relocation in time and space.
-Coprin Black Ink (Coprinus atramentarius).
(Photo 5)
Blades: white and pink in early growth, then black;
Foot: hollow; fragile and brittle;

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Spores: Black
Toxin: Coprin
Toxicity: Congestion of the face and members;
tachycardia, characterizing a buzz rthisme
cardiovascular collapse up
-Cortinaire Mountains (Cortinarius orellanus).
(Photo6)
Blades: fauve orange becoming red because of the
color of its spores (Benmechir, 1998)
Foot: hollow, often curved at the base, no ring, no
volve;
spore: rust-colored;
toxin: orellanine a dipyridine;
Toxicity: incubation time: 217 days
Gastroenteritis and severe nephritis attached to a
breach of the adrenal glands
Fever + + +
Cell destruction and irreversible deep generally result
in death.
-Panther Amanita (Amanita pantherina).
(photo 7)
Blades: white and free;
Pied: white, bulging at the base by a rounded bulb
housed in a volve;
Ring: white
Volve: white
Toxin: the isoxazole derivatives (acid ibotnique)
pantherina, muscinol, muscazone acid Tricholoma)
Toxicity after ingestion 2 to 3 hours: - deliria,
agitation, a furious intoxication followed by deep
sleep, next to the comma
Neurovegetative disorders: decreased salivary
secretion mydriasis, heartburn, diarrhea, vomiting
-Amanite Tue Mouche (Amanita muscaria).
(photo 8)
Blades: White
Pied: white; volve white;
Ring white and bordered with yellow;
Volve: white
Toxin: the isoxazole derivatives (acid ibotnique)
pantherina, muscinol, muscazone acid Tricholoma)
Toxicity after ingestion 23heures: - dlir, agitation,
a furious intoxication followed by deep sleep, next to
the comma (Guinard, 200)
Neurovegetative disorders: decreased salivary
secretion mydriasis, heartburn, diarrhea
-Amanita Phalloides (Amanita phalloides)
(Photo 9)
Blades: White, free, tight and uneven;
Pied: white or greenish;
Ring: white;
Volve: membranous; ample;
Toxin: The phalline: a kind of hemolysin
glycoprotein; thermolabile
Of phallotoxines: cyclopeptide to 7amino acids
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 41-46
[Ounaissia K. et al.,]
Of amatoxines: cyclopeptide to 8amino acids
Toxicity: T.I: 6 48heures
Phase cholriforme: digestive disorders: abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea especially
intense
Phase hepatotoxic: biologically characterized by:
(Guiniard, 2000)
* Increased transaminases
* Decrease in clotting factors
-Amanite Spring (Amanita verna). (photo 10)
Blades: White
Foot: long and small bulb ovoid full then empty;
Ring: thin and fragile
Volve: thin and white
Toxin: The phalline: a kind of hemolysin
glycoprotein; thermolabile
Of phallotoxines: cyclopeptide to 7amino acids
Of amatoxines: cyclopeptide to 8amino acid
Toxicity: T.I: 6 48heures
Phase cholriforme: digestive disorders: abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea especially
intense
Phase hepatotoxic: biologically characterized by:
* increased transaminases
* Decrease in clotting factors
-Amanite Vireuse (Amanita virosa). (photo 11)
Blades: White
Foot: slender, white, covered with fine plush stuffed
then hollow;
Ring: white;
Volve: white;
Toxin: The phalline: a kind of hemolysin
glycoprotein; thermolabile
Of phallotoxines: cyclopeptide to 7amino acids
Of amatoxines: cyclopeptide to 8amino acids;
Toxicity: T.I: 6 48heures
Phase cholriforme: digestive disorders: abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea especially
intense
Phase hepatotoxic: biologically characterized by:
* increased transaminases
* Decrease in clotting factors
-The Gyromitre (Gyromitra exulenta). (photo 12)
Blades: None
Foot: irregular, short, hollow and white
Ring: none
Volve: none
Toxin: the gyromitrine; hydrazone;
Toxicity: incubation time: 10 24 heures or 48 hours
A phase-gastrointestinal-neurological disorders, and
cytolytic hepatitis with jaundice, hemoglobinuria.
4-DISCUSSION
Before the production of nature, the attitude of man
has always been whether "it is eaten or not." That is
harmful qualities have always been attributed to
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SIPAM 2009
mushrooms or even safe in edible because of
ignorance or errors of determination or because a few
copies of toadstools were found mixed with edible
species.
Finally, prevention remains the best way to
prevent cases of poisoning by mushrooms in case of
poisoning:
* Remove the remains of fungi in the mouth
* Rinse and clean the mouth with a wet glove
* Do not give anything by mouth
* Call the CAP or the nearest doctor or drive
intoxicated at the hospital,
* Keep the leftovers of the meal if it is still
possible to identify the fungus responsible (Laron,
1977)
* Note the time elapsed since the meal
5-CONCLUSION
Like it or not, there is only one way to avoid
poisoning by the mushrooms:
* Pick and eat only mushrooms perfectly
identified.
* Do not pick up a mushroom if there is any
doubt as to his identification
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp : 41-46
[Ounaissia K. et al.,]
* Do not consume the crops that are not
controlled by a specialist in this area
* Teach children to recognize the three
amanitas deadly in any form and in any state.
Literature cited
-Bekker, G.1996. Les champignons. dition
Paris Bouchet, PH, Guignard, JL, Pouchus,
YF, Villard, J.2000.Abrgs fungi. Edition
Masson Paris.
-Benmechir, Y., Azzoun, Y. 1998. Poisonous
mushrooms "study in north-eastern
Algeria. Annaba El Kala" memory End of
pharmacy.
-Durrieu, G., Gathala, B. Poisonous
mushrooms; ency.mdico surgery. Paris.
Alpes Magazine: the guide to mushrooms
"recognize, collect, cook" No Special
autumn. 1997.
-Toulouse Laron -A. Lambert H.1977.Compte
minutes of the meeting of the group of
French poison: bridge monsoon. Edition
Masson Paris.11-35
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Ounaissia K. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Photo 1. Livid Entoloma: Entoloma Photo 2. Bolet satan (Boletus satanas)

lividum

Photo 3. nebulous Clitocybe Photo 4. psilocybe lanceolate (Psilocybe

(Clitocybe nebular ) semilanceata)

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Ounaissia K. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Photo 5. Coprin black ink (Coprinus atramentarius) Photo 6. cortinaire mountains

(Cortinarius orellanus)

Photo 7. panther Amanita Photo 8. Amanite tue mouche

(Amanita pantherina) (Amanita muscaria)

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Ounaissia K. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Photo 9. Amanita phalloides Photo 10. Amanite spring

(Amanita phalloides) (Amanita verna)

Photo 11. Amanite vireuse Photo 12. the gyromitre

(Amanita virosa) (Gyromitra exulenta)

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 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :37-39
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Farhad F. & al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Effects of Sowing Dates and Planting Patterns on Phenology and Yield of

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Farhad Farahvash, Bahram Mirshekari and Ali Faramarzi
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Islamic Azad
University,Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, IRAN.

Abstract :
In order to study the effects of planting dates and planting patterns on phenology and yield of
Cumin, field experiment was carried out during 2008 at the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz,
Iran. Factorial experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Blocks Design with four
replications. Treatments were as follows: planting dates (5, 10, 15 and 20 April) and planting
patterns (550, 1045, 1540 and 2035 cm-2). Seed essential oil was extracted by steam
distillation. For data analysis and drawing of graphs, MSTAT-C and SPSS softwares were
employed. Analysis of variance indicated that the difference between two studied factors in terms
of all the studied variables is significant, at 1% and 5% probability levels. Comparison of mean
values showed that the time to emergence, the time from emergence to flowering and the time
from planting to harvesting were decreased with delays in planting. The shortest growth period (56
days) was observed in the case of the planting date of 20 April. Stem height of cumin ranged from
20 cm (treatment of 20 April planting date 550 planting pattern) to 32 cm (treatment of 5 April
planting date and 2035 cm2 planting pattern). The highest seed yield (695.5 kg ha-1) and seed
essential oil yield (16.85 kg ha-1) was obtained from the seeding date 5 April and planting
pattern2035 cm-2.
Keywords: cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), phenology, planting date, planting pattern, yield.

1-INTRODUCTION region is semiarid and cold. Average annual

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important
medicinal plant that is suitable for cultivation in the
arid and semi-arid regions. Planting pattern is one of
the most effective factors on crop yield. It is also
related to planting date, because with each delay in
seeding, plant growth stage and yield decrease. The
Cumin could be planted in cold climate after
elimination of frost danger in early spring. Due its
short growth period, each delay in cumin planting
will result in shortening of that once more. In Studies
by Kazemi (2001, 2002) indicated that in Iran,
sowing date of 10-30 Mar. is suitable for cumin in
spring and 20-30 Mar. has been reported as the best
sowing date by Saadati & Fardaie (1997).
Gholizadeh et al. (1996), in Iran, indicated that the
cumin yield increased in high planting densities,
because of its lower stem height and lower
competition power. In this research, between four
planting patterns (2530, 2025, 1520 and
1015cm-2), the highest seed yield was obtained from
the 1520 cm-2 plant spacing. This research was
conducted with the goal of determining the best
planting date and planting pattern for cumin, in
Tabriz.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in 2008, at the Islamic
Azad University of Tabriz, Iran. The climate in this
precipitation is 270 mm. The soil type is sandy loam.
The experiment was conducted in a Randomized
Complete Blocks Design, with four replications.
Treatments were: four planting dates (5, 10, 15 and
20 April) and four planting patterns (550, 1045,
1540 and 2035 cm-2). and four planting dates (26
Mar.; 5, 15 and 25 April) and four planting patterns
(2020, 2016, 2012 and 208cm-2). The fertilizers
used in the experiment included 25 and 60 kg ha-1
potassium sulfate and ammonium phosphate,
respectively, and 45 kg ha-1 of urea. The studied traits
were: percentage of field emergence, time to
emergence, stem height, time from emergence to
flowering, time from planting to harvesting, seed
yield and essential oil yield. Seed essential oil was
extracted by steam water distillation. For data
analysis and the drawing of statistical graphs SPSS
and Harvard Graphics softwares were employed.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Analysis of variance showed that the differences
in measured traits, i.e. between planting dates and
planting patterns were significant at 1% and 5%
probability levels. Emergence percentage of field was
un-uniform in fourth planting date (, with nearly 30%
of the seeds not germinating. Time to emergence was
also delayed in the early planting dates. This was
expected, because of the environment temperature

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increase in delayed planting dates. The shortest time
from emergence to flowering was measured in the
treatment of (550 cm-2)20 April, and with 15 days
delay in planting, decreased 11 days. Similar results
have been reported by Khodei (2005) in Iran. Time
from seeding to harvesting was decreased, when the
planting date was delayed and the longest growth
period (56 days) was observed in treatment Nu.
(planting date of 20 April). Cumin is a early ripening
crop that, in delayed planting dates, it's vegetative
phase decrease more and more (Zehtab-Salmasi et
al., 2006). Stem height of cumin ranged from at least
20 cm in treatment of 20 April planting date 550
planting pattern up to 32 cm in treatment of 5 April
planting date 2035 planting pattern. The highest
seed yield obtained from treatment of (2035 cm-2)
5 April Seed yield in this treatment was 695.5 kg
ha-1. Similar results have been reported by Kapur
(1993) on Cuminum cyminum in India. With a view
to seed essence, the best planting date and planting
pattern were 5 April and 2035 cm-2, respectively.
Hornok (1980) studies resulted that with each 10
days delaying in planting, seed essence decreased 1.1
kg ha-1. It seems that, higher seed essence in 2035
cm-2 planting pattern has been related to soil nitrogen
content. With attention to nitrogen participates in
protein structure and existing of negative correlation
between oil and protein in seed, perhaps in high
densities with the reason of low availability of plants
to N, seed protein percentage has been reduced and
seed essence that is a kind of oil, has been increased.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :37-39
[Farhad F. & al.,]
Planting date of 5 April and planting pattern of
2035 cm-2 is recommended in Tabriz.
Literature Cited
-Bhati, D.S. and M.S. Shaktawat. 1994. Effect of
sowing date, row spacing and nitrogen on
quality parameters of coriander (Coriandrum
sativum L.). Progressive Horticulture, 26 (1, 2):
14-18.
-Kapur, B.M. 1993. First results of sowing date and
nitrogen rate on yield and essence if cumin
(Cuminum cyminum L.). Reg. Res. Lab., Jamu
Tawi, India.
-Leto, C., A. Carrubba and P. Trapani. 1996. Effects
of sowing date on seed fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare Mill.) in a semi-arid Sicilian
environment. Atti convegno internazionale:
Coltivazione emiglioramento di piante officinali,
2-3 giugno 1994. Trento, Italy, 513-522.
-Zehtab-Salmasi, S., K. Ghassemi-Golezani and S.
Moghbeli. 2006. Effect of Sowing date and
limited irrigation on the seed yield and quality of
dill ( Anethum graveolens L.). Turk. J. Agric.
and Forestry. 30: 281-286.
-Zehtab-Salmasi, S., A. Javanshir, R. Omidbeigi, H.
Aliari and K. Gasemi-Golozani. 2001. Effects of
water supply and sowing date limited irrigation .
on performance and essential oil production of
anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Acta Agronomica
Hungarica, 49 (1): 75-81.
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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Farhad F. & al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Table1: Analysis of variance of studied variables of cumin

SV df time to Emergence Stem Time from Seed Seed

emergence percentage height (?) planting to yield (?) essence
(days) (%) harvesting (?) (?)
MS
R (?) 3 0.26** 0.005 0.01 0.02 8.33 0.002
sowing date 3 22.05** 0.03* 95.96* 0.06* 3683.33** 0.23**
planting
pattern 3 610.68** 3855.2** 446.83** 2491.73** 635545.83** 3.26**
Interaction 9 2.2** 0.06 0.36 63 137.5** 0.03
Error 45 0.8 93.89 34.99 14.02 23.88 0.06
CV (%) - 4.6 12.5 25 6.1 7.9 11.7

Table2: Mean comparisons of studied variables of cumin

5 April 15 April 20 April 25 April

20 15 10 5 20 15 10 5 20 15 10 5 20 15 10 5
35 40 45 50 35 40 45 50 35 40 45 50 35 40 45 50
time to 15 15 16 16.3 27.3 27 30 30.3 17 17 20.25 20.25 15.25 15.25 16 16
emergence
emergence 91.3 91.1 91 91 62.9 63 63 63.2 65 65.3 65.2 65.1 90.8 90.8 90.8 90.6
percentage
stem 32 32 31 31 22 22.2 21 21 22 22 21 21.2 20 20 20 20.1
height
time from
planting to 104 103 104 104 95 95 95 95 85 85 85 85 75 75 75 56
harvesting

seed yield 695.5 690 650 650 450 451 440 442 445 445 440 440 425 429 355 359

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Chelbia R.]
SIPAM 2009

Contribution to the Study of the Ecology of Some Medicinal Plants of

Ouennougha Forest ( Massif of Biban ) Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria)
Chelbia REGOUI
No. 7 Rue AC Lot 473, 5 juillet, Bordj Bou Arreridj 34000 Algeria

Abstract :
The return to phototherapy knows a new expansion these last years, because we discover more and
more side effects of medicines, so this directs us to use natural matter.
Within the framework of a dendro ecological study of the forest of the Aleppo Pine (Pinus
halepensis Mill.), floristic surveys were carried out in the 38 sites according to the stratified
sampling technique.
The examination of the floristic composition in the sampled sites revealed the existence of plants
with medicinal utility; they are about 24 species they belong to 15 families and 21 genera. Not
only we must protect these plants but we need to multiply them. In this optic, the knowledge of
their ecology is imperative, so we have tried by statistic analysis to take off the ecological factors
which can influence the distribution of these species and their extension in order to encourage their
culture and consequently increase their production.
Keywords. Pinus halepensis, Aleppo pine forest, Ecology, Mediterranean forest, Aleppo pine
cortge.

1-INTRODUCTION according to the method of (Braun-Blanquet and

The Algerian forest has very significant potential
according to (Benabdeli, 1998), 2840, Sahara species
included, 147 are regarded as endemic (Quezel, 1964
in Benabdeli, 1998) more than 8%, 230 species
belong to Mediterranean lineage, there are also 302
species endemic North African, consequently the
recovery of this heritage is essential.
The interest of medical science and industry for
medicinal and aromatic plants, is increasing from
production to the use by the public, several sciences
are concerned, forestry, agronomy, chemistry,
pharmaceuticals (Itokawa and Hsiung Lee, 2003)
adding to these disciplines ecology.
Phyto-ecologists in general are interested in
Gynecology which is the study the relation between
groups of species and their environment, perhaps in
order to study landscape on a large scale for
planning.
Otherwise, working on a basic scale of perception
can also be interesting as long as the gynecological
behavior of the species according to (Long, 1974) is
different from their self ecology behavior, according
to the same author self ecology is the part of the
ecology that is concerned about relationships
between species or the individuals considered
separately and their environment as we will do with
the Aleppo pine floristic cortege in the forest of
Ouennougha.
2-MATERIALS AND METHODS
Within a framework of a dendroecological study
in Ouennougha forest at the region of Bordj bou
arreridj, phytosociological surveys were carried out
Pavillard 1928 in Gehu et al., 1980), the
methodological basis of phytosociology is the
survey of vegetation. The species identified in the 38
sampled plots were inventoried, they are 24
belonging to 15 families and 21 genera, they reveal
medicinal qualities.
The sampled plots are circular their surface is
about 314 m2, which corresponds to the minimum
area of our survey. Each plot meets the criteria
determined by the technique of stratified sampling
and each plot is different from the others by at least
one ecological factor. The ecological factors
considered are:
Rainfall in 2 classes (400 500 mm) and (500
600 mm) set by the map of (Chaumont and Pacquin,
1971 Corrected by ANRH, 1993). In regard to the
geology they are 4 substrates showed on surface
(Caire, 1957), the marly calcareous, calcareous, marl
and sandstone clay, the slope graded into low (0 -
12.5%) average (12.5 - 25 %) and high (> 25%), then
the altitude in 2 classes (800 - 1000 m) and (>
1000m), finally 7 exposures (western exposure has
not been sampled).
Before beginning, it should be noted that we
made the relationship between the Aleppo pine and
sites factors when it is the only forest tree present in
these plots, then the relationship between the floristic
cortege and these same factors. To do this, we first
used the factor analysis of correspondences to
identify the factors that influence the whole of this
forest. Secondarily, the simple regression to reveal
the relationship between the growth of Aleppo pine

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and ecological factors. We used the dominant height
of the 3 highest trees in each plot.
3-RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The factor analysis of correspondences explained
67.08 % of the total variance, only the first 2 Axes
are retained which respectively explain 23.91 %,
13.26 % of the total variance (Fig. 1).
The axis 1 opposes two sets of sites, set I (S2, S4,
S5, S6, S7, S8) and set II (S10 to S38), the sites of
set I are all located in the high rainfall zone that
corresponds to the 500-600 mm slice, while set II is
in the slice of 400 - 500 mm. So the axis 1 separates
the sites into sites located in the slice of rainfall (500-
600mm), which includes the stations of low fertility.
The set II in turn includes the low, average and high
fertility in the slice of 400-500mm.
At first this seems paradoxical. Indeed, (Kadik,
1987) in his study of the Aleppo pine in Algeria
suggested that the optimum development of Aleppo
pine ranges from 400 to 600 mm of rain. The height
of 400-500 mm rain seems to be most favorable to
the development of Aleppo pine.
It can be concluded that, all the sites of set I do
not take advantage of the amount of rainfall they
receive, these stands are based on substrates clay
limestone and sandstone, which show poor water
retention. The axis 1 expresses the rainfall.
As for the second axis, it opposes in its positive
part the group 1 of sites (S2, S4, S16, S17, S19, S20,
S22, S28, S29, S30, S31, S32, S33, S35, S36) whose
contributions range from 0.22 to 0.79.In the negative
part the group 2 (S3, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13,
S15, S18, S21, S23, S24, S25, S26, S27, S34, S37,
S38), whose contributions range from -0.22 to 0.69.
The first group belongs to the first class of altitude
(800-1000m), while the second one is for the second
class of altitude (> 1000m) ,in which we find the
most fertile sites as shown in factorial map (1.2) .The
increase in tree height in altitude is explained firstly
by the fact that the rain in Algeria comes from
mountains, on the other hand by the high rate of
moisture available to the leaves of trees.
Indeed, several authors have examined the issue
(Went and Young, 1952 and Stone, 1957 in Moore,
1961) found that plants which are confined to dry
land can absorb water in an unsaturated atmosphere.
(Slayter, 1958 in Moore, 1961) confirmed the
possibility of transferring water through the plant
from the air to the roots. The contribution of water
from the atmosphere is nothing but the dew would be
a major source of water for plants living in arid and
semi-arid areas. Then the axe2 expresses altitude.
Relationship between the dominant height of the
highest trees and environmental factors
The variation in the growth of Aleppo pine is
certainly due to the individual in question, the genetic
factors and competition with individuals of the same
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :29-36
[Chelbia R.]
species or different species including herbaceous
layer. However, much of this variation is
undoubtedly the result of the influence of
environmental factors. To know more we used the
simple regression.
1. Relationship between the Dominant Height
and Geology. we can see that the line look upward
from the sandstone clay and calcareous to marly
calcareous and marl (Fig. 2). The latter are most
suitable to the development of Aleppo pine; they are
soft and allow in this case the exploration of the
depths by the roots. By studying the forests of the
Mediterranean region (Quezel , 1986) said that the
Aleppo pine prefers marly and marly calcareous
substrates.
2. Relationship between the Dominant Height
and the Pluviometry. It's not obvious that the
increasing rainfull is beneficial for trees like we see it
(Fig. 3), we can observe the inclination of the line
from the pluviometry 400500 mm to 500 600 mm.
The first slice is apparently more beneficial for the
Aleppo pine. (Loisel, 1976), reports that in North
Africa a large number of stands of Aleppo pine is
located in the 350 - 450 mm of rainfull.
3. Relationship between the Dominant Height
and the Altitude. The line shows a slight inclination
to the higher altitudes (Fig. 4). So the heights in
different sites are close to each other. Effectively,
(Kadik, 1987) suggests that the optimum
development of Aleppo pine in the Tell ( north of
algeria) is located between 600 m and 1200m.
4. Relationship between the Dominant Height
and the Exposure. we can note that the line goes
down (Fig. 5) from the northern exposures north,
northeast and northwest to the southern ones south,
south east,southwest to the others so the latter seem
be suitable to the growth of Aleppo pine.
5. Relationship between Dominant Height and
the Slope. The dominant height appears not to be
influenced by the slope (Fig. 6), however we could
think of an intervention from other factors, good pine
growth in high slope may be due to its distance from
the action of humans and animals, was reported by
(El Hamrouni and Sarson, 1975) the forest in Tunisia
that is in good condition is one that is far from access
to humans and animals.
6. Relationship between the Dominant Height
and the recovery. The dominant height increases as
the recovery increases (Fig. 7), resulting in a net
relation between good sites conditions with the
presence of vegetation and the trees growth, so the
floristic cortge is dense height trees is important
also trees are old, so no affected by this density.
7. Relationship between Aleppo pine floristic
cortge and the sites characteristics.
The correlation matrix is made between
ecological factors and the floristic cortge.The most
abundant species in the cortge are Rosmarinus
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SIPAM 2009
officinalis, Cistus albidus, Juniperus oxycedrus,
Juniperus phoenicea, Phillyrea angustifolia and
Stipa tenacissima, these species have been reported
by (Baba Aissa, 1991; Baba Aissa, 1999
Laouer,1995),in the region, in Algeria and in the
Maghreb. According to the values of the coefficients
of the correlation matrix, Rosmarinus officinalis,
which accommodates the drought is linked to the
southern exposure (r = 0.34), in his study of the
vegetation of western Algeria (Alcaraz, 1969)
indicates that Juniperus oxycedrus is better adapted
to the semi-arid cold and fresh, than Quercus ilex to
the drought, and almost as well as the Aleppo pine.
Also in this same level cold wet suits him as well as
the oak and promotes in relation to the Aleppo pine.
In our surveys Juniperus oxycedrus seems to
prefer the north-west less exposed to the sun as it is
inversely related to altitude exceeding 1000m, it is
also inversely related to the high slope (r =- 0.32) ,
the explanation is that the sites in this class of slope
are located in the south and in the range of rainfall
(400 - 500 mm) so that sites are sunny, and more
land are rocky, that is why we find in place of
Juniperus oxycedrus, the Juniperus phoenicea.
According to (Ozenda, 1954) , through the
degradation of the pine forest and rocky soils, it's the
Juniperus phoenicea that relays the Aleppo pine,
indeed that what is observed in most of sites. In the
field, Juniperus phoenicea is present in the driest
sites and with Globularia alypum it is growing at low
altitude. The correlation coefficients of these two
species with the first class of altitude (800 - 1000 m)
are respectively (r = 0.33 and r = 0. 32).
Jasminum fruticans seems to have a preference
for the north-east, this specie indicates the variant of
fresh semi arid bioclimate (Kadik, 1987) and it seems
in search of coolness.
Teucrium polium is absent in marl calcareous
sites, in fact it is inversely correlated to this substrate
and weakly linked to the southern exposure.
Phillyrea angustifolia however prefers sites with
high rainfall (500 - 600mm) (r = 0.41) and avoids the
steep terrain and marl calcareous substrate. Because
it is up to forests of semi-arid bioclimate, according
to (Achour and al, 1983) this specie is in search of
cooler sites.
Moreover, it appears clear that, Cistus albidus has
a preference for land low slope (r = 0.33) and sits
marl calcareous substrate (r = 0.40), after fire or
exploitation it rapidly invades land in question.
Note also that Quercus ilex is negatively related
to the northern exposure (r = - 0.46) which indicates
the decline of this specie to thermophile species as
Stipa tenacissima, marking its presence not only in
the northern exposures but also at an altitude
exceeding 1000 m, we can see that under this altitude
(Ferlin, 1973 in Kadik, 1987) pinewoods turn into
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :29-36
[Chelbia R.]
steppe, that is only the result of a clarification of pine
's canopy.
Asparagus acutifolius is well correlated to the
low slope (r = 0.40), as we can see the withdrawal of
this specie near Phillyrea angustifolia to the benefit
of species associated with steppe formations namely
Teucrium polium and Paronychia argentea. Despite
this, the latter is linked to the North-east and the
rainfall 500-600mm, in fact the sites characterized by
these 2 factors are almost all located at mid- side,
either on average slope or on flat slope apparently
these conditions increase the availability of water in
these sites.
Cistus monspeliensis is strongly correlated to the
northern exposure denotes its requirement moisture
and freshness, like Ammoides verticillata which is
correlated to the slice of rainfall 500- 600mm.
Allium roseum has a great affinity with the gentle
slope (r = 0.61) and Thymus ciliatus prefers
calcareous soils and exposure Est.
Finally, for Sonchus oleraceus, Rhamnus
alaternus, Lotus corniculatus, asparagus officinalis,
Pistachia lentiscus, Calycotome spinosa and Stipa
tenacissima, no relationships with sites parameters
have been recorded may be due to their wide
distribution in our region.
The results obtained have revealed the ecological
factors that influence the installation of Aleppo pine
and its floristic cortge , like the water intake that
comes from the atmosphere, either through the
rainfall or the humidity of the air provided by altitude
or available in the soil. Add to this, the exposure that
influences the local microclimate, substrate hardness
which impedes root exploration of the depths, the
slope that determines the capacity of water retention
in soil together with the vegetation and the
competitive action of the man and animals.
We can often isolate a decisive factor responsible
of ecological differentiation of plant communities,
but often these are the effects of several simultaneous
causes (Pujos, 1962), the behavior of the species, is
that the combination of several ecological factors
which we have clarified that only a part.
Finally, our wealth of flora deserves more
interest from scientists and managers for the purpose
of preservation of plant genetic and biological
potential, but also the promotion of rural areas. This
will be done by a partnership between the university
and industry to make the university studies profitable
and put them on the test bed.
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Literature cited -Long, G. 1974. Diagnostic phytocologique et

amnagement du territoire. Collection dcologie,
-Achour,H.,Aidoud,A., Aidoud,F, Bouzenoune.A, Tome I. Masson et Cie dition : 58p.
Dahmani,M. Djebaili, S., Djellouli, Y., Kadik, L., -Moore, R.M. 1961. L'amnagement de la vgtation
Khelifi, H., Mediouni, K. et Nedjraoui, D., 1983. naturelle des rgions arides et semi- arides.
Notice de la carte de l'occupation des terres de Echanges hydriques des plantes en milieu arides
l'algerie carte pastorale de l'Algrie. Biocnoses, ou semi arides, compte-rendu de recherches.
Bulletin d'cologie terrestre- CRBT. Tome 2, n1- UNESCO : 196-202
2: 42-67. -Ozenda, P. 1954. Observations sur la vgtation
-Alcaraz, C. 1982. La vgtation de lOuest algrien dune rgion semi-aride : Les hauts plateaux du
Thse de doctorat es sciences, Universit de sud algerois.Bull.Soc.Hist.Nat. de Afr du nord.
Perpignon: 292p. Tome 45 : 221p.
-Baba Aissa, F. 1991. Les plantes mdicinales en -Pujos, A. 1962. Quelques applications des donnes
Algrie, codition Bouchne et Ad.Diwan. Alger de la gographie physique aux tudes d'cologie
: 15-153. vgtale Revue de gographie du Maroc, Rabat,n
-Baba Aissa, F. 1999. Encyclopdie des plantes 1et2 : 87p.
utiles. Flore dAlgrie et du Maghreb, substances -Quezel, P. 1986. Les pins du groupe Halepensis
vgtales dAfrique, dorient et doccident. cologie, vgtation, cophysiologie. institut
EDAS. Alger : 8-275 agronomique mdit de saragossa : 1619.
-Benabdeli, Kh. 1998. Rflexions sur les possibilits
et les contraintes de valorisation des espces
vgtales naturelles. Journe d'Etudes sur les
Plantes Mdicinales Spontanes d'Algrie Sidi
Bel Abbs. Conservation des forets de Sidi Bel
Abbs: 7p.
-Caire, A., 1957. Etude gologique de la rgion des
Bibans (Algrie), 2 vol, 149 figures. 6 pl, 15
photos : 818 p.
-Chaumont, M. et Pacquin, C. 1971. Carte
pluviomtrique de lAlgrie, 4 feuilles au
1/50.000. Bull.soc.Hist.nat.Afr.du Nord. Alger.
-El Hamrouni, A. et Sarson, M. 1975. Couvert
vgtal et rgnration naturelle du pin
dAlep.note de recherche n7 INRF, projet
TUN71/540. Renforcement et dveloppement de
lINRF. FAO : 8p.
-Gehu, J.M. et Rivas-Martinez, S. 1980. Notions
fondamentales de phytosociologie, Syntaxonomie
colloques, Berichte
.Inter.Symps.Verein.Vegetat.Hersang. R.Tuxen : 5-6.
-Itokawa,H. et Hsiung Lee,K., 2003. Taxus (le genre
Taxus). Taylor and Francis e-library :25p.
-Kadik, B. 1987. Contribution ltude du pin dAlep
(Pinus halepensis Mill.) en Algrie, cologie,
dendromtrie, morphologie. O.P.U. Alger : 65-
110.
-Laouer, H. 1995. Contribution ltude des plantes
mdicinales du massif du Boutaleb : Phytomasse
de Rosmarinus tourfortii de No, effet de
laltitude et lexposition sur la composition de ses
huiles essentielles .Thse de magister .Dep
.bio.vg. Univ Ferhat Abbas.Stif : 186.
-Loisel, R. 1976. Place et rle des espces du genre
Pinus dans la vgtation du Sud-est
mditerranen franais. Ecologia mediterranea.
n2 : 132-139.

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Fig. 1. Factorial map (1,2)

Height = 6,22150 + 1,21244 geology

14
13
12
Dominant Height (m)

11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Ga C Mc M
Geology

Fig. 2: Relationship between the dominant height and the geology

Height = 23, 9129 - 0, 0323871 pluviometry

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Chelbia R.]
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14
Dominant Height (m)
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
400 - 500 500 -600
Pluviometry (mm)
Fig. 3: Relationship between the dominant height and the pluviometry

Height = 8,91319 - 0,0002181 Altitude

14
13
12
Dominant height (m)

11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

Altitude (m)
Fig. 4: Relationship between the dominant height and the altitude

Height = 9,50203 - 0,269881 exposure

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14
13
12
Dominant Height (m)

11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
N NE NO S SE SO E

Exposure

Fig. 5: Relationship between the dominant height and the exposure

Height = 9,26 - 0,0268 Slope

14
13
12
Dominant Height (m)

11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
5 15 25 35
Slope (%)

Fig. 6: Relationship between the dominant height and the slope

Height = 7,78027 + 0,0213740 recovery

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14
13
Dominant Height (m)

12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
recovery (%)

Fig. 7: Relationship between the dominant height and the recovery

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Meddour R. et al.,]
SIPAM 2009

La Flore Mdicinale et ses Usages Actuels en Kabylie (wilaya de Tizi

Ouzou, Algrie) : Quelques Rsultats dune Etude Ethnobotanique
Rachid MEDDOUR ; Hacne MELLAL ; Ouahiba MEDDOUR-SAHAR and Arezki DERRIDJ

Facult des Sciences Biologiques et des Sciences Agronomiques,

Universit Mouloud Mammeri, BP 17 RP, 15 000 Tizi Ouzou, Algrie
rachid_meddour@yahoo.fr

Rsum :
Cette tude vise valuer la connaissance ethnobotanique en Kabylie, en mettant laccent sur
lusage mdicinal traditionnel de la flore, au niveau de 8 communes rurales de la wilaya de Tizi
Ouzou. Linformation ethnobotanique a t recueillie laide dun questionnaire auprs des
herboristes, des tradipraticiens et des populations locales de la rgion tudie.
Au total, ce sont 98 plantes vasculaires qui ont t identifies et recenses, poussant en grande
majorit ltat spontan (milieux forestiers et habitats humides, plus spcialement). Sur le plan
systmatique, elles appartiennent 48 familles, dont les plus reprsentes sont les Lamiaces (13
espces) et les Astraces (12 espces). Les nombreuses maladies cites durant lenqute sont
runies en 10 grands groupes de pathologies affectant les divers systmes de rgulation. Les
pathologies les plus traites sont celles du systme digestif (40 plantes), les maladies de la peau
(29), celles du systme circulatoire (24) et enfin, celles de lappareil respiratoire (21). La toxicit
de certaines plantes mdicinales utilises avec prcaution est bien connue. Il convient de noter que
les plantes mdicinales sont souvent des plantes usages multiples. Dailleurs, 31 de ces plantes
pourtant sauvages prsentent encore un intrt alimentaire pour les populations rurales.
Enfin, une grande majorit des plantes mdicinales utilises en Kabylie, sont connues ailleurs
pour leurs vertus thrapeutiques dans le bassin mditerranen, par exemple 72 plantes sur les 98
de cette tude sont cites par le projet Rubia (Gonzalez-Tejero & al., 2008). Cependant, il faut
reconnatre quil est urgent de collecter le savoir et le savoir-faire ethnomdicinaux, qui
reprsentent un patrimoine pour la recherche de nouvelles ressources pour le futur (aliments,
mdicaments, alicaments), dautant quils sont dtenus par peu de personnes, ges (plus de 60
ans) et illettres de surcrot.
Mots-cls : population rurale, tradipraticiens, savoir ethnobotanique, flore mdicinale, Kabylie,
Algrie

1-INTRODUCTION plantes mdicinales sont omniprsentes (Claisse-

Depuis une vingtaine dannes, on assiste un
intrt croissant, tant dans les pays dvelopps que
dans les pays mergeants, pour les systmes
traditionnels de mdecine, en particulier pour les
plantes mdicinales (OMS, 2003). Dans les pays
dvelopps, il y a une vritable vogue de la
phytothrapie et le retour de lutilisation des
plantes mdicinales, comme alternative aux
mdicaments classiques synthtiques et leur
cortge de contre-indications. Consciente des
problmes de sant que vivent les populations des
pays en voie de dveloppement, lOrganisation
Mondiale pour la Sant (2003) a dailleurs exhort
ces derniers inclure la phytothrapie dans leur
secteur sanitaire. Dautre part, il est admis que 80
% de la population mondiale a recours la
mdecine traditionnelle pour les soins de sant
primaires (Ennabili & al., 2000 ; Roth & Zaharia,
2004). Au Maghreb par exemple, il existe un
systme de sant traditionnel trs actif o les
Dauchy, 1996).
Cest dans ce contexte global que lobjectif
majeur de cette enqute ethnobotanique, mene
travers un territoire relativement limit de la
Kabylie (wilaya de Tizi Ouzou), auprs des
populations rurales qui vivent toujours au contact
du milieu naturel, est de recueillir des informations
sur lusage traditionnel des plantes mdicinales,
afin de prserver et de transcrire le savoir et les
pratiques ethnomdicales acquises par ces
populations locales depuis la nuit des temps. Ces
savoirs, traditions et savoir-faire ancestraux, certes
immenses mais transmis essentiellement par voie
orale, ne sont actuellement dtenus que par peu de
personnes dont le taux dillettrisme est lev. Ils
ne se transmettent dailleurs presque plus la
jeune gnration, qui se dsintresse de tout ce qui
a trait au naturel, et sont malheureusement
menacs de disparition rapide. Il est donc urgent
de recueillir linformation ethnobotanique et
surtout ethnomdicinale, en dressant un inventaire

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Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales
SIPAM 2009
aussi complet que possible des plantes utilises
encore de nos jours par les populations rurales.
2-MATERIELS ET METHODES
Site dEtude
Le site dtude est la wilaya de Tizi Ouzou, qui
est localise au Nord de lAlgrie, une centaine
de kilomtres lest dAlger. Ses limites
gographiques sont au Nord la mer Mditerrane,
lOuest la wilaya de Boumerds, au Sud celle de
Boura et lEst la wilaya de Bejaa. Elle compte
67 communes et 21 daras. Plus exactement, notre
tude sest droule au niveau de certains villages
de la plaine et galement de la montagne, de 8
communes rurales (taux de ruralit de 50 80 %) :
Tizi Rached [N 62], Bni Aissi [22], Irdjen [36],
Draa el Mizan [32], Larbaa Nath Irathen [44], Ain
el Hammam [2], Maatkas [47] et Tirmitine [57]
(Fig. 1), de superficie variable (2 000 8 000 ha)
et trs forte densit doccupation humaine (400
800 habitants/km !).
Cette wilaya, qui constitue une des rgions les
plus boises du pays (38 % de taux de boisement),
en raison de conditions bioclimatiques favorables
(subhumide et humide), et relief le plus souvent
montagneux, pour des raisons gographiques et
historiques est reste relativement isole et le
dveloppement agro-industriel ny a pas conduit
un dclin important des pratiques coutumires,
notamment lemploi des plantes en mdecine
traditionnelle.
Phase dEnqute et de Collecte des Donnes
Pour recueillir linformation ethnobotanique,
nous avons ralis un inventaire qualitatif et
quantitatif de lusage populaire actuel des plantes
mdicinales comme remde primaire quotidien. Le
choix de lchantillon a t subjectif et dirig, en de la Nouvelle Flore de lAlgrie de Quzel &
ce sens, quen gnral, on a obtenu les
renseignements auprs des informateurs
considrs comme les meilleurs connaisseurs de la
flore mdicinale dans chaque village concern par
le sondage. Pour cela, nous navons pas tenu
compte dans notre choix de leur sexe, ge ou statut
social, comme le prconise le projet Rubia
(Gonzalez-Tejero & al., 2008). Lenqute de
terrain a t ainsi ralise auprs de nos
informateurs, population rurale, mais galement
tradipraticiens et herboristes, qui sont natifs des
communes et villages sonds, via des entrevues
directes avec un questionnaire ferm prtabli. On
sest inspir pour cela largement des
questionnaires labors au Maghreb par Le Floch
(1983), Boukef (1986) et Bellakhdar (1997),
notamment.
Ces entretiens peuvent se drouler suivant deux
approches dont les informations recueillies se
recoupent au final (Rivire & al., 2005) :
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
par le biais de la plante (sur le terrain
linterlocuteur nous indique directement la plante
et ses utilisations),
par le biais de la maladie (description des
symptmes, puis dsignation des plantes utilises.
Cest surtout la premire approche qui a
prvalu dans cette tude.
Linformation ethnobotanique obtenue a t
saisie dans un tableau de donnes brutes et traites
laide du tableur Excel permettant de contrler et
de standardiser les renseignements portant sur les
aspects suivants (Mehdioui & Kahouadji, 2007) :
Les noms vernaculaires locaux et
ventuellement leur signification,
La frquence dutilisation des plantes
mdicinales ; il faut veiller contrler
linformation recueillie en ne consignant que les
donnes recoupes au moins 3 fois.
Usages mdicinaux locaux et autres usages
attribus chaque plante,
Parties utilises de chaque espce vgtale,
Modes de prparation pharmaceutique et
dutilisation,
La forme dadministration (usage interne ou
externe) et la toxicit.
A ce niveau, il convient daccorder une grande
attention la description des maux pouvant
atteindre les individus et les commentaires sur
lusage des plantes des fins thrapeutiques. Une
trs bonne revue des difficults dune enqute
ethnopharmacologique a t donne par Friedberg
(1991) et le lecteur peut se rfrer avantageuse-
ment cet article.
Finalement, les rencontres ont altern avec les
sorties botaniques sur le terrain, les rcoltes des
plantes et leur mise en herbier. Lidentification
systmatique des chantillons de plantes, dsigns
par leurs noms vernaculaires, a t ralise laide
Santa (1962/63) principalement, avec pour la
nomenclature binomiale latine quelques
actualisations ncessaires de nos jours.
3-RESULTATS ET DISCUSSION
Systmatique et Classement des Familles selon
le Nombre de Plantes Mdicinales
A lissue de la phase denqute, on a recens
98 plantes usage mdicinal clairement exprim,
dans la rgion envisage. Il sagit en majorit
despces vgtales sauvages et pour quelques-
unes de plantes cultives (9 espces). Ces 98
plantes mdicinales, qui ont t identifies sur le
plan systmatique, se rpartissent en 48 familles et
91 genres (Tableau 1). Les familles les plus
reprsentes sont celles des Lamiaces (13
plantes) et des Astraces (12). Les Rosaces (6),
les Fabaces/Papilionaces (4) et les Liliaces (4)
sont galement bien reprsentes (Fig. 2). Les
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Apiaces, les Brassicaces et les Polypodiaces
sensu lato sont prsentes avec 3 plantes chacune.
Enfin, les 40 autres familles comportent 1 2
espces vgtales, dont 30 sont cites avec
seulement 1 plante chacune.
La prdominance des familles telles que celles
des Astraces et des Lamiaces dans la flore
mdicinale est un fait bien tabli, puisquelle a t
constate dans lensemble de la rgion
mditerranenne (Gonzalez-Tejero & al., 2008), et
en particulier dans diverses provinces du Maroc
(Ennabili & al., 2000 ; Hseini & al., 2007 ;
Mehdioui & Kahouadji, 2007), que dans des
rgions dsertiques, comme par exemple au Sahara
septentrional algrien (Ould El Hadj & al., 2003).
Elle a de mme t observe dans des rgions non
mditerranennes, comme dans la province de
Camagey Cuba en Amrique centrale (Beyra &
al., 2004).
Phytonymie Vernaculaire Kabyle
Nous avons recens 127 noms vernaculaires
diffrents utiliss localement pour dsigner les 98
espces vgtales de cette tude (tableau 1).
Malgr la faible tendue de la rgion dtude, 22
espces portent plusieurs noms kabyles diffrents,
jusqu 4 pour lIvette musque (Ajuga iva). Ce
fait est trs courant spcialement pour les plantes
mdicinales attestant de leur rputation et utilit
(Fleurentin & Pelt, 1990 in Ennabili & al., 2000).
Ces noms peuvent tre soit simples, cest
gnralement le cas, soit composs, de type
descriptif et imag, comme pour une vingtaine de
plantes, telles que (cf. Ait Youssef, 2006,
notamment) :
Ameuski Lakhla littralement la musque de
la campagne ou Touf Toulba mieux que les
savants pour Ajuga iva,
Sajret Meryem larbre de Merim, Myriam
ou Marie pour Artemisa absinthium,
Afqous Bouaghyoul concombre dne
pour Ecballium elaterium,
Assenan Boughyoul ou pine de lne aux feux de forts, comme Lavandula stoechas,
pour Galactites tomentosa,
Ayefki Taghyoult le lait de lnesse pour
Cerinthe major,
Thoughmes n'Temgharth les dents de la
vieille pour Hyoseris radiata, mais attention la
confusion car ce nom dsigne galement
Taraxacum laevigatum (= T. dens-leonis),
Thassemoumth Guezgaren laigrelette des
boeufs pour Rumex conglomeratus et dautres
Rumex,
Thara our Thaguen Ouaman, la plante que
ne mouille pas leau pour Ceterach officinarum,
Ifer nTezizouith laile de labeille pour 2008). Le groupe thrapeutique qui comprend le
Melissa officinalis, etc.
Dautre part, comme le fait remarquer
Friedberg (1991), il faut souligner limportance du
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
recueil des termes vernaculaires, non seulement
pour les noms de plantes, mais aussi pour les
maladies. On peut citer dans ce contexte les noms
dsignant dans la zone dtude certaines maladies
ou symptmes, tels que nans ou dysenterie
des enfants, iouett pour leczma, tijoujar
pour les taches de la peau, etc. Dans une
population o le savoir sest transmis uniquement
oralement, il est effectivement important de
comprendre les descriptions des maux. Cela
implique une connaissance approfondie de la
culture locale.
Habitat des Plantes
En Kabylie, les cosystmes forestiers et
milieux associs ont une importance conomique
et sociale vitale pour les populations riveraines. Ils
assurent en particulier les besoins de la population
rurale en bois de chauffe, de construction et
constituent la principale ressource fourragre pour
le btail. Ils jouent aussi un rle dans lappro-
visionnement de la population locale en plantes
mdicinales sauvages qui font partie de leurs
moyens de subsistance.
Effectivement, la majeure partie des plantes
utilises en mdecine traditionnelle dans la zone
dtude pousse prfrentiellement en milieu
forestier (33 plantes) et dans les lieux humides
(29). Toutefois, les milieux anthropiss, comme
les champs (19) et les cultures (13) abritent une
proportion leve de plantes mdicinales
(messicoles, adventices). On note galement que
les plantes rudrales (dcombres, chemins)
participent avec un nombre proportionnellement
important (16) dans la pharmacope traditionnelle
kabyle. En somme, les populations locales
prlvent prs de la moiti (48) des plantes
mdicinales aux abords immdiats de leurs foyers.
Dautre part, il est intressant de constater que
certaines espces, abondantes dans les forts
claires (subraies) et les maquis de la rgion
dtude, rputes pyrophiles et donc favorables
Cistus salvifolis, Daphne gnidium, Calicotome
spinosa, Erica arborea et Pteridium aquilinum,
sont donc plaidables au moins pour leur utilit
mdicinale.
Les Maladies Traites et les Usages Phyto-
pharmaceutiques Locaux
Les nombreuses maladies recenses (plus de
70), sont classes en 10 grands groupes
thrapeutiques en fonction du systme dorganes
impliqu adopts par le projet Rubia lchelle de
la rgion mditerranenne (Gonzalez-Tejero & al.,
plus grand nombre de plantes (40 au total) est celui
de la pathologie gastro-intestinale et bucco-
dentaire (tableau 2 & Fig. 3). La pathologie de la
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SIPAM 2009
peau (dermatoses) occupe la seconde place avec
29 plantes diffrentes, la troisime place revient
la pathologie du systme cardio-vasculaire et
sanguin (24 plantes) et la quatrime celle du
systme broncho-pulmonaire et sphre ORL (21
plantes). Eu gard limportance capitale des
yeux, la mfiance est de mise et les affections
oculaires (conjonctivite notamment) ne sont
soignes qu laide dune seule plante, le basilic
(Ocimum basilicum). Il est intressant de souligner
quau Maroc cette mme plante est employe en
instillation locale pour traiter les inflammations
oculaires (Bellakhdar, 1997). Toujours au
Maroc, dans la rgion de Rabat, Hseini &
Kahouadji (2007) ne citent que 2 plantes qui sont
employes pour soigner ce prcieux organe des
sens.
Il est exemplaire de constater que le profil
obtenu sur la Fig. 3 est parfaitement superposable
celui du projet Rubia, qui concerne 7 pays du
bassin mditerranen (Algrie, Maroc, Espagne,
Italie, Albanie, Chypre, Egypte) utilisant un total
de 406 plantes mdicinales. Il y a prminence des
pathologies digestives, dermiques et respiratoires.
Ce qui traduit une grande diversit des usages et le
fait que la majorit de ces troubles de la sant
rpondent bien aux traitements avec les plantes
mdicinales.
Dautre part, il convient de faire ressortir que
45 plantes sur les 98 recenses (soit 46 %) sont
spcifiques chacun des groupes pathologiques
(tableau 2). Autrement dit, une dizaine dentre
elles ne sont employes que pour traiter
exclusivement les pathologies gastro-intestinale et
bucco-dentaire ( maux destomac , ulcre
destomac, vomissements, constipation, diarrhe,
vers intestinaux, douleurs dentaires, aphtes, etc.).
Ce sont : Aristolochia sempervirens, Ballota nigra,
Foeniculum vulgare, Borago officinalis, Galactites
tomentosa, Hyoseris radiata, Marrubium vulgare,
Polygonum aviculare, Juglans regia, Olea
europaea subsp. sylvestris.
Un autre groupe de 11 espces est exclusif des
pathologies dermiques (gale, plaies et brlures,
engelures, eczma, alopcie, champignon
Pityriasis versicolor, rougeole, etc.) ; il sagit de :
Anagyris foetida, Pteridium aquilinum, Urginea
maritima, Carthamus caeruleus, Pulicaria odora,
Chrysanthemum segetum, Rosa canina, Cistus
salvifolius, Papaver rhoeas, Tamus communis et
Umbilicus rupestris.
Le groupe de plantes qui remdie spcifique-
ment aux problmes respiratoires et de la sphre
ORL (rhume, grippe, angine, pharyngite, asthme,
etc.) se compose de 7 plantes ; il sagit de : Laurus
nobilis, Thymus numidicus, Eucalyptus globulus,
Lonicera etrusca, Polypodium australe, Pinus
halepensis et Tamarix gallica.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
Le groupe des 6 plantes suivantes est rserv
spcialement aux troubles cardiovasculaire et
sanguin (hypertension artrielle, hmorrodes,
diabte, anmie, pistaxis, hmorragie, maladies
hpatiques, etc.) : Melissa officinalis, Rosmarinus
officinalis, Prunus amygdalus, Arbutus unedo,
Capsella bursa-pastoris et Scolymus hispanicus.
Pour les soins des pathologies musculaire et
squelettique (rhumatismes, douleurs dorsales,
insuffisance de moelle osseuse, fatigue, etc.), on
utilise 4 plantes exclusives : Cynodon dactylon,
Salix pedicellata, Daphne gnidium et Calicotome
spinosa.
Enfin, les affections du systme uro-gnital
(calculs urinaires, maladies nphrtiques, anurie,
etc.) sont traites par un groupe de 6 plantes
lectives, comme le montre le plan factoriel 1-2 de
lAFC (Fig. 4), savoir : dun ct Ceterach
officinarum, Paronychia argentea, Prunus avium
et Prunus cerasus, de lautre ct Equisetum
ramosissimum (strilit masculine) et Orchis
italica (dont la consommation du tubercule de
lanne, jeune et lisse, rduit en poudre et mlang
du miel sert pour lutter contre limpuissance
sexuelle). Le mme usage est signal tant en
Tunisie (Boukef, 1986) quau Maroc (Bellakhdar,
1997).
Sur la Fig. 5 sont reprsents les maladies et
symptmes les plus frquemment soigns avec un
grand nombre de plantes, au minimum 3 (voir
tableau 3). Ce sont lvidence est de trs loin les
maux destomac, puis le diabte, le rhume, les
blessures et brlures, les rhumatismes et
lhypertension artrielle. Les maux destomac
sont en tte de liste dans pratiquement tous les
pays mditerranens tudis dans le cadre du
projet Rubia, confirmant ainsi nos observations et
donnant ainsi un caractre gnral ce fait
typique.
Toxicit
Lors de lenqute, on sest aperu que de
nombreuses recettes (44 sur 134, soit 32.8 %) sont
utilises en usage externe (tableau 3) et pas
seulement pour les enfants en bas ge. En effet, la
rputation de toxicit de certains vgtaux incite
en viter lingestion. Les tradipraticiens et les
populations locales nont dailleurs pas manqu de
signaler la toxicit de certaines plantes, qui sont
utilises avec prudence, telles que : Arisarum
vulgare, Anagyris foetida, Cerinthe major,
Ecballium elaterium, Olea europaea pour ses
feuilles, mais leur toxicit ventuelle est mal
connue (Ait Youssef, 2006) et surtout Nerium
oleander, qui est absolument mortel. Son
amertume et sa toxicit sont proverbiales et le Dr.
Brette (in Ait Youssef, 2006) met en garde contre
la formidable toxicit de lensemble des parties
du Laurier rose . Cependant, ce ne sont pas les
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SIPAM 2009
seules, dautres plantes ont montr, selon
Bellakhdar (1997), un effet toxicologique, il sagit
de Ruta montana, Aristolochia longa, Artemisia
absinthium, Cynodon dactylon, Quercus ilex s.l.,
Mentha pulegium, Allium sativum et Papaver
rhoeas.
Par ailleurs, il convient de signaler que le
Cresson des fontaines (Nasturtium officinale,
Garninouche), excellent lgume trs riche en sels
minraux et en vitamines, qui est trs populaire en
Kabylie, o il est considr comme une panace,
est employ sans la moindre prcaution. Pourtant,
il est souvent parasit par la douve du mouton et
peut transmettre lhomme la distomatose. Il faut
donc le rincer abondamment avant den
consommer les feuilles crues ou dliminer tout
risque par simple cuisson leau.
Autres Usages
A lvidence, outre leurs vertus mdicinales,
les plantes utilises dans la rgion de Kabylie sont
trs souvent usages multiples (alimentaire,
condimentaire, fourragre, vtrinaire, mellifre,
etc.).
Par exemple, pas moins de 31 plantes sauvages
sont galement usage alimentaire, - certaines en
priode de disette seulement -, comme :
Allium ampeloprasum (qui entre dans la
prparation du plat Aqfal , trs apprci en thrapeutique Traditionnelle au Niveau du
Kabylie), galement alimentaire au Maroc
(Bellakhdar, 1997),
Borago officinalis (plante comestible quand
elle encore jeune, et couramment consomm
comme lgume en Espagne, selon Roth & Zaharia,
2004),
Cynara cardunculus (cultiv en Kabylie des
fins culinaires et consomm aussi bien cru que
cuit),
Cerinthe major (dont les fruits noirs sont
consomms par les enfants),
Une mention spciale pour Scolymus
hispanicus [Thaghdith], qui est trs populaire en
Kabylie, en raison de son utilit alimentaire. Il est
en effet cultiv au mme titre que les plantes
potagres dans les jardins familiaux, et on utilise
surtout les nervures des feuilles basales, pour
prparer un ragot de viande avec le couscous, trs
pris.
Le fruit du Figuier de Berbrie (Opuntia ficus-
indica), cultiv abondamment en Kabylie et
souvent subspontan dans les endroits rocheux, est
rput pour sa haute valeur nutritive.
Autrefois, on consommait la semoule du
gland doux de Chne vert (Quercus rotundifolia)
durant les priodes de disette.
Arum italicum, Arisarum vulgare, Brassica
amplexicaulis, Hyoseris radiata, Picris echioides,
Malva sylvestris, Silene inflata, Rumex
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
conglomeratus, Urtica dioica, Galactites
tomentosa, etc.
Le basilic (Ocimum basilicum), trs souvent
cultiv en pot, est notoire pour sa qualit
condimentaire. Ce nest pas le seul, car parmi les
plantes mdicinales recenses dans cette tude,
dautres sont connues comme aromatiques :
Mentha pulegium, Mentha rotundifolia, Mentha
viridis, Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum,
Lavandula stoechas, Thymus numidicus,
Rosmarinus officinalis, Myrtus communis.
Notons quAnagyris foetida et Pteridium
aquilinum prsentent un intrt vtrinaire et
soignent la gale des animaux domestiques. Ces
derniers (lapins, nes, notamment) consomment
plusieurs Astraces : Galactites tomentosa,
Scolymus hispanicus et Picris echioides, trs
recherch comme fourrage vert.
Enfin, la Mlisse (Melissa officinalis), plante
mellifre des montagnes humides, est souvent
cultive en Kabylie et on sen sert pour attirer les
essaims dabeilles sauvages, et le grand Mlinet
(Cerinthe major), dont les abeilles butinent les
fleurs. En ralit, des observations plus prcises
montrent quau moins une quarantaine de nos
plantes prsente un intrt apicole.
Comparaison sur la Connaissance Phyto-
Bassin Mditerranen
Les connaissances ethnobotaniques sur certains
pays mditerranens, o la pratique traditionnelle
mdicinale est encore vivace, sont relativement
avances (Gonzalez-Tejero & al., 2008). Il est
donc intressant de tenter une comparaison des
listes de plantes utilises traditionnellement par les
populations rurales dans chacun de ces pays avec
nos propres observations. Tout dabord, on peut
tenter cette comparaison avec les donnes sur la
Kabylie dAit Youssef (2006) et plus globalement
lchelle de lAlgrie (Fourment & Roques,
1942 ; Beloued, 1998) et du Maroc (Bellakhdar,
1997), et enfin avec un ensemble de 7 pays du
projet Rubia (Algrie, Maroc, Espagne, Italie,
Albanie, Chypre, Egypte).
Il apparat ainsi que 56 plantes sont communes
aux deux tudes sur la Kabylie. Avec lAlgrie et
le Maroc, on trouve 65 et 69 plantes en commun
respectivement, et enfin, un nombre plus lev est
not entre lensemble des 7 pays mditerranens et
la Kabylie (notre zone dtude), soit 74. Ces
similitudes sont notables et significatives et
rvlent un fond floristique commun en matire
dusage ethnobotanique en Mditerrane.
La recherche bibliographique a permis ainsi de
vrifier que les utilisations mdicinales tradition-
nelles existent toujours et, dautre part, de faire
ressortir les analogies, les diffrences et les
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SIPAM 2009
nouveauts dans les plantes employes et dans
les usages ethno mdicinaux.
En effet, il existe un nombre non ngligeable
de plantes (11) qui ne sont pas mentionnes dans
les sources bibliographiques prcites. Loin dtre
toutes indites, une tude documentaire plus
exhaustive reste faire leur sujet, lexception
peut-tre de Thymus numidicus, une endmique
algro-tunisienne, et de Brassica souliei subsp.
amplexicaulis, localise au Maghreb et en Sicile.
4-CONCLUSION
Cette enqute ethnobotanique auprs des
populations rurales et des tradipraticiens a permis
dinventorier une centaine de plantes mdicinales.
Elle a contribu retranscrire fidlement un savoir
oral expos de nos jours, en milieu de plus en plus
rurbanis, un risque majeur de dperdition. Car
les dtenteurs de cette connaissance ethnomdi-
cinale sont les personnes ges de 60 ans et plus
(plus souvent des femmes). Ces plantes sont en
gnral dj connues pour leurs vertus
thrapeutiques en Algrie et dans les autres pays
du Bassin Mditerranen.
Les populations rurales utilisent ces plantes
mdicinales des fins personnelles ou familiales et
non commerciales et le plus souvent ce sont leurs
parties ariennes qui sont prleves avec maintes
prcautions et dans des quantits raisonnables. Ce
qui est un indicateur de linnocuit de cet emploi
qui est ainsi a priori sans danger pour ces plantes,
mais pour combien de temps.
cause de la chert de la vie en gnral et des
mdicaments modernes synthtiques plus
spcialement, lactivit des herboristes, quoique
mal exerce et dsorganise, est en plein essor et
suscite de plus en plus lintrt des citadins,
notamment des couches intellectuelles et pas
seulement des couches sociales les plus dmunies.
Les donnes ethnobotaniques acquises sur les
plantes mdicinales savrent immenses (nombre
de plantes, diversit des usages et pratiques). Ce
qui laisse entrevoir des perspectives prometteuses
en matire de recherche clinique et
pharmacologique, condition que de telles tudes
ethnobotaniques se gnralisent travers tout le
territoire national et quen parallle, une volont
politique sensuive. Bien videmment, la culture
industrielle ou semi-industrielle des simples
simpose pour viter que les plantes les plus
intressantes et recherches ne subissent une perte
irrversible. Il va sen dire quune part
consquente des retombes financires dune telle
dmarche doit revenir aux dtenteurs de cette
connaissance en toute quit dans un cadre global
de dveloppement socio-conomique inscrit dans
la durabilit. Rappelons pour conclure que
lAlgrie est signataire de la CDB (convention sur
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
la diversit biologique) qui reconnat la ncessit
de prserver et de valoriser les savoir-faire locaux.
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Genve, 84 p.
Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
[Meddour R. et al.,]
-OULD EL HADJ M.D., HADJ-MAHAMMED
M. & ZABEIROU H., 2003. Place des plantes
spontanes dans la mdecine traditionnelle de
la rgion de Ouargla (Sahara septentrional
Est). Courrier du Savoir, 3, 47-51.
-QUEZEL P. & SANTA S., 1962/63. Nouvelle
flore de lAlgrie et des rgions dsertiques
mridionales. Ed. CNRS, 2 vols., Paris.
-RIVIERE C., NICOLAS J.P., CARADEC M.L.,
DESIRE O. & SCHMITT A., 2005. Les
plantes mdicinales de la rgion Nord de
Madagascar : une approche
ethnopharmacologique. Bull. Soc. Fr.
Ethnopharm. & Soc. Eur. Ethnopharm., 36,
36-49.
-ROTH B. & ZAHARIA H., 2004. Les plantes
mdicinales, patrimoine de lhumanit, en
danger. Bulletin du Rseau Semences
Paysannes, n 6, 3 p.
187
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Tableau 1. Liste des espces vgtales mdicinales recenses dans la rgion dtude
Familles Espces (noms latins) Noms vernaculaires kabyles

Acanthaces Acanthus mollis Thafrefra

Anacardiaces Pistacia lentiscus Thidhekth

Apiaces Foeniculum vulgare

Tamsaouth
Apiaces Smyrnium olusatrum Ighses

Apiaces Thapsia garganica Adharyis, Toufalt

Apocynaces Nerium oleander Ilili

Araces Arisarum vulgare Thavqouqth

Araces Arum italicum Avqouq

Araliaces Hedera helix subsp. canariensis Adhafal, Avoudjafal

Aristolochiaces Aristolochia longa Thigharsi Guiguer

Aristolochiaces Aristolochia sempervirens (= A. altissima) Thifl'Eulma

Astraces Artemisia absinthium Sajret Meryem, Thajourmith

Astraces Carthamus caeruleus Amarsgous

Astraces Chrysanthemum segetum Ouazdhouz

Astraces Cynara cardunculus Tagga, Thaga

Astraces Dittrichia viscosa (= Inula viscosa)

Amagraman
Astraces Erigeron canadensis
Afjdhadh
Astraces Galactites tomentosa Akichaou, Assenan Boughyoul

Astraces Hyoseris radiata

Thoughmes n'Temgharth
Astraces Picris echiodes (= Helminthia echiodes) Halafa

Astraces Pulicaria odora Silmeksa

Astraces Scolymus hispanicus Thaghdiouth

Astraces Sonchus oleraceus Thiffaf

Boraginaces Borago officinalis Chikh Levqoul

Boraginaces Cerinthe major Ayefki Taghyoult

Brassicaces Brassica amplexicaulis Achinaf

Brassicaces Capsella bursa-pastoris Iles t'Zarmoumouchth

Brassicaces Nasturtium officinale (= Rorippa nastur. aquaticum) Garninouche

Cactaces Opuntia ficus-indica L'Aarsaa, Akarmous (fruit)

Caprifoliaces Lonicera etrusca Anaraf

Caprifoliaces Sambucus nigra Akhilouan, Arouari

Caryophyllaces Paronychia argentea Latei Lakhla

Caryophyllaces Silene inflata Thaghighachth

Cistaces Cistus salvifolius Thouzalt

Crassulaces Umbilicus rupestris (= Cotyledon umbilicus-veneris) Tibekebakin, Tichebouadhin

Netsaryel
Cucurbitaces Ecballium elaterium Afqous Bouaghyoul, Afqous Lahmir

Dioscoraces Tamus communis Tselmimou

Equistaces Equisetum ramosissimum

Vouymezran
Ericaces Arbutus unedo Issisnou

Ericaces Erica arborea

Akheloundj

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Fabaces/Papilionaces Anagyris foetida Aoufni

Fabaces/Papilionaces Calicotome spinosa Ouzou

Fabaces/Papilionaces Cytisus villosus (= C. triflorus) Ilegoui

Fabaces/Papilionaces Vicia faba Ivaouen

Fagaces Quercus rotundifolia Achekridh, Avouchich, Avelodh

(fruit)
Fumariaces Fumaria capreolata
Thijoujar Guesghi
Gentianaces Centaurium erythraea (= C. umbellatum) Q'lilou

Globulariaces Globularia alypum

Thaselgha
Juglandaces Juglans regia Ajouj

Lamiaces Ajuga iva Ameuski Lakhla, Chendhourath,

Kendourath, Touf Toulba
Lamiaces Ballota nigra (= B. foetida) Amarnouy

Lamiaces Lavandula stoechas Amezir

Lamiaces Marrubium vulgare Marnouyeth

Lamiaces Melissa officinalis Ifer t'Zizoua

Lamiaces Mentha pulegium F'legou

Lamiaces Mentha rotundifolia (= M. suaveolens) Timejja

Lamiaces Mentha viridis (= M. spicata) Nn

Lamiaces Ocimum basilicum Lehvaq

Lamiaces Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum Zathar

Lamiaces Rosmarinus officinalis Amezir, Amezir Bouamen

Lamiaces Teucrium polium Djada, Timzourin

Lamiaces Thymus numidicus Thizaathrin

Lauraces Laurus nobilis Rend, Taselt

Liliaces Allium ampeloprasum Tharnasth

Liliaces Allium sativum Thicherth

Liliaces Allium triquetrum Vivras

Liliaces Urginea maritima Ikefil

Malvaces Malva sylvestris Amedjir, Chouf Medjir

Moraces Ficus carica

Theghlett, Thazarth (fruit)
Myrtaces Eucalyptus globulus
Kalitous
Myrtaces Myrtus communis Erihan, Tchilmoum (fruit)

Olaces Fraxinus angustifolia

Aslen
Olaces Olea europaea subsp. sylvestris Ahechadh

Orchidaces Orchis italica Thihiythin

Papavraces Papaver rhoeas Djehvoudh, Ouahrir

Pinaces Pinus halepensis Azoumbi

Poaces Cynodon dactylon Affar

Polygonaces Polygonum aviculare Zentar

Polygonaces Rumex conglomeratus Thassemoumth Guezgaren

Polypodiaces Ceterach officinarum (= Asplenium ceterach) Thara our Thaguen Ouaman,

Thijrarhiyin, Tifrarachin
Polypodiaces Polypodium australe (= P. cambricum) Achtouane, Tifilkouts

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Polypodiaces Pteridium aquilinum Ifilkou

Punicaces Punica granatum Tharoumant

Ranunculaces Clematis flammula Azanzou

Ranunculaces Nigella sativa Zrar

Rhamnaces Rhammus alaternus Ajrouj, Imliles

Rosaces Crataegus monogyna Idhmim

Rosaces Prunus amygdalus var. amara Elouz Arzagan

Rosaces Prunus avium Andhrim

Rosaces Prunus cerasus Heb Lemlouk, Lisriz

Rosaces Rosa canina Thifarth

Rosaces Rubus ulmifolius Inijel

Rutaces Ruta montana Aouarmi, L'fidjla

Salicaces Salix pedicellata Ismlal

Scrophulariaces Verbascum sinuatum Thisisra, Thisraou

Tamaricaces Tamarix gallica Amemay

Thymlaces Daphne gnidium Alezzaz

Urticaces Urtica dioica Azegdhof

Tableau 2. Liste des plantes mdicinales et groupes thrapeutiques correspondants

Espces vgtales PI PD PC PR PM PN PU PG PV AP Frquence

Mentha rotundifolia x x x x x 5

Allium sativum x x x x 4

Globularia alypum x x x x 4

Picris echioides x x x x 4

Ajuga iva x x x 3

Allium triquetrum x x x 3

Aristolochia longa x x x 3

Artemisia absinthium x x x 3

Centaurium erythraea x x x 3

Malva sylvestris x x x 3

Mentha viridis x x x 3

Nasturtium officinale x x x 3

Pistacia lentiscus x x x 3

Rubus ulmifolius x x x 3

Sonchus oleraceus x x x 3

Acanthus mollis x x 2

Allium ampeloprasum x x 2

Arisarum vulgare x x 2

Arum italicum x x 2

Cerinthe major x x 2

Clematis flammula x x 2

Crataegus monogyna x x 2

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Cynara cardunculus x x 2

Cytisus villosus x x 2

Ecballium elaterium x x 2

Erica arborea x x 2

Erigeron canadensis x x 2

Ficus carica x x 2

Fraxinus angustifolia x x 2

Fumaria capreolata x x 2

Hedera helix x x 2

Dittrichia viscosa x x 2

Lavandula stoechas x x 2

Mentha pulegium x x 2

Myrtus communis x x 2

Nerium oleander x x 2

Nigella sativa x x 2

Ocimum basilicum x x 2

Opuntia ficus-indica x x 2

Origanum glandulosum x x 2

Punica granatum x x 2

Quercus rotundifolia x x 2

Rhamnus alaternus x x 2

Rumex conglomeratus x x 2

Ruta montana x x 2

Sambucus nigra x x 2

Silene inflata x x 2

Smyrnium olusatrum x x 2

Teucrium polium x x 2

Thapsia garganica x x 2

Urtica dioica x x 2

Vicia faba x x 2

Verbascum sinuatum x x 2

Aristolochia sempervirens x 1

Ballota nigra x 1

Borago officinalis x 1

Foeniculum vulgare x 1

Galactites tomentosa x 1

Hyoseris radiata x 1

Juglans regia x 1

Marrubium vulgare x 1

Olea europaea sylvestris x 1

Polygonum aviculare x 1

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Anagyris foetida x 1

Carthamus caeruleus x 1

Chrysanthemum segetum x 1

Cistus salvifolius x 1

Papaver rhoeas x 1

Pteridium aquilinum x 1

Pulicaria odora x 1

Rosa canina x 1

Tamus communis x 1

Umbilicus rupestris x 1

Urginea maritima x 1

Arbutus unedo x 1

Capsella bursa-pastoris x 1

Melissa officinalis x 1

Prunus amygdalus x 1

Rosmarinus officinalis x 1

Scolymus hispanicus x 1

Eucalyptus globulus x 1

Laurus nobilis x 1

Lonicera etrusca x 1

Pinus halepensis x 1

Polypodium australe x 1

Tamarix gallica x 1

Thymus numidicus x 1

Calicotome spinosa x 1

Cynodon dactylon x 1

Daphne gnidium x 1

Salix pedicellata x 1

Brassica amplexicaulis x 1

Paronychia argentea x 1

Prunus avium x 1

Prunus cerasus x 1

Ceterach officinarum x 1

Equisetum ramosissimum x 1

Orchis italica x 1

PI PD PC PR PM PN PU PG PV AP

Nombre total despces 40 29 24 21 17 15 8 5 1 11

Lgende : PI : Pathologie gastro-intestinale et bucco-dentaire ; PD : Pathologie dermique ; PC : Pathologie

du systme cardio-vasculaire et sanguin ; PR : Pathologie du systme broncho-pulmonaire et de la
sphre ORL ; PM : Pathologie musculaire et squelettique ; PN : Pathologie du systme nerveux et
mental ; PU : Pathologie du systme urinaire ; PG : Pathologie de la sphre gyncologique ; PV :
Pathologie du systme visuel ; AP : Autres pathologies.

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Tableau 3. Liste des plantes reconnues comme mdicinales et leurs usages locaux ou proprits
thrapeutiques dans les 8 communes tudies en Kabylie (wilaya de Tizi Ouzou)

Espces vgtales Forme Parties utilises Usages thrapeutiques/affections traites

d'administration
Acanthus mollis externe feuilles hmorrodes, strilit fminine
Ajuga iva interne partie arienne maux d'estomac, maux de tte, morsures d'animaux
(rage)
Allium interne plante entire insomnie, constipation
ampeloprasum
Allium sativum interne bulbes hypotenseur, dpuratif, anorexie
interne bulbes antiasthmatique
externe bulbes douleurs dentaires
Allium triquetrum interne fleurs soins des reins
interne plante entire transit intestinal, soporifique
Anagyris foetida externe feuilles gale
Arbutus unedo interne racines antidiabtique
interne feuilles hypotenseur
Arisarum vulgare interne rhizome tubreux laxatif
interne rhizome tubreux pectoral
Aristolochia interne feuilles, fruits Dysenterie (enfants)
altissima
Aristolochia longa interne racines antiasthmatique, antiseptique, ulcre d'estomac,
tuberculose pulmonaire
Artemisia interne plante entire antidiabtique, diurtique, stomachique
absinthium
externe plante entire antiseptique des blessures
Arum italicum interne tubercules douleurs physiques, rhume
Ballota nigra interne partie arienne digestif, antivomitif
Borago officinalis interne feuilles, constipation
sommits fleuries
Brassica externe feuilles vertige
amplexicaulis
Calicotome spinosa interne racines antifatigue
Capsella bursa- externe feuilles pistaxis
pastoris
Carthamus externe racines cicatrisant des brlures
caeruleus
Centaurium interne feuilles, fleurs fivre, maux d'estomac, diabte, vermifuge
erythraea
Cerinthe major externe feuilles rhumatisme
externe feuilles eczma
Ceterach interne plante entire calculs urinaires
officinarum
Chrysanthemum externe plante entire soins capillaires
segetum
externe plante entire dmangeaisons du corps
Cistus salvifolius externe partie arienne Pityriasis versicolor (champignon)
Clematis flammula interne feuilles asepsie de la bouche
externe feuilles antigoutteux

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Crataegus interne fleurs normalise la tension artrielle

monogyna
interne fruits antifatigue
Cynara cardunculus interne racines diabte, problmes d'estomac
Cynodon dactylon interne rhizomes rhumatisme, manque de moelle osseuse
Cytisus villosus interne feuilles hmorrodes, cicatrisant
externe feuilles hmostatique des blessures
Daphne gnidium externe feuilles douleurs dorsales
Ecballium elaterium interne fruits jaunisse, anorexie (bbs)
externe feuilles eczma
Equisetum interne plante entire strilit masculine
ramosissimum
externe plante entire croissance des cheveux
Erica arborea interne fleurs calculs urinaires
externe fleurs taches de rousseur
Erigeron canadensis interne feuilles fbrifuge, anorexie
Eucalyptus globulus interne feuilles rhume
Ficus carica interne fruits secs antiasthmatique
externe latex verrues
Foeniculum vulgare interne fleurs antivomitif
Fraxinus interne graines fortifiant
angustifolia
interne graines fbrifuge
externe graines douleurs corporelles
Fumaria capreolata externe plante entire taches de la peau
externe plante entire meilleure forme (bbs)
Galactites interne tiges vermifuge
tomentosa
Globularia alypum interne tiges feuilles hypotenseur, fbrifuge, maux d'estomac, maux de
tte
Hedera helix externe feuilles rhumatisme articulaire, antivenimeux (serpents,
scorpions)
Hyoseris radiata interne fleurs problmes d'estomac
interne feuilles favorise le transit intestinal
Inula viscosa externe feuilles antiseptique des blessures, brlures, courbatures
Juglans regia externe corce douleurs dentaires, aphtes
racines
Laurus nobilis interne feuilles problmes respiratoires
graines
Lavandula stoechas interne sommits fleuries curs malades, problmes circulatoires, problmes
digestifs
Lonicera etrusca interne feuilles pectorale
Malva sylvestris externe feuilles oreillons
externe feuilles mrir un bouton (maturatif)
interne feuilles et fleurs rhume, douleurs d'estomac
Marrubium vulgare interne plante entire digestif, antivomitif, maux d'estomac
Melissa officinalis interne feuilles hypotenseur, hmorrodes, diabte

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Mentha pulegium interne partie arienne stomachique, laxative, problmes respiratoires

interne partie arienne rhume
Mentha rotundifolia interne feuilles stomachique, maux de tte, rhume, vertige, frigidit
externe feuilles antiseptique des blessures
Mentha viridis interne plante entire carminative, stomachique, calme les nerfs,
refroidissement
Myrtus communis interne feuilles diabte, favorise la circulation sanguine
interne fruits bon fonctionnement de l'estomac
Nasturtium interne partie arienne rhume, grippe, infection rnale, faiblesse des bbs
officinale
Nerium oleander externe feuilles diabte, hypoglycmiant
externe latex verrues
Nigella sativa interne graines hmorrodes internes
interne graines pharyngite, amygdalite
Ocimum basilicum interne plante entire conjonctivite, mal de route
Olea europaea var. interne feuilles rage de dents
oleaster
Opuntia ficus-indica interne fleurs diarrhe, hmorrodes
Orchis italica interne tubercules impuissance sexuelle
Origanum interne partie arienne maladies respiratoires, problmes digestifs
glandulosum
Papaver rhoeas interne fleurs (ptales) rougeole
Paronychia interne plante entire calculs urinaires
argentea
Picris echioides interne feuilles et tiges ulcre d'estomac
interne fleurs fbrifuge
externe feuilles cicatrisant, maux de tte
Pinus halepensis interne rsine antiasthmatique
Pistacia lentiscus interne feuilles et fruits hypotenseur, antidiabtique
interne jeunes pousses anorexie, maux d'estomac
Polygonum interne partie arienne diarrhe
aviculare
Polypodium australe interne feuilles (frondes) angine, pharyngite
Prunus avium interne racines maladies du rein
Prunus cerasus interne queues de cerise anurie
Prunus amygdalus interne fruits antidiabtique
var. amara
Pteridium aquilinum externe partie arienne gale
Pulicaria odora externe feuilles antiseptique des blessures
Punica granatum interne graines hypocholestrolmiant
interne fruits ulcre d'estomac
Quercus interne cupules anurie, maux d'estomac
rotundifolia
interne fruits hyperacidit
Rhamnus alaternus interne feuilles jaunisse
interne feuilles rhume
Rosa canina externe fleurs chute de cheveux

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Rosmarinus interne feuilles et fleurs hypotenseur, anmie, maladies du foie

officinalis
Rubus ulmifolius interne feuilles et jeunes stomachique, rhume, crises d'estomac, diabte,
pousses maladies respiratoires
Rumex interne feuilles rhume
conglomeratus
interne feuilles transit intestinal
Ruta montana interne partie arienne indigestion, maux d'estomac
interne racines impuissance sexuelle
Salix pedicellata interne feuilles douleurs rhumatismales
Sambucus nigra externe feuilles douleurs rhumatismales, courbatures, rougeole
Scolymus hispanicus externe feuilles hmostatique des blessures
Silene inflata interne plante entire anorexie
interne plante entire problmes digestifs
Smyrnium olusatrum externe racines douleurs rhumatismales
interne tige douleur dentaire
Sonchus oleraceus interne feuilles diabte, contre l'obsit
externe latex eczma
Tamarix gallica interne feuilles asthme, maladies du foie
Tamus communis externe tubercules engelures, eczma
Teucrium polium interne plante entire hypotenseur, stomachique
Thapsia garganica interne racines affaiblissement, amaigrissement, fbrifuge
externe racines douleurs rhumatismales
Thymus numidicus interne partie arienne rhume, grippe
Umbilicus vulgaris externe plante entire engelures
Urginea maritima interne bulbes gale
Urtica dioica interne racines douleurs rhumatismales
interne feuilles ruptions allergiques
externe racines soins capillaires
Verbascum externe feuilles basales douleurs rhumatismales, sciatiques
sinuatum
Vicia faba interne graines hyperacidit
externe feuilles eczma

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Figures

Fig. 1. Carte de localisation des 8 communes tudies de la wilaya de Tizi Ouzou [n 60]

Lamiaces 13

Autres familles 30

Astraces 12

Rosaces 6

Renonculaces 2
Polygonaces 2 Fabaces/Papilionaces 4

Olaces 2
Liliaces 4
Myrtaces 2
Apiaces 3
Ericaces 2
Brassicaces 3
Caryophyllaces 2
Polypodiaces s.l. 3
Caprifoliaces 2
Araces 2
Boraginaces 2 Aristolochiaces 2

Fig. 2. Nombre despces vgtales par familles (spectre systmatique)

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40
40

35

29
30

24

25 21

20 17
15

15 11

8
10
5

5 1

0
PI PD PC PR PM PN PU PG PV AP

Fig. 3. Nombre de plantes utilises selon les groupes de pathologies

Lgende : PI : Pathologie gastro-intestinale et bucco-dentaire ; PD : Pathologie dermique ; PC : Pathologie
du systme cardio-vasculaire et sanguin ; PR : Pathologie du systme broncho-pulmonaire et de la
sphre ORL ; PM : Pathologie musculaire et squelettique ; PN : Pathologie du systme nerveux et
mental ; PU : Pathologie du systme urinaire ; PG : Pathologie de la sphre gyncologique ; PV :
Pathologie du systme visuel ; AP : Autres pathologies (difficiles classer ailleurs).

Points-lignes et points-colonnes (axes F1 et F2 : 30 %)

2
Salix pedicellata
Cynodon dactylon
Calicotome spinosa
Daphne gnidium
Sambucus nigra
1,5 Inula viscosa
PM Cerinthe major
Urtica dioica
Fumaria capreolata

1
PD

0,5
AP
-- axe F2 (15 %) -->

0
PR
Ajuga iva
Nasturtium officinale
PN
PC
-0,5 PI
Erica arborea
PV

-1 Allium triquetrum

Acanthus mollis
Ruta montana Quercus rotundifolia
-1,5

PG PU
-2
Prunus cerasus
Paronychia argentea
Orchis italica Ceterach officinarum
Equisetum ramosissimum
Prunus avium
-2,5
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-- axe F1 (15 %) -->

Fig. 4. Plan factoriel des axes 1-2 de lAFC (10 groupes de pathologies x 98 plantes)

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Vomissements 3
Ulcre d'estomac 3
Transit intestinal 3
Problmes circulatoires 3
Maladies des reins 3
Grippe et refroidissements 3
Gale 3
Diarrhe et dysenterie 3
Calculs urinaires 3
Anurie 3
Maux de tte 4
Faiblesse (surtout bbs) 4
Douleurs dentaires 4
Constipation 4
Hmorrodes 5
Eczma 5
Douleurs physiques et dorsales 5
Asthme 5
Anorexie 5
Maladies respiratoires 6
Fivre 6
Hypertension artrielle 8
Rhumatismes 9
Blessures et brlures 9
Rhume 10
Diabte 12
Maux d'estomac et problmes digestifs 24

0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Nombre de plantes

Fig. 5. Le nombre de plantes utilises pour soigner les maladies les plus frquentes

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Scolyme d'Espagne (Scolymus hispanicus) Concombre d'ne (Ecballium elaterium)

[photo R. Meddour] [photo R. Meddour]

Grand Mlinet (Cerinthe major)

Ortie dioque (Urtica dioica) [photo R. Meddour]
[photo R. Meddour]

Cresson des fontaines (Nasturtium

Coquelicot (Papaver rhoeas) officinale) [photo R. Meddour]
[photo R. Meddour]

200
 Actes du sminaire international Revue des Rgions Arides, n Spcial, pp :181-201
Plantes Aromatiques et Mdicinales [Meddour R. & al.,]
SIPAM 2009

Gouet capuchon (Arisarum vulgare)

[photo R. Meddour]

Bourrache (Borago officinalis)

[photo R. Meddour]

Galactite tomenteuse (Galactites tomentosa)

[photo R. Meddour]

201