Valorization of Mediterranean and African Vegetal Biodiversity: Nutritional, Therapeutic and Biotechnological Aspects

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 2383

Special Issue Editors


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1. Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1A8, Canada
2. Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Meknes 50050, Morocco
Interests: type 2 diabetes; hypertension; obesity; oxidative stress; anti-oxidants; argan oil
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Team "Biochemistry of the Peroxisome, Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism", Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
Interests: lipids; oxysterols; fatty acids; polyphenols; oils; oxidation; inflammation; mitochondria; peroxisomes; lysosomes; apoptosis; autophagy; natural products; synthethic molecules; biomarkers; neurodegeneration; neurodegenerative diseases; aging; age-related diseases; nanoparticles; targeted therapy
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Guest Editor
Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Rabat, Morocco
Interests: biotechnology; cellular imaging; flow cytometry; immuno-informatic

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UMR 6265 CNRS, 1324 INRAE, Institut Agro Dijon, Université de Bourgogne, Equipe5, Neurobiologie des Comportements Alimentaires, CSGA, 9E, Boulevard Jeanne d’Arc, 21000 Dijon, France
Interests: bio-active polyphenols; resveratrol; peroxisome; inflammation; bio-availability; cancer; nutritherapy; pharmacology; mediterranean diet
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Africa is one of the largest continents in the world with the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Libya) in the north in contact with the Mediterranean basin, which is characterized by eating habits beneficial to health. The Mediterranean diet rich in nutrients such as polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids is one of the elements contributing to longevity and aging associated with a very low incidence of age-related diseases, in particular, cardiovascular diseases. Africa and the countries of the Mediterranean basin are associated with considerable plant biodiversity, the benefits of which are still to be discovered. Several emblematic plants of the Mediterranean basin (in particular, the olive tree, argan tree and saffron) provide derived products such as nutrient-rich edible oils. Edible olive oil and argan oil for food and cosmetics have acquired a reputation worldwide. In Africa, the cocoa tree and the coffee tree are emblematic trees. The products produced from it (coffee, cocoa) are world famous and contain several bioactive molecules as antioxidants. The African continent, including the Maghreb countries, is consequently a source of considerable plants and therefore molecular biodiversity. Better understanding this plant biodiversity, the products produced from it and the molecules associated with it are important socio-economic aspects that could lead to innovations in the agri-food, dietary, cosmetic, bio-technological and therapeutic fields. This Special Issue of the journal Plants entitled “Valorization of Mediterranean and African Vegetal Biodiversity: Nutritional, Therapeutic and Biotechnological Aspects” is open to studies highlighting African and Mediterranean plant biodiversity, to better understand and better promote this biodiversity while respecting and preserving it.

Dr. Adil El Midaoui
Dr. Gérard Hubert Lizard
Dr Fouad Seghrouchni
Prof. Dr. Norbert Latruffe
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • African plants
  • Mediterranean plants
  • dietary challenge
  • Mediterranean diet
  • phytotherapy
  • phytomedicine
  • food industry
  • nutrients
  • organelles
  • aging
  • age-related diseases
  • cancer
  • biotechnology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 1051 KiB  
Article
Tunisian Silybum Species: Important Sources of Polyphenols, Organic Acids, Minerals, and Proteins across Various Plant Organs
by Samah Maaloul, Maher Mahmoudi, Hédi Mighri, Imen Ghzaiel, Talel Bouhamda, Fayçal Boughalleb, Adil El Midaoui, Anne Vejux, Gérard Lizard and Raoudha Abdellaoui
Plants 2024, 13(7), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070989 - 29 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1186
Abstract
Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum are wild edible Mediterranean plants used in the human diet. This study presents the initial findings on the phytochemical characterization of Tunisian S. marianum and S. eburneum organs. It examined their mineral, sugar, organic acid, polyphenolic, and seed [...] Read more.
Silybum marianum and Silybum eburneum are wild edible Mediterranean plants used in the human diet. This study presents the initial findings on the phytochemical characterization of Tunisian S. marianum and S. eburneum organs. It examined their mineral, sugar, organic acid, polyphenolic, and seed storage protein contents, as well as their antioxidant potential. In S. marianum, stems had high sodium and potassium contents, while the immature and mature seeds were rich in calcium and magnesium. However, S. eburneum had high potassium levels in stems and high sodium and calcium levels in the flowers. S. marianum showed substantial fructose variation among its organs. Conversely, S. eburneum exhibited significant heterogeneity in glucose, sucrose, and maltose levels across its organs, with maltose exclusively detected in the immature seeds. A notable organ-dependent distribution of organic acids was observed among the two species. Higher levels of phenolic contents were detected in both mature and immature seeds in both species compared to the other plant parts. The seeds possessed higher antioxidant activities than other plant organs. In both S. marianum and S. eburneum seeds, albumins and globulins were the predominant protein fractions. This study brings evidence supporting the important potential of Silybum organs as sources of nutrients with antioxidant properties for producing functional food. Full article
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