The findings of this study provide a first picture of the main characteristics of olives and oils currently produced in Lebanon. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

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-Introduction. Although almond (Prunus dulcis L.) is one of the most important cultivated fruit trees in Lebanon, cultivated accessions have not yet been inventoried, and the identity of the varieties is unknown. Our study therefore aimed at assessing the genetic diversity of cultivated almonds in Lebanon using morphological characters. Materials and methods. Field surveys were performed in 2002-2003 with the aim of collecting different accessions of cultivated almond trees throughout the country. Thirty-six accessions were characterized in their cultivated habitats by using 20 qualitative and quantitative traits related mainly to the fruit, according to descriptors previously established by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). Results. A large diversity was revealed among accessions, probably due to genetic differences. Based on the qualitative studied traits, the dendogram indicated that most of the accessions were clearly distinguishable and only two cases of synonymy were observed. They have been clustered into three main groups at 0.37 of Jaccard similarity distance. Conclusion. This study needs to be completed by a DNA analysis, in order to highlight the influence of environmental conditions on the variability in the P. dulcis germplasm and to confirm the genetic distances among accessions. Lebanon / Prunus dulcis / genetic variation / genetic resources / germplasm / agronomic characters / nuts Caractérisation morphologique des amandiers cultivés au Liban.Résumé -Introduction. Bien que l'amandier (Prunus dulcis L.) soit l'une des espèces fruitières les plus importantes au Liban, les formes cultivées n'ont pas encore été inventoriées ou identifiées. Notre étude a donc consisté en une caractérisation morphologique des amandiers du Liban. Matériel et méthodes. Des prospections menées en 2002-2003 ont permis de collecter 36 accessions d'amandier et de les caractériser dans leurs habitats naturels. Vingt descripteurs qualitatifs et quantitatifs, du fruit principalement, précédemment établis par l'Institut international des ressources phytogénétiques (IPGRI), ont été utilisés. Résultats. Une diversité importante est apparue au sein des accessions étudiées ; elle pourrait être d'origine géné-tique. Le dendogramme construit sur la base des caractères qualitatifs étudiés indique que la plupart des accessions se distinguent bien les unes des autres et seulement deux cas de synonymie ont été repérés. Ces accessions ont pu être structurées en trois groupes à une distance de Jaccard de 0.37. Conclusion. Cette étude a besoin d'être complétée par une analyse d'ADN, afin d'examiner l'influence des facteurs environnementaux sur la variabilité du germplasm d'amandier et de confirmer les distances génétiques révélées entre les accessions.Liban / Prunus dulcis / variation génétique / ressource génétique / germplasm / caractère agronomique / fruits à coque

Twelve batches of labneh were manufactured by using the traditional method and also by ultrafiltration (UF) of yogurt at temperatures ranging from 35°‐55° C. The labneh samples contained 21.3–26.4% total solids (including minerals and unmetabolized lactose), 6.6–9.3% protein and 9.8–12.6% fat. The highest flux rate during UF was observed at temperatures 50° C, but the total viable counts of the starter organisms were lower when compared with labneh concentrated at 45° C. Portions of each of the labneh samples were smoothed using a lactic curd homogenizer fitted with different homogenizer heads (D‐170 and D‐280). Homogenization markedly affected the firmness of labneh and is therefore recommended to smooth the product using homogenizer head D‐280 because it causes less turbulence.

Tunisia is one of the world’s largest producers of olive oil, and it preserves pools of olive genetic diversity that are still unexplored. A recent prospection and collection program of the National Gene Bank of Tunisia (NGBT) focused on the vast oasis of Degache, in the south west part of Tunisia, where 47 samples were collected and genetically characterized through simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Identification and authentication of genotypes were obtained through comparison with reference cultivars belonging to the Olive National Collection of Tunisia (IOC) and with cultivars from Algeria, Italia, Syria and Lebanon. Degache olive genotypes showed large genetic variability, a significant diversity from the reference germplasm, and a clear differentiation from modern varieties. The population structure analysis identified four gene pools characterizing genotypes from different area of origin. Two gene pools appear to be more represented in germplasm from southern Tunisia, where environmental conditions at critical plant development phases, are harsher. This suggests that this germplasm might present traits of adaptation useful for breeding to improve resilience to abiotic stresses. Our results will support ex situ and in situ conservation activities of Tunisian olive germplasm pursued by the National Gene Bank of Tunisia.

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