Pistacia Atlantica in folk medicine is used by Algerian traditional healers for treating a wide variety of diseases and conditions including dyspepsia, digestive problems, peptic ulcers, and, in particular, inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity (using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS+, and reducing power methods), enzyme inhibitory activity (towards α-amylase and urease), antibacterial activity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica collected from different parts of the Djelfa region of Algeria. According to the findings, various aqueous extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and enzymatic activities in all tests, but showed that they have a weak inhibitory effect against all tested bacterial strains. Twenty-one minerals comprising both macro- and microelements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, U, and Zn) were determined using the technique of neutron activation analysis (INAA). The result indicates that the concentration of the mineral element is close to the minimal FAO recommendation. In addition, the result revealed significant anti-inflammatory activities. The data generated can be a valuable source of information for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. These results suggest that the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica have an appropriate potential to be utilized across a wide range of contexts as an agent with multifunctional uses, as well as a natural remedy for other physiological diseases.

The current study investigated the effect of developmental stages on the chemical composition and the antioxidant activity of fifteen crude oil samples obtained from Pistacia atlantica Desf. leaves, galls, and fruits. Twelve fatty acids were detected by GC/FID, linolenic acid (C18 : 3) was the major fatty acid detected in leaves crude oils that registered [41.73 % (P<0.05)] on the last stage. The best content of tocopherols and carotenoids was recorded at the last stage for leaves and galls oils, respectively, with values of [1.530±0.01, 0.52±0.01 (P<0.05) mg α‐tocopherol equivalent/g DW] and [86.60±0.95, 69.15±0.13 (P<0.05) μg β‐carotene equivalent/g DW]. For fruits oils, the content varied depending on the levels of fruits maturation. The results from DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays revealed that the antioxidant activity increased with the increasing content of tocopherols and carotenoids in leaves and galls oils during development stages, and varied for fruits oils depending on the ripening stages. Moreover, according to PCA analysis, the best phytoconstituent content and antioxidant activity were attributed to P. atlantica Desf. fruit's crude oils. Also, a strong relationship was found between the antioxidant activity and bioactive phytochemical components, such as tocopherols, carotenoids, and omega‐three fatty acid, which confirmed that P. atlantica Desf. crude oils present a valuable source of natural antioxidant that could be used for pharmaceutical and food industries purposes.

Pistacia atlantica fruit oil has been used for a long time by local populations for culinary and medicinal purposes. In this study, the fatty acid composition and tocopherol content were determined in twelve samples of P. atlantica fruit oil at three stages of maturation (immature, intermediate maturity and mature) collected in three different sites from the region of Laghouat. The results indicated a significant difference between the oil of mature fruits (green and black) and the immature ones (light red), which were distinguished by richness in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The oil from fruits of intermediate maturity (dark red) seems to combine these properties with those of the mature group, including oil yields. Such data emphasize the value of this oil, which needs further investigation.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the maturation degree on the chemical composition of Pistacia atlantica fruits oil. A total number of 21 samples of fruits at three stages of maturation (unripe, middle maturity, and ripe fruits) were used in this study. Thus, the fatty acid composition was studied; the percentage of the unsaponifiable matter (w/w) and its anti-DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) activity were assessed. The total phenolic compound content was also evaluated. The obtained results indicated, for the first time, that unripe fruits oil was characterized by richness in linoleic acid (31.63% AE 3.64%), in unsaponifiable matter (9.29% AE 6.19% w/w), and in phenolic compounds (2.51 mg per 100 g oil). For ripe fruit oil, these values were similar to those of some seed oils (22.41% AE 3.66%, 2.98% AE 1.71% w/w, and 0.13 mg per 100 g oil, respectively). Data analysis by principal component analysis showed that linoleic acid percentage and the unsaponifiable fraction percentage could constitute good markers for these fruits. These two parameters associated with a high level of phenolic compounds seem to distinguish and value the oil of P. atlantica unripe fruits. Thus, the findings revealed that the unripe fruits, rich in bioactive molecules such as unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds, would be the optimal stage of harvesting time. Based on this, we could integrate this natural bioresource in industrial applications. J Am Oil Chem Soc (2019) 96: 903-910The code is composed of a number indicating the site, a first letter indicating the tree (if there is more than one per site) and letters in brackets indicating the color of the fruit. In the case where second picking on the same tree is performed an additional sign (') was added. 904J Am Oil Chem Soc J Am Oil Chem Soc (2019) 96: 903-910

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