The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of several populations of Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae), collected from four areas of south-eastern of Tunisia (Bengardane, Benikhdache, Jerba and Tataouine), was analysed by GC-MS. Thirteen to fifteen components were identified in each sample, representing more than 95% of the total oil. All samples were dominated by the presence ofˇ-pinene (24.2-27.9%), p-cymene (17.4-22.3%) and˛-pinene (4.1-11.0%), representing more than 45% of the total oil. The distribution of other components in the different extracts was qualitatively and quantitatively irregular. The variability of the composition can be attributed to the climatic and geographical conditions among areas.

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The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of arsenic on liver fatty acids (FA) composition, hepatotoxicity and oxidative status markers in rats. Male rats were randomly devised to six groups (n=10 per group) and exposed to sodium arsenate at a dose of 1 and 10 mg/l for 45 and 90 days. Arsenate exposure is associated with significant changes in the FA composition in liver. A significant increase of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in all treated groups (p<0.01) and trans unsaturated fatty acids (trans UFA) in rats exposed both for short term for 10 mg/l (p<0.05) and long term for 1 and 10 mg/l (p<0.001) was observed. However, the cis UFA were significantly decreased in these groups (p<0.05). A markedly increase of indicator in cell membrane viscosity expressed as SFA/UFA was reported in the treated groups (p<0.001). A significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde by 38.3 % after 90 days of exposure at 10 mg/l was observed. Compared to control rats, significant liver damage was observed at 10 mg/l of arsenate by increasing plasma marker enzymes after 90 days. It is through the histological investigations in hepatic tissues of exposed rats that these damage effects of arsenate were confirmed. The antioxidant perturbations were observed to be more important at groups treated by the high dose (p<0.05). An increase in the level of protein carbonyls was observed in all treated groups (p<0.05). The present study provides evidence for a direct effect of arsenite on FA composition disturbance causing an increase of SFA and TFAs isomers, liver dysfunction and oxidative stress. Therefore, arsenate can lead to hepatic damage and propensity towards liver cancer.

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Six groups of rats (n = 10 per group) were exposed to 1 and 10 mg/l of sodium arsenate for 45 and 90 days. Kidneys from treated groups exposed to arsenic showed higher levels of trans isomers of oleic and linoleic acids as trans C181n-9, trans C18:1n-11, and trans C18:2n-6 isomers. However, a significant decrease in eicosenoic (C20:1n-9) and arachidonic (C20:4n-6) acids were observed in treated rats. Moreover, the "Δ5 desaturase index" and the saturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio were increased. There was a significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde at 10 mg/l of treatment and in the amount of conjugated dienes after 90 days (p < 0.05). Significant kidney damage was observed at 10 mg/l by increase of plasma marker enzymes. Histological studies on the ultrastructure changes of kidney supported the toxic effect of arsenate exposure. Arsenate intoxication activates significantly the superoxide dismutase at 10 mg/l for 90 days, whereas the catalase activity was markedly inhibited in all treated groups (p < 0.05). In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased at 45 days and dramatically declined after 90 days at 10 mg/l (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the level of glutathione was marked for the groups treated for 45 and 90 days at 1 mg/l followed by a significant decrease for rats exposed to 10 mg/l for 90 days. An increase in the level of protein carbonyl was observed in all treated groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for a direct effect of arsenate on fatty acid (FA) metabolism which concerns the synthesis pathway of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and leads to an increase in the trans FAs isomers. Therefore, FA-induced arsenate kidney damage could contribute to trigger kidney cancer.

Virgin olive oil is a unique oil that can be consumed directly without any refining process. This particularity is due to the exceptional quality and flavour formed by the presence of more than 100 volatile compounds. Nine new hybrids obtained by controlled crossing of the Chemlali and seven ancient Mediterranean varieties cultivated in the same orchard under identical agronomic and pedoclimatic conditions were characterised by their main volatile compounds quantified by dynamic headspace-gas chromatography-MS. More than 40 volatile compounds from the main chemical groups, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones and esters, were identified by GC-MS and confirmed by their Linear Retention Index (LRI). Compounds produced from the lipoxygenase pathway were studied to determine the genetic potential and the influence on each crossing. Finally, Ward's method test and Pearson PCA analysis were used to check the ability of the volatiles to cluster the varietal virgin olive oils according to their genetics origin.

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