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Capparis spinosa shows strong resistance to the adverse Mediterranean conditions and it has nutritional and medicinal value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of total phenolic compounds, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids and vitamin C in leaves and flower buds of C. spinosa from different locations in Tunisia. Results showed the richness of caper with these compounds, especially phenolic compounds. Interestingly, it was also found the presence of both α- and γ-tocopherol in buds. Moreover, C. spinosa contained an appreciable level of vitamin C. The significant amounts of these antioxidants confirm the nutritional and medicinal value of caper.

Drupes were handpicked from olive (Olea europaea L.) trees, cv chemlali, at 13 distinct stages of fruit development, referred to as weeks after flowering (WAF), and analyzed for their free and esterified sterols and triterpenoids content. These two classes of compounds are synthesized via the acetate/mevalonate pathway and share common precursors up to oxidosqualene (OS). Cyclization of OS in either cycloartenol or beta-amyrin constitutes a branch point between primary (sterol pathway) and secondary (triterpenoid pathway) metabolisms. At the onset of fruit development, i.e., between 12 and 18 WAF, drupes were found to contain high amounts of alpha- and beta-amyrins as well as more-oxygenated compounds such as triterpenic diols (erythrodiol and uvaol) and acids (oleanolic, ursolic and maslinic acids). Concomitantly, sterol precursors were barely detectable. From 21 WAF, when the olive fruit reached its final size and began to turn from green to purple, alpha- and beta-amyrins were no longer present, while 4,4-dimethyl- and 4alpha-methylsterols started to be formed, indicating a redirection of the carbon flux from the triterpenoid pathway towards the sterol pathway. Between 21 and 30 WAF, sterol end products, mainly represented by sitosterol, progressively accumulated and triterpenic diols were replaced by triterpenic acids, essentially maslinic acid. Interestingly, the developing olive fruit was found to accumulate significant amounts of parkeol as an ester conjugate. Whatever the stage of development, triterpenoids represent the major triterpenic compounds of the olive fruit.

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High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, and violaxanthin) and tocopherols of leaves, buds, and flowers of Tunisian Capparis spinosa. This plant shows strong resistance to hard environmental conditions, and it is one of the most commonly found aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. In this study, the means of the total carotenoids were 3452.5 +/- 1639.4, 1002 +/- 518.5, and 342.7 +/- 187.9 microg/g fresh weight (FW) in leaves, buds, and flowers, respectively. Lutein accounts for the high content. Violaxanthin provided the lowest portion of the total carotenoids. The principal form of tocopherol detected in leaves was alpha-tocopherol (20.19 +/- 10 mg/100 g FW). In buds and flowers, there were both alpha- (49.12 +/- 17.48 and 28.68 +/- 9.13 mg/100 g FW, respectively) and gamma-tocopherol (48.13 +/- 15.08 and 27.8 +/- 16.01 mg/100 g FW, respectively). The combined content of pro-vitamin A and vitamin E in capers encourages researchers to more explore and find developments for this plant.

Capparis spinosa is widely distributed all over the Mediterranean Basin. Fatty acid composition of oils of C. spinosa from seven Tunisian regions was determined. The oil content of the seeds ranged from 23.25 to 33.64% on a dry weight basis. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for the majority of the fatty acids. Oleic acid with 45.82% was the main fatty acid followed by linoleic acid (25.37%), palmitic acid (15.93%), palmitoleic acid (4.55%) and stearic acid (4.06%). C. spinosa seed oil also contained a high level of tocopherols (ca. 628 mg/100 g). g-Tocopherol was the major homologue (ca. 92%), followed by a-tocopherol (ca. 4%) and d-tocopherol (ca. 2%). Seed oil of C. spinosa contained high amounts of carotenoids (ca. 457 mg/100 g). The contents of b-carotene (as pro-vitamin A) were also very significant (ca. 375 mg/100 g). Results encourage the use of this plant species as a new source of vegetable oil for nutritional, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications.

Natural chemical compounds are a widely researched topic worldwide because of their potential activity against cerebrovascular diseases. Chemicals from Juniperus phoenicea berries are reported in this study. Lipids (11%) from seeds are mainly unsaturated (86%). Minerals are also quantified like Na (63.8 mg per 100 g DW) or K (373.9 mg per 100 g DW). Total reduced sugars are ca 192.6 mg g(-1) DW. Polyphenols and flavonoids from berries are highly present with an average of 1764 ± 174.3 mg gallic acid per 100 g DW and 890 ± 47.6 mg rutin per 100 g DW, respectively. Mean free radical scavenging activities, determined by DPPH and ABTS, are 1337 ± 126.2 mM TEAC per 100 g DW and 1105.7 ± 95.9 mM TEAC per 100 g DW, respectively. All findings improve the possible presence of biologically active fractions in phytocomplex that could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.

-Twenty-six provenances (2 340 plants) of cork oak (Quercus suber spp.) originating from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia were tested for genetic variation among and within provenances by growth traits. Seven morphometrical characters were measured in 90 plants from each provenance. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for all characters. The phenotypic coefficient of differentiation reached 0.24 for the form and 0.22 for height, thus revealing a strong structuring between the provenances. Comparative study of growth among the provenances revealed more vigorous growth and better survival rate for those from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, which may constitute better materials for afforestation. Furthermore, this variability appeared to be geographically structured and would be mainly genetically controlled, as cork oak provenances were cultivated under the same environmental conditions. Our results should be helpful for guide forest managers in afforestation. Quercus suber / variabilité génétique / reforestation / plantes méditerranéennes