nan A.Abourriche

Methoxybifurcarenone: an antifungal and antibacterial meroditerpenoid from the brown alga Cystoseira tamariscifolia

A meroditerpenoid metabolite has been isolated from the brown alga Cystoseira tamariscifolia and characterized as methoxybifurcarenone, by spectral analysis. Methoxybifurcarenone possesses antifungal activity against three tomato pathogenic fungi: Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum sp. mycopersici and Verticillium alboatrum and antibacterial activity against Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Escherichia coli.

LC-MS/MS Analysis of MDMA in Ecstasy Tablets in Morocco

Ecstasy is a popular name designated for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It displays effects related to amphetamine-type drugs and a set of distinctive effects like restlessness, well-being, and others effects. The aim of this work is to analyze ecstasy tablets seized in Morocco; studying their MDMA contents and their MDMA contents variations. We collected 12 batches of samples seized by Morocco Police that were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem Mass Spectrometry to determine MDMA concentration presents in these tablets. The method was also validated in the following parameters: linearity, limits of detection and of quantification, precision and accuracy, to permit the MDMA quantification. A great variability among ecstasy tablets compositions was detected and the toxicological features were discussed.

Chemical recycling of carbon fibers-reinforced phenolic resin composites by phenol in subcritical conditions

In this work, a composite prepared with a phenolic matrix and reinforced with carbon fibers was subjected to degradation by phenol under subcritical conditions. Phenol was able to solubilize the resin matrix under relatively mild conditions (T ≤ 390 °C, P < 0.5 MPa) without altering the carbon fibers, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and by mechanical characterization of the fibers recovered after heat treatment.

Chemical characterization of Cinachyrella tarentina: Sponge of Atlantic Moroccan Coast

Currently, marine organisms are a very important source of new molecules in pharmacology and thus in the development of new bioactive products. Sponges, in particular, given their very primitive origin and persistence during evolution, have developed a chemical defense system.The chemical study of Cinachyrella tarentina, marine sponge recognized by its antibacterial and antifungal activity was investigated for the first time in Morocco. The screening of Cinachyrella tarentina revels that it contains different levels of primary and secondary metabolites. The dosage of polyphenols was carried out using the reagent Foulin-Ciocalteu. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH test. The fatty acid composition determined by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed a predominance of palmitic and stearic acids. Furthermore, we found the presence of several sterols which cholesterol and sitosterol are the most abundants.

Optimization of conditions for the preparation of new adsorbent material from residues of marine algae applying a response surface methodology

An experimental design has been drawn up to optimize the experimental conditions of the preparation of an adsorbent material from residues of marine algae. A series of adsorbent materials have been prepared by chemical activation with phosphoric acid. Central composite design (CCD) was applied to study the influence of activation temperature, activation time and percentage of phosphoric acid on the chemical activation process of adsorbent material. Two quadratic models were developed for yield of adsorbent material and methylene blue adsorption capacity using Design-Expert software NEMRODW. The models were used to calculate the optimum operating conditions for preparation of adsorbent material providing a compromise between yield and adsorption capacity of the process. The optimal conditions with 93.77% of methylene blue adsorption capacity and 66.14 % of adsorbent material yield are obtained when using 150 min as activation time, 225°C as activation temperature and 70% as percentage of phosphoric acid.