Kawtar Fikri Benbrahim

First report on the occurrence of the uncultivated cluster 2 Frankia microsymbionts in soil outside the native actinorhizal host range area.

The occurrence of uncultivated Frankia was evaluated in Tunisian soils by a plant-trapping assay using Coriaria myrtifolia seedlings. Despite the lack of this compatible host plant for more than two centuries, soil-borne Frankia cells were detected in one sampled soil as shown by the development of root nodules on 2-year-old seedlings. Based on glnA sequences, Tunisian trapped Frankia strains belong to the uncultivated cluster 2 strains that associate with other Coriaria species and also with Ceanothus, Datisca and Rosaceae actinorhizal species. This is the first report on the occurrence of Frankia cluster 2 strains in soils from areas lacking compatible host plant groups.

Volatile Components and Antibacterial Profile of Essential Oils Extracted from Leaves and Twigs of Pistacia lentiscus L.

Aims: The present work aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential oils of two different parts of Pistacia lentiscus (leaves and twigs) and to determine their chemical composition. Study Design: An experimental study Place and Duration of Study:

Bacteriostatic and Bactericidal Profile of Leaves and Twigs Essential oils of Moroccan Pistacia lentiscus L.

Taoufik Haloui , Abdellah Farah , Mounyr Balouiri , Marwa Chraibi , Mouhcine Fadil , Kawtar Fikri Benbrahim , Aziz Belrhiti Alaoui 1 1 Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, BP 2202 Road Imouzzer. Fez, Morocco. 2 Laboratory of Aromatic Plants, Medicinal and Natural Substances, National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 159. Taounate, 34025, Morocco. 3 Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology Saiss. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O.Box 2202. Fez, Morocco.

Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of Moroccan Pelargonium asperum essential oil

ABSTRACT In the aim of valorizing aromatic and medicinal plants from Morocco, this work focuses on the chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of Pelargonium asperum essential oil against 11 microbial strains causing problems in the medical and food domain. The chemical profile of the volatile oil was investigated by GC/MS. The major compounds were citronellol (26.98%), geraniol (14.12%), isomenthone (8.80%), linalool (4.97%), citronellyl formate (3.1%), followed by geranyl formate (4.07%) and guai-6,9-diene (4.24%). The results of antimicrobial activity by using the broth microdilution method indicated that essential oil of Pelargonium asperum exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms with the strongest inhibitory effect against yeasts. The MICs values ranged from 0.003% to 0.25% (v/v) for all strains, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was least susceptible and inhibited by 2% (v/v). These results suggest that Pelargonium asperum oil could be used for the development of new antimicrobial agents.