Phenolic composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from the fruit pulp of the argan tree

Abstract

The study of the chemical composition of essential oils, the pulp of argan leachate, the phenolic compounds and the identification of the biological activity of secondary metabolites making it possible to increase the industrial and commercial value of the argan tree in the field of cosmetics, therapeutics and nutraceuticals and to allow the protection of the argan tree and the extension of the arganieraie. After the extraction and purification of the polyphenolic compounds and the essential oils of the argan fruit pulp, we used high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy (LC/UV/MS). This technique allowed us to identify 16 phenolic compounds by comparing their LC/MS mass spectrum and their retention time with literature data. The main phenolic compounds found in the fruit of the argan tree are phenolic acids, flavonoids-O-rhamnoglucosides, flavonoids-O-glycosides, flavan-3-ols and flavones. Our results also show that the pulp contains a latex which is a polyisoprene whose structure has been elucidated. Furthermore, the GC/MS analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oils of the fruit pulp of the argan tree has identified several terpenes, the majority of which are camphor, 1,8-cineode and borneol. The presence of camphor in appreciable quantity in the fruit pulp of the argan tree is very interesting because it has an insecticidal activity, these activities could be valorized on the industrial level. The essential oil of the fruit pulp of the argan tree contains phenolic compounds with antioxidant effect and terpenes with insecticidal effect can lead to its use in phytotherapy.