Nutritional Assessment and Comparison of the Composition of Oil Extracted from Argan Nuts Collected from a Plantation and Two Natural Forest Stands of ARGAN Trees

Abstract

Argan oil (AO), extracted from the argan tree’s fruits, is principally composed of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, tocopherols, and sterols. This unique chemical composition is likely to be responsible for its beneficial effects. The argan tree (Argania spinosa) grows endemically in the southwest of Morocco. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of three types of argan oil from three geographical locations: argan oil extracted from argan nuts collected from a plantation (Casablanca, AOC) and two forest stands of argan trees growing naturally in their native environment of the south-west of Morocco ((regions of Essaouira (AOE) and Taroudant (AOT)). The composition of the three oils corresponds to the known composition of argan oil in terms of fatty acids and unsaponifiable fraction. The chemical analyses revealed that the argan oil extracted from the plantations (AOC) is significantly richer in linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and tocopherols compared to the oil from the two natural stands (AOE and AOT) of argan trees. These results suggest that it is possible to facilitate an assisted migration of the argan tree outside its natural area into sites exposed to sea spray without affecting the quality of its argan oil.