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Argan Oil Research
Market-based conservation and local benefits: the case of argan oil in Morocco TJ Lybbert, CB Barrett, H Narjisse - Ecological Economics, 2002 Abstract Market-based approaches to biodiversity conservation gained popularity in the 1990s. The success of these strategies hinges on, first, the successful creation or expansion of target markets and, second, the beneficial involvement of local stakeholders in these markets so that improved incentives induce conservation. This paper evaluates these two key elements in the case of argan oil commercialization in southwestern Morocco. The principal finding is that even when locals appear well-positioned to reap ex post benefits, one can reject the hypothesis that successful resource commercialization necessarily stimulates local development and reduces poverty. Most locals participate only superficially in the new and expanded markets for argan oil, and the benefits that do trickle down to local households appear to be regressively distributed, both regionally and between households. The key lies in understanding how opening or expanding markets may induce endogenous product differentiation that easily excludes locals, especially the poor, and how ex ante market access—a variable commonly correlated with wealth—conditions households’ capacity to participate in market-induced producer windfalls. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Link to Article [pdf 301kb] Clinical and instrumental study of the efficacy of a new sebum control cream Hristo Dobrev, MD, PhD Background Some botanical compounds are considered useful to reduce sebum production. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a sebum control cream containing polyphenol-rich extract from saw palmetto, sesame seeds, and argan oil in subjects with oily facial skin. Methods The study was carried out during the winter months (January and February). A total of 20 healthy volunteers (9 male and 11 female, aged 17-50 years, 16 with oily skin and 4 with combined skin) were studied. The test product was applied twice daily to the face for a period of 4 weeks. A clinical assessment and instrumental measurements were done before and after the treatment period. Casual sebum level on the forehead and both cheeks was determined with a photometric device (Sebumeter). The quantity of sebum on the midforehead was determined using sebum collector foils (Sebufix), which were then evaluated with skin camera Visioscope and software SELS (Surface Evalua- tion of the Living Skin). A subjective evaluation questionnaire regarding the cosmetic characteristics, tolerance, and efficacy of the product was filled out by the volunteers at the end of study. Results The product was very well accepted by all the volunteers. A visible sebum- regulating efficacy was reported in 95% of them. After 4 weeks of treatment, the clinical assessment scores decreased by 33%. There was a significant reduction in the casual sebum level by 20% and area covered with oily spots by 42%. The number of active seba- ceous glands remained unaltered. Conclusion These results objectively and quantitatively show the efficacy of the sebum control cream tested to reduce the greasiness and improve the appearance of oily facial skin. Link to Article [pdf 208kb] Colorimetric Evaluation of Phenolic Content and GC-MS Characterization of Phenolic Composition of Alimentary and Cosmetic Argan Oil and Press Cake LUIS B. ROJAS, STEPHANE QUIDEAU, PATRICK PARDON, ZOUBIDA CHARROUF The global phenolic content of argan oil and press cake samples (alimentary and cosmetic) was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and the phenolic composition of argan oil (alimentary and cosmetic) and press cake (alimentary) samples were analyzed by GC-MS after extraction with 80:20 (v/v) methanol:water and silylation. Identification of chromatographic peaks was made by mass selective detection. Nineteen simple phenols were detected, 16 in press cake, 6 in the alimentary oil, and 7 in the cosmetic oil, among which 15 compounds [3-hydroxypyridine (3- pyridinol), 6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine, catechol, resorcinol, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, vanillin, 4-hy- droxyphenylacetic acid, vanillyl alcohol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenethyl alcohol, methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, hydroxytyrosol, protocatechuic acid, epicatechin, and catechin] were identified for the first time in such materials. Link to Article [pdf 79kb] Ethnoeconomical, Ethnomedical, and Phytochemical Study of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels: A Review. Zoubida Charrouf, Dominique Guillaume ABSTRACT. Populations of Morocco South-western part traditionally use the fruits of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels to prepare an edible oil whose obtention also furnishes, as side product, a cake used to feed the cattle and complements the forage furnished by the leaves of this same plant. Unfortunately, the wood of Argania spinosa is also used for fuel and deforestation is subsequently accelerated since populations are generally eager to replace argan groves by cultures of higher and immediate benefit. However, argan tree, that is particularly well adapted to grow in arid lands, has been proposed by several agencies to slow down the desert progress in northern Africa. In order to incite the South-western Morocco dwellers to reintroduce argan trees, a program aimed to increase the industrial value of Argania spinosa, and beginning by its phytochemical study, is currently carried out in Morocco. The results of these recent studies together with previous knowledge are summarised in this review. Link to Article [pdf 35kb] Secondary metabolites from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Zoubida Charrouf and Dominique Guillaume Abstract Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is a tree that plays a crucial role in the rural and urban economy of Morocco. Not only is the tree used in traditional medicine but its fruits contain almonds used to prepare an edible oil, its leaves are utilized to feed cattle, and its wood is used as fuel. In addition the tree is particularly well-adapted to arid lands and could hence be used to limit the desert progression that is threatening subtropical African countries. Consequently a program aimed at a better understanding of all the aspects and uses of the argan tree is currently being carried out in Morocco. This review summarizes the results gathered so far on the phytochemical and pharmacological activity of A. spinosa. Link to Article [pdf 174kb] Thermal stability and long-chain fatty acid positional distribution on glycerol of argan oil Farid Khallouki, Luisa Mannina, Stephane Viel, Robert W. Owen Abstract The primary aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stability of argan oils by using peroxides and conjugated diene hydroperoxides measurements as analytical indicators. Both food and cosmetic argan oils were investigated. Their oxidative stability was also determined by monitoring the relative changes of their fatty acid profiles by 1H NMR. In addition, valuable information regard- ing minor components as well as the acyl positional distribution, were obtained for both grades by high field 1H and 13C NMR, respec- tively. Given that the cosmetic and food grades have a similar profile and content of phenolic antioxidants, vitamers, and squalene, it appears that the ratio of fatty acid aliphatic to bisallylic CH2 groups, much higher in argan oils than in other vegetable oils, is responsible for their higher thermal stability. Link to Article [pdf 162kb] |
