International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2017, Volume : 5, Issue : 4
First page : (14) Last page : (21)
Article doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.5295
Morphological and Biochemical Variability of Moroccan Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Produced in Beni Mellal Region
K. Elfazazi1*, M. Jbilou1, A. Assaidi2, M. Benbati1 and H. Harrak3
1Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Regional Center for Agricultural Research in Tadla, National Institute for Agricultural Research, INRA, Beni Mellal, Morocco
2Laboratory of Bioprocess and Bio interfaces, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Beni Mellal, Morocco
3Laboratory of Food Technology and Quality, Regional Center for Agricultural Research in Marrakesh, National Institute for Agricultural Research, INRA, Marrakesh, Morocco
*Corresponding Author E-mail: ka.elfazazi@gmail.com
Received: 24.07.2017 | Revised: 5.08.2017 | Accepted: 6.08.2017
ABSTRACT
The carob is the fruit of an evergreen (Ceratonia Siliqua L.) cultivated in the Mediterranean area. The carob tree is an important economic resource for Morocco's rural populations. This species is used in reforestation actions and its cultivation in modern orchards is being undertaken to valorise marginal lands and substitute for drought sensitive species. However, little data is available on its intra-specific variability and its adaptability. Morphological criteria (pod length, width, thickness, seed number, volume, weight and specific gravity) and biochemical composition (protein, sugar, fibre, ash and total phenol content) of carob varieties from three different regions of Beni Mellal in Morocco were investigated. The obtained results showed that significant differences were found between ecoregions for all characters which were examined, what indicates a high intra-diversity. Correlations studies between morphological criteria and biochemical characteristics were carried out and their variabilities are discussed in this paper.
Key words:Carob, Ceratonia Siliqua L., pulp, seed morphological characteristics, Biochemical characteristics, Morocco.
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782
Cite this article: Elfazazi, K., Jbilou, M., Assaidi, A., Benbati, M. and Harrak, H., Morphological and Chemical Variability of Moroccan Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Produced in Beni Mellal Region, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.5(4): 14-21 (2017). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.5295
