S. RGUEZ^{1, 2}

I. BETTAIEB REBEY¹

S. BOURGOU¹

M. HAMMAMI¹

I. HAMROUNI SELLAMI¹

¹ Laboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia.

² Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire Farhat Hached B.P. n° 94 - Rommana 1068 Tunis, Tunisie.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08906

Abstract : Medicinal plants possessed important biological activities that constitutes an important source for the development of bioactive compounds used as alternative to chemical pesticides. The present study investigated the allelopathic activities of Tetraclinis articulata and Cupressus sempervirens essential oils (EOs) extracted at vegetative, flowering and fructification stages. The EO chemical composition determined with by GC-MS revealed the predominance of oxygenated monoterpene classes of (50%) in T. articulata EO from fructification stage. However, C. sempervirens EOs were characterized by the abundance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons class (64%) in EO from fructification stage. The EO from fructification stage inhibited at all concentrations germinated seeds and at highest concentrations radical elongation of Raphanus sativus. This EO inhibited also at highest concentrations germinated seeds and radical elongation of Lattuca sativa. C. sempervirens from flowering stage inhibited at highest concentrations seeds germination of Lepidium sativum and radical elongation of Raphanus sativus. Statistical analysis demonstrated that allelopathic activity these two Tunisian Cupressaceae EOs was attributed to the both monoterpene and sesquiterpene classes. Essential oils extracted from T. articulata and Cupressus sempervirens EOs could be used as a new alternative to chemical pesticides in agronomic fields.

Key words: Tetraclinis articulata; Cupressus sempervirens; allelopathic activity; essential oil

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Wafa Hassen¹

Sana Alibi¹

Abdennaceur Hassen²

Hedi Ben Mansour¹

¹ Research Unit: Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment (APAE), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia - University of Monastir, Tunisia.

² Water Research and Technology Center (C.E.R.T. E), Borj-Cédria Technology Park, Soliman, Tunisia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08905

 Abstract : Cactus fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) are known for their virtues, mainly their chemo-preventive properties used in traditional medicines and their various therapeutic benefits including hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant effects. This study aimed at first to add spices and natural aromatic plants to the common manufacturing process of cactus fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) vinegar, and secondly to compare afterward the finished product from a nutritional point of view with other kinds of vinegar. The resulting vinegar has undergone a series of physicochemical, nutritional, and microbiological analyses to show its good quality and safety for human consumption. The microbiological analysis showed that the rates of yeast, moulds, and the total cultivable bacteria were below the maximum threshold of acceptability recommended by the Tunisian standards. Besides, cactus fruit vinegar has revealed various interesting activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic effects. Furthermore, the cactus fruit vinegar flavouring showed good stabilizing effects of its main physicochemical parameters and thus improved its nutritional quality and biological activity. The present study indicates that vinegar of cactus fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) with or without flavouring are a significant source of compounds with interesting biological activities and best sensorial quality, and thus may be useful for chemoprevention via nutraceutical foods.

Key words: Cactus fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) vinegar; Vinegar; Flavouring process; Nutritional quality; Biological activity

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Ajala Wafa¹

Ben Ali Samir¹

Fetoui Mondher² 

Abdeladhim Mohamed Arbi¹

¹Higher School of Agriculture of Mograne, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education (IRESA), University of Carthage, Tunisia

²Laboratory of Economy and Rural Societies, Arid Regions Institute (IRA) of Medenine, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education (IRESA), Tunisia

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08904

Abstract - Desalination of seawater has been chosen in Tunisia as a strategic response to the problem of insufficient water resources. However, this solution may be accompanied by negative effects on the environment. The aim of this paper is to assess Sustainability impacts of seawater desalination plant of Djerba two years after its start-up. The qualitative and quantitative data were collected in face-to-face interviews conducted with stakeholders involved in water resources management at local and regional level. Collected data covers the period from 2015 to 2020. Sustainability impact assessment of seawater desalination plant is based on a set of social, economic and environmental indicators in the region. Main results showed positive impacts of the desalination plant with a net increase of drinking water supply and an improvement of the drinking water quality in the island of Djerba. However, the high energy requirements of the desalination plant (13.6% of the total electrical energy consumption in the region) and the important quantity of discharged brine (58 tons/day) rise concerns about negative impacts on the environment.

Key words: Water availability, Environmental impacts, Indicators, Energy consumption

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Sarra Bchir¹

Wafa Hassen¹

Sana Alibi¹

Ahlem Jaziri¹

Asma Beltifa¹

Haithem Mansour²

Djellal, Hayet³

Hedi Ben Mansour¹

¹ Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment–APAE (UR17ES32) Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.

² Agro-food Industry ZOUILA, Mahdia, Tunisia.

³ UniLaSalle-Ecole des Métiers de l'Environnement, Avenue Robert Schuman, Campus de Ker Lann, 35 170, Rennes, France.

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08903

Abstract : Wastewater deriving from soap and oil industries contains many toxic pollutants that affect the receiving environment. Therefore, an efficient treatment prior to its discharge is required. Various technologies have been used in the treatment of this wastewater such as coagulation-flocculation and membrane filtration but these methods are expensive and unsafe to the environment. In the present study, the efficiency of a new soap wastewater treatment model based on the evaporation and condensation process was evaluated using physicochemical and microbiological standard methods. We also assessed the phytotoxicity of soap wastewater before and after treatment. Our results revealed that total suspended solid levels (20 467 ±371.2 mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (41 667± 928 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (22 000 ±503.3 mg/l), total organic carbon (17 333±432.2 mg/l), nitrate (49.35±0.04 mg/l), phosphorus (445.8± 0.75 mg/l), chloride (227.2±0.43 mg/l), sulfate (56±0.21mg/l) and phenols (757.97±8.2 mg/l) exceed the Tunisian standards. This indicates that this effluent is highly charged with organic and chemical pollutants. The concentrations of Cu, Zn and Fe in soap wastewater were also above the standard limits. Microbiological analysis revealed however the absence of pathogenic bacteria in raw and treated effluents. Moreover, our treatment system was able to reduce significantly the values of all pollutants. Triticum turgidum durum L and Solanum lycopersicum L wetted with treated effluent showed also high germination percentages (74.41% and 79.42%) compared with raw effluent (0%). Therefore, our new system was demonstrated as an efficient and feasible approach for the soap wastewater treatment.

Key words: Soap industry wastewater, Toxic pollutants, Wastewater treatment, Bacterial parameters, Physicochemical parameters, Phytotoxicity

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¹Amadou Abdoulaye M. Bahari

² Issa Hamadou

² Seyni Sido

³ Chaibou Mahamadou. 

¹ Department of Rural Economics Sociology and Technology Transfer. National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger.

² Department of Animal Productions. National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger.

³ Faculty of Agronomy, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey-Niger.

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08902

Abstract : The study conducted in the department of Bermo concerned milk trait and its distribution at the level of thirty-seven pastoral households. The data were collected using a questionnaire during the period from April to December 2017. This study, which is designed to provide comprehensive and up-to-date data on the sale of cow's milk in pastoral settings, is based primarily on the exploitation of milk by the household, including self-consumption, sales and donations. The produced milk is fully consumed at the level of 85% of the households surveyed. Households that market milk, range from raw sales (55%), self-consumption (38%) donation (7%). Through sales, cow's milk contributes to the economy of pastoral households.  Milk cannot meet household needs. This explains its marketing only during the rainy season, when production is important in the farms. As a staple food for pastoral households, milk represents one of the levers for achieving food security.

Key words: Dairy production, self-consumption, donation, sale, recipe, Niger

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Sihem ISMAIL-HAMDI^1,2

Nabil HAMDI

Houcine Ben YAHIA³

Boubaker BEN SMIDA⁴

Walid CHANDOUL⁵

Samir BEN ROMDHANE¹

¹Laboratory of biochemistry, Uni. Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.

²Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06, Uni. Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, 2092 EL Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

³Ministry of National Defence, General Directorate of Military Health. Veterinary Services, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia

⁴Regional Commission for Agricultural Development (CRDA), 3200 Tataouine, Tunisia

⁵Circonscription de Production Animale Ben Guerdane, 4160, Médenine, Tunisia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55416/sunb.jns01.2207.08901

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of Trypanosoma evansi infection on the blood profile of Tunisian dromedary camels. Serological, haematological and biochemical analysis were performed on blood samples collected from 220 dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Giemsa-stained blood smears were used to establish a differential leucocyte count. Others haematological parameters were measured on whole blood collected in EDTA tubes. Sera were used both to perform CATT and to measure some biochemical parameters. More than half of samples (62.7%) were seropositive for trypanosomiasis infection. The comparison of haematological profiles between infected and non-infected camels revealed the presence of a microcytic hypochromic anaemia, neutrophilia, monocytosis and eosinophilia. The biochemical profile of the infected animals showed liver dysfunction (decreased urea and total proteins) and hypoferremia, the last abnormality may lead to microcytic anaemia. Results of the present study revealed that T. evansi was highly prevalent in Tunisian dromedary camels and may induce severe biological disorders. Haemato-biochemical parameters, markedly affected by T. evansi, may be used as biomarkers for the control of this infection in camels.

Key words: Biochemical parameters, Haematological parameters, Trypanosoma evansi, dromedary camel, blood profile, Tunisia

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