The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality in the Sidi Abderrahmane freshwater rese... more The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality in the Sidi Abderrahmane freshwater reservoir (Safi, Morocco). The monitoring data used in the study included physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The spatial and temporal characteristics of these parameters was evaluated by collecting water samples fortnightly from May 2011 to December 2012 in three stations chosen to represent different parts of the reservoir. Ten parameters considered as indicators of water properties were analysed: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity, transparency, orthophosphorus, ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and chlorophyll a. The results show that nutrient concentrations were among the highest (mean concentrations: PO 4 3− = 0.64 mg l −1 , NH 4+ = 1.08 mg l −1) recorded for Moroccan freshwater reservoirs. Our data indicated that the Sidi Abderrahmane is a destratified reservoir that it is relatively warm (mean temperature: 22.42 ± 4.88 °C); a polymictic reservoir in a semi-arid climate. Fertilisers applied in the surrounding orchards affect significantly affect nutrient levels in the waterbody, particularly PO 4 3− and NH 4+ in autumn. The water column is seasonally homogeneous, as a result of wind-induced mixing, and our tests showed no anoxia throughout the study period. With suitable hydraulic conditions (short residence time, short outflow/inflow ratio, good oxygenation, and homogeneity), the Sidi Abderrahmane water body could reduce the stratification time and improve water quality.
International Journal of Aquatic Biology, Nov 27, 2021
This work is a study of growth aspects and mortality of the Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colia... more This work is a study of growth aspects and mortality of the Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colia, from the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. A total of 845 specimens were collected from commercial catches in M'diq Bay, whose total length ranged between 16.4 and 35.9 cm. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.0019 TL 3.4527 (r = 0.97) for the whole population. The Atlantic chub mackerel displays positive allometric growth. Otolith edge analysis indicated that opaque zones were formed between April and September and translucent ones during the remaining months of the year. The oldest individuals in the sample were 5 years old for both sexes. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for this species were: L∞ = 37.30 cm, k = 0.26 year-1 and t0 =-2.19 year. The difference in growth between sexes is not significant. The estimated natural mortality was 0.59 per year.
agroecosystems as conservatories and incubators of cultivated plant varietal diversity: the case ... more agroecosystems as conservatories and incubators of cultivated plant varietal diversity: the case of fig (Ficus carica L.) in Morocco
Traditional herbal medicine is still used for basic healthcare by a significant portion of the po... more Traditional herbal medicine is still used for basic healthcare by a significant portion of the population in developing countries. This study aimed to explore the medicinal plant's diversity and to document related traditional knowledge in the Safi region of Morocco. We used semi-structured questionnaires to interview 222 informants living in the study area. To perform data analysis, we used quantitative indices like use value (UV), family use value (FUV), fidelity level (FL), the relative popularity level (RPL), rank of order priority (ROP), and informant consensus factor (ICF). We reported the ethnomedicinal uses of 144 medicinal plants belonging to 64 families. According to the findings, the dominating families were Lamiaceae (17 taxa), Asteraceae (15 taxa), and Apiaceae (12 taxa). The most commonly utilized plant part (48%) was leaves. The decoction was reported as the main preparation method (42%). Highly cited plant species were Marrubium vulgare (UV = 0.56), Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (UV = 0.47), Thymus serpyllum (UV = 0.32), and Dysphania ambrosioides (UV = 0.29). Papaveraceae (FUV = 0.26), and Urticaceae (FUV= 0.23), Geraniaceae (FUV = 0.17), Oleaceae (FUV = 0.17), Lamiaceae (FUV = 0.17) had the highest family use-values. Gastrointestinal disorders (88%), respiratory diseases (85%), and anemia (66%) have the greatest ICF values. This study reveals the indigenous people's reliance on plant-derived traditional medicine to prevent, alleviate, and treat a broad range of health concerns. Our findings will provide a scientific basis for ethnomedicinal legacy conservation and further scientific investigations aimed at new natural bioactive molecules discovery.
A Schiff base, 5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)amino]-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazole as a bid... more A Schiff base, 5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)amino]-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazole as a bidentate ligand has been synthesized by the reaction between the 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4H-1,3,4-oxadiazole and aromatic aldehyde. The Schiff base reacted with CoCl3·6H2O and CrCl3·6H2O in ethanol to yield 1,3,4-oxadiazole complexes. The structures of synthesized ligand and their complexes have been established on the basis of their IR, Mass and 1H-NMR spectra. Electronic and geometric structures of both cobalt and chromium complexes were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) calculations. DFT-based reactivity calculations estimated the studied system as strong electrophile and/or strong nucleophile in polar organic reactions. Moreover, most reactive sites were predicted theoretically based on the delocalized and localized indexes. The nature of Ligand-Metal chemical bonding is discussed in terms of the natural bond orbital (NBO) and QTAIM analysis. Accordingly, the metal ions such as cobalt and chromium are bidentate coordinated with the Schiff base by nitrogen atoms of imine function and pyridine, to form stable complexes. Furthermore, the chromium ions have an affinity superior to the cobalt ions towards Schiff base ligand. In addition, the results of the antibacterial activity in-vitro show that the metal complexation confers an increase in the antibacterial activity of the complexed ligand compared to the free ligand against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with broad spectrum activity. In silico molecular docking studies of the ligands and their complexes were applied to describe the probable binding modes into the active site of Escherichia coli (E. coli) FabH and Salmonella typhimurium LT2 neuraminidase (STNA) receptors. The increase in biological activity could be attributed to the high stability of the complexes and strong affinities to bacterial enzyme receptors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
This work investigates the level of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and organic matter (OM) vertic... more This work investigates the level of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and organic matter (OM) vertical contamination in the sediments of the Safi fishing port (Atlantic coast of Morocco). The choice of the site, never dredged since its construction and operation, constitutes a first scientific study on a national scale. Two sampling campaigns were carried out on 40 cm deep columns of sediment. The particle size profile of the sediment was studied and the organic matter and MTEs (Cd, Cu and Zn) contents were quantified. The results showed a homogeneous sediment profile over the entire depth with a dominance of medium and fine fractions. The average contents of MTEs revealed a significant state of contamination as well as a non-uniform distribution along the column. The recorded values are several times higher than the standards established by the legislation in force for the dredging operation. In addition, the eco-toxicological risk at the port, estimated through the calculation of var...
The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality in the Sidi Abderrahmane freshwater rese... more The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality in the Sidi Abderrahmane freshwater reservoir (Safi, Morocco). The monitoring data used in the study included physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The spatial and temporal characteristics of these parameters was evaluated by collecting water samples fortnightly from May 2011 to December 2012 in three stations chosen to represent different parts of the reservoir. Ten parameters considered as indicators of water properties were analysed: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity, transparency, orthophosphorus, ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and chlorophyll a. The results show that nutrient concentrations were among the highest (mean concentrations: PO 4 3− = 0.64 mg l −1 , NH 4+ = 1.08 mg l −1) recorded for Moroccan freshwater reservoirs. Our data indicated that the Sidi Abderrahmane is a destratified reservoir that it is relatively warm (mean temperature: 22.42 ± 4.88 °C); a polymictic reservoir in a semi-arid climate. Fertilisers applied in the surrounding orchards affect significantly affect nutrient levels in the waterbody, particularly PO 4 3− and NH 4+ in autumn. The water column is seasonally homogeneous, as a result of wind-induced mixing, and our tests showed no anoxia throughout the study period. With suitable hydraulic conditions (short residence time, short outflow/inflow ratio, good oxygenation, and homogeneity), the Sidi Abderrahmane water body could reduce the stratification time and improve water quality.
International Journal of Aquatic Biology, Nov 27, 2021
This work is a study of growth aspects and mortality of the Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colia... more This work is a study of growth aspects and mortality of the Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colia, from the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. A total of 845 specimens were collected from commercial catches in M'diq Bay, whose total length ranged between 16.4 and 35.9 cm. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.0019 TL 3.4527 (r = 0.97) for the whole population. The Atlantic chub mackerel displays positive allometric growth. Otolith edge analysis indicated that opaque zones were formed between April and September and translucent ones during the remaining months of the year. The oldest individuals in the sample were 5 years old for both sexes. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated for this species were: L∞ = 37.30 cm, k = 0.26 year-1 and t0 =-2.19 year. The difference in growth between sexes is not significant. The estimated natural mortality was 0.59 per year.
agroecosystems as conservatories and incubators of cultivated plant varietal diversity: the case ... more agroecosystems as conservatories and incubators of cultivated plant varietal diversity: the case of fig (Ficus carica L.) in Morocco
Traditional herbal medicine is still used for basic healthcare by a significant portion of the po... more Traditional herbal medicine is still used for basic healthcare by a significant portion of the population in developing countries. This study aimed to explore the medicinal plant's diversity and to document related traditional knowledge in the Safi region of Morocco. We used semi-structured questionnaires to interview 222 informants living in the study area. To perform data analysis, we used quantitative indices like use value (UV), family use value (FUV), fidelity level (FL), the relative popularity level (RPL), rank of order priority (ROP), and informant consensus factor (ICF). We reported the ethnomedicinal uses of 144 medicinal plants belonging to 64 families. According to the findings, the dominating families were Lamiaceae (17 taxa), Asteraceae (15 taxa), and Apiaceae (12 taxa). The most commonly utilized plant part (48%) was leaves. The decoction was reported as the main preparation method (42%). Highly cited plant species were Marrubium vulgare (UV = 0.56), Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (UV = 0.47), Thymus serpyllum (UV = 0.32), and Dysphania ambrosioides (UV = 0.29). Papaveraceae (FUV = 0.26), and Urticaceae (FUV= 0.23), Geraniaceae (FUV = 0.17), Oleaceae (FUV = 0.17), Lamiaceae (FUV = 0.17) had the highest family use-values. Gastrointestinal disorders (88%), respiratory diseases (85%), and anemia (66%) have the greatest ICF values. This study reveals the indigenous people's reliance on plant-derived traditional medicine to prevent, alleviate, and treat a broad range of health concerns. Our findings will provide a scientific basis for ethnomedicinal legacy conservation and further scientific investigations aimed at new natural bioactive molecules discovery.
A Schiff base, 5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)amino]-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazole as a bid... more A Schiff base, 5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)amino]-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazole as a bidentate ligand has been synthesized by the reaction between the 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4H-1,3,4-oxadiazole and aromatic aldehyde. The Schiff base reacted with CoCl3·6H2O and CrCl3·6H2O in ethanol to yield 1,3,4-oxadiazole complexes. The structures of synthesized ligand and their complexes have been established on the basis of their IR, Mass and 1H-NMR spectra. Electronic and geometric structures of both cobalt and chromium complexes were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) calculations. DFT-based reactivity calculations estimated the studied system as strong electrophile and/or strong nucleophile in polar organic reactions. Moreover, most reactive sites were predicted theoretically based on the delocalized and localized indexes. The nature of Ligand-Metal chemical bonding is discussed in terms of the natural bond orbital (NBO) and QTAIM analysis. Accordingly, the metal ions such as cobalt and chromium are bidentate coordinated with the Schiff base by nitrogen atoms of imine function and pyridine, to form stable complexes. Furthermore, the chromium ions have an affinity superior to the cobalt ions towards Schiff base ligand. In addition, the results of the antibacterial activity in-vitro show that the metal complexation confers an increase in the antibacterial activity of the complexed ligand compared to the free ligand against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with broad spectrum activity. In silico molecular docking studies of the ligands and their complexes were applied to describe the probable binding modes into the active site of Escherichia coli (E. coli) FabH and Salmonella typhimurium LT2 neuraminidase (STNA) receptors. The increase in biological activity could be attributed to the high stability of the complexes and strong affinities to bacterial enzyme receptors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
This work investigates the level of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and organic matter (OM) vertic... more This work investigates the level of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and organic matter (OM) vertical contamination in the sediments of the Safi fishing port (Atlantic coast of Morocco). The choice of the site, never dredged since its construction and operation, constitutes a first scientific study on a national scale. Two sampling campaigns were carried out on 40 cm deep columns of sediment. The particle size profile of the sediment was studied and the organic matter and MTEs (Cd, Cu and Zn) contents were quantified. The results showed a homogeneous sediment profile over the entire depth with a dominance of medium and fine fractions. The average contents of MTEs revealed a significant state of contamination as well as a non-uniform distribution along the column. The recorded values are several times higher than the standards established by the legislation in force for the dredging operation. In addition, the eco-toxicological risk at the port, estimated through the calculation of var...
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