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Effects of different developmental stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) on argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) edible oil and methanolic extracts, and development of eco-friendly control methods based on plant callus oils

  • 0Natural Resources and Local Products Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, 10090 Rabat, Morocco.
Food Chemistry +

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January 26, 2025

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January 26, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Medfly infestation impacts argan oil quality, with egg-stage pests reducing reducing capacity the most. Cactus callus oil effectively controls medfly, showing higher lethality than moringa callus oil.

Area Of Science

  • Agroforestry and Entomology
  • Phytochemistry and Food Science

Background

  • Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, an endangered species, produces valuable oil; its forests host the medfly (Ceratitis capitata).
  • The impact of medfly infestation on argan oil and extract quality remains unstudied.
  • Callus-derived oils from Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. (cactus) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) are unexplored for medfly control.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate medfly's effects (egg, larva, pupa) on argan fruit extracts and edible oil quality at different maturity stages (green and ripe).
  • To investigate the efficacy of cactus and moringa callus oils in controlling medfly populations.

Main Methods

  • Analysis of antioxidant activity and reducing capacity in methanolic extracts and edible argan oil under different medfly infestation stages and fruit maturity.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for fatty acid profiling of argan oil.
  • Bioassays to determine the insecticidal activity of cactus and moringa callus oils against medfly.

Main Results

  • Medfly infestation significantly altered antioxidant activity and reducing capacity of argan extracts and oil, varying by pest developmental stage and fruit maturity.
  • Highest antioxidant activity (98.48%) and reducing capacity (14.49 mg GAE.g<sup>-1</sup> DM) in extracts were observed from green fruits during pupa infestation.
  • Argan oil showed highest antioxidant activity (97.72%) and reducing capacity (205.35 μg GAE.g<sup>-1</sup>) during larva infestation; egg infestation most negatively impacted reducing capacity.
  • Argan oil composition remained rich in unsaturated fatty acids (79.95-80.34%), primarily oleic and linoleic acids.
  • Cactus callus oil achieved up to 100% medfly mortality, significantly outperforming moringa callus oil (up to 74.66% mortality).

Conclusions

  • Medfly infestation poses a threat to argan oil quality, particularly affecting its antioxidant properties.
  • Cactus callus-derived oil presents a highly effective, eco-friendly biopesticide for medfly control.
  • Further research into cactus and moringa callus oil components could lead to sustainable pest management strategies in argan agroecosystems.

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