Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Biochemical composition and biological activities of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus twigs extracts
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Neg Imane, Bouda Said, Zaggoumi Hasna, Mardoume Ibtissam, Haddioui Abdelmajid
Research Articles | Published: 11 May, 2026
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Keywords: n Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrusn , Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity, Phytochemical variability, environmental correlation
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify the phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, and to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities of twig extracts from eleven Moroccan populations of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus. Furthermore, the research investigated the correlation between environmental factors and these phytochemical parameters to determine the influence of biogeographical conditions on the plant’s biological potential. The biochemical profile and biological potential of eleven Moroccan populations were evaluated in relation to environmental factors. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were quantified via spectrophotometry, while antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against eleven bacterial species and two fungal strains using disk diffusion, well diffusion, and microdilution methods. Scientific precision was ensured by determining the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) concentrations. Statistical analyses were employed to determine the correlation between biogeographical variables and the observed variability in phytochemical content and biological efficacy across the populations. Twig extracts from eleven Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus populations exhibited significant variability in extraction yield (8.40 ± 2.60%), total phenolic content (13.16 ± 5.03 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid content (1.63 ± 0.83 mg QE/g DW). Potent antioxidant activity was observed (mean DPPH IC₅₀ = 170 ± 80.36 µg/mL), with TPC identified as the primary driver of radical scavenging capacity (r = -0.938, p < 0.01). The extracts demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus MIC = 0.024 mg/mL) and Fusarium species (inhibition > 60%), although resistant strains remained recalcitrant. Environmental factors significantly influenced these profiles; altitude correlated positively with TPC (r = 0.705), while rainfall exhibited a strong negative correlation with yield (r = -0.841). Principal Component Analysis (62.83% total variance) clustered the populations into three distinct groups corresponding to their geographical mountain ranges, underscoring the influence of provenance and bioclimatic conditions on the phytochemical and biological potency of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus. These findings highlight the biochemical diversity of Moroccan Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus, emphasizing its potential as a source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials. The results advocate for targeted conservation strategies to preserve biochemically rich populations for medicinal and aromatic applications.
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Author Information
Laboratory of Agro-Industrial and Medical Biotechnologies, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco