title: Physicochemical characteristics, nutritional properties, and health benefits of argan oil: a review.
abstract: The argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels), an endemic tree in Morocco, is the most remarkable species in North Africa, due to its botanical and bioecologic interest as well as its social value. Argan oil is traditionally well known for its cardioprotective properties and it is also used in the treatment of skin infections. This paper gives an overview of scientific literature available on nutritional and pharmacologic properties of argan oil. Owing to its unique organoleptic properties associated with its cardioprotective properties, argan oil has found, recently, its place in the highly competitive international edible oil market. This success is a very positive sign for the preservation of the argan tree, the argan forests and, therefore, in general, the biodiversity.
authors.affiliation: a Food Sciences Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia , Cadi Ayyad University , Marrakech , Morocco.
authors.forename: Abdelilah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Abbassi
authors.forename: Nauman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.forename: Hanaa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zbakh
authors.forename: Asif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D016468:Forestry; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009018:Morocco; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000032:analysis; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029632:Sapotaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010840:Phytosterols; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002338:Carotenoids; C555574:argan oil