Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Fatty acid composition and agro-industrial potential of Capparis spinosa L. seed oils from Morocco
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Research Articles | Published: 01 June, 2026
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Keywords: n Capparis spinosan , Seed oil, Fatty acid composition, GC–MS, Morocco
Abstract
Despite the increasing global demand for sustainable, plant-based bioactive compounds, traditional oilseed crops often struggle with the escalating challenges of climate change in arid regions. Capparis spinosa L. emerges as a high-potential, drought-tolerant Mediterranean species; however, its seeds remain an underexplored byproduct, and a comprehensive characterization of their lipid potential across diverse Moroccan agro-ecosystems is currently lacking. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the oil yield and fatty acid profiles of C. spinosa seeds harvested from twelve distinct geographical provenances in Morocco. Oils were isolated via Soxhlet extraction using n-hexane, and their chemical compositions were elucidated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Lipid nomenclature in this study follows the carbon chain length and degree of unsaturation (C: n). Results indicated that oil yields varied significantly by provenance (p < 0.001), ranging from 11.46 ± 0.07% to 16.63 ± 0.10%, yet demonstrated a consistent global lipid potential. The fatty acid profiles were dominated by the polyunsaturated linoleic acid (C18:2, 31.78–38.22%) and the monounsaturated oleic acid (C18:1, 19.32–30.13%), which collectively constituted 55–65% of the total fatty acid content. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was identified as the primary saturated fatty acid (17–22%). Minor constituents, such as stearic, palmitoleic, and cis-vaccenic acids, exhibited moderate fluctuations, likely reflecting localized agroecological influences on seed maturity. The high prevalence of unsaturated fatty acids combined with the observed biochemical stability across provenances underscores the superior nutritional and functional quality of C. spinosa seed oil. These findings advocate for the strategic valorization of this species as a resilient and sustainable source of vegetable oil for the international agro-industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors.
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Author Information
Laboratory of Bio-Geo-Physical and Environmental Sciences, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, Mohamed First University, Selouane, Morocco