Beni Mellal Research Articles

Minerals and heavy metals profiling of Moroccan saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A comparative study across diverse agro-ecological areas

With growing consumer concern regarding food quality and composition. This study was performed to analyze the content of major inorganic nutrients, trace elements, potentially toxic elements and ash content in 48 saffron samples. These were collected from four distinct Moroccan regions: “Taliouine, Taznakht, Azilal, and Beni Mellal”. The analysis was done in accordance with the guidelines set by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC). The findings of this study reveal that essential nutrient elements such as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sodium were present in important amounts. The average content of these macro-elements was found in the following order: K > P > Mg > Ca > Na, with mean concentrations of 16500±1119 mg/kg, 3290±220 mg/kg, 1430±97 mg/kg, 960±65 mg/kg, and 75±5 mg/kg, respectively. Significant differences among sampling sites as revealed by ANOVA and principal component analysis in selected samples. Furthermore, the levels of potentially harmful elements, including nickel, arsenic, lead, and cadmium, were found below the harmful limits. These results provide valuable scientific information that supports the optimal utilization of saffron, enriching the medicinal plant database. This research sheds light on the compositional, nutritional, and safety aspects of saffron, laying the groundwork for future research in this field.

The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and perceived stress among nursing students at the Beni Mellal Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques in Morocco

The study aimed to explore the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and perceived stress.We tested 136 first-cycle students at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITS) in Béni Mellal. 25.7% male (35 students) and 74.3% female (101 students). 80.14% of students were under 21 years of age, 18.3% were between 21 and23-years-old, and 1.56% were over 24-years-old. This distribution reflects the typical age and gender ratio in nursing programs, where female students often outnumber male students. A descriptive correlational design, through the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), was employed.The results indicate that a significant proportion of nursing students experience high levels of EMS. The most prevalent schemas were emotional inhibition (74.26%), emotional deprivation (63.23%), and abandonment (55.14%). The results indicate significant positive correlations between several EMS and perceived stress levels, particularly the "Abandonment, “Emotional Deprivation", and "Emotional Inhibition" schemas. The regression model explained 42.3% of the variance in perceived stress (R = 0.423, F[7, 128] = 12.45, p < 0.001), indicating that these EMS significantly predict the level of perceived stress among the students. Abandonment (β = 0.35, p = 0.004) and emotional inhibition (β = 0.25, p = 0.035) were the most significant predictors.These findings suggest that addressing EMS is essential for mitigating stress and promoting mental health among nursing students. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support students' emotional well-being, ultimately enhancing their academic and professional success.

The reasons for the use of traditional and complementary medicine by cancer patients in Morocco

PurposeMore than a third of cancer patients use traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) in the Beni Mellal Khenifra region of Morocco. No study has investigated the reasons for this use. Our objective is to explore the main resaons this use. MethodsBetween April and October 2022, 200 cancer patients from the Beni Mellal oncology center participated in a qualitative and descriptive study with semi-structured interviews. We used thematic analysis to identify reasons for use. Results156 patients used T&CM (78 %). The majority used natural products, including medicinal plants. The first four reasons given by the patients were the hope of recovery (25.64 %), the reduction of the undesirable effects of conventional treatments (20.51 %), the improvement of the quality of life (physical, psychological, and esthetic) (17.94 %) and following traditions and customs (15.38 %). ConclusionThe four reasons mentioned can explain the use of T&CM. Given the discrepancies found in other studies, this area of research deserves further investigation across Morocco.

The epidemiological profile of cancer in Beni Mellal: a cross-sectional descriptive study

In Morocco, where cancer is a major public health problem, the characteristics of cancer in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region of Morocco are unknown. Our objective was to establish the epidemiological profile of cancer in this region and the main risk factors influencing cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional study, including all types of cancer, with a sample of 100 patients at the Beni Mellal regional oncology center. Data collected in June and July 2021 using a questionnaire, pre-tested, and analyzed using SPSS and Excel. The questionnaire included sections on cancer-related clinical characteristics and other items related to cancer risk exposures. Gyneco-mammary cancers occupied the first position (49%). The most common localization of cancer in women was breast cancer, with a proportion of 63% of cases recorded during the period studied. In men, lung cancer was the most frequent location at 17%. We found some possible risk factors for cancer: tobacco and alcohol use, dietary habits, use of hormonal contraceptive methods, low income, pollution, sun radiation, exposure to asbestos, family history of cancer, and diseases associated with cancer. Women’s cancers are very common in the region. Several factors are responsible for this frequency. These results suggest several avenues for further research.

Comparison of time series temperature prediction with auto-regressive integrated moving average and recurrent neural network

The region of Beni Mellal, Morocco is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector as its primary source of income. Accurate temperature prediction in agriculture has many benefits including improved crop planning, reduced crop damage, optimized irrigation systems and more sustainable agricultural practices. By having a better understanding of the expected temperature patterns, farmers can make informed decisions on planting schedules, protect crops from extreme temperature events, and use resources more efficiently. The lack of data-driven studies in agriculture impedes the digitalization of farming and the advancement of accurate long-term temperature prediction models. This underscores the significance of research to identify the optimal machine learning models for that purpose. A 22-year time series dataset (2000-2022) is used in the study. The machine-learning model auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and deep learning models simple recurrent neural network (SimpleRNN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and long short-term memory (LSTM) were applied to the time series. The results are evaluated based on the mean absolute error (MAE). The findings indicate that the deep learning models outperformed the machine-learning model, with the GRU model achieving the lowest MAE.

Evaluation of COVID-19 preventive practices among sellers in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has impacted millions of individuals and caused numerous casualties. Consequently, there was a race to develop vaccines against the virus. However, there has been unequal vaccine distribution among nations, and concerns over side effects have resulted in vaccine hesitancy, reducing vaccination rates in many countries and hindering pandemic eradication. Preventive measures like well-fitted masks, frequent hand washing, alcohol-based sanitizers, and maintaining physical distance remain crucial to curb SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This study examined the adoption of these preventive measures among sellers in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco. We analyzed a cohort of 700 merchants, including 40.28% middle-aged males. Among them, 53% (371/700) wore masks, with 61.08% using medical masks, and 44.05% correctly positioned their masks. Additionally, 20.29% (142/700) carried disinfectants, of whom 117 used them at least once in 30 minutes. However, physical distancing was lacking in 78.29% of sellers, particularly among young and middle-aged males (18% and 31.86%, respectively). More than 80% of the vendors had frequent physical contact with others, primarily through hands. Surprisingly, only 1% (7/700) of participants combined the following preventive measures: using a disinfectant at least once, wearing a well-fitted mask, practicing physical distancing, and avoiding contact with others. Two individuals (0.29%) refrained from touching any surfaces. Money accounted for 76.57% of commonly touched surfaces; yet only 0.29% adhered to the preventive measures while handling money. Furthermore, a majority of individuals (92.14%, 645/700) were observed touching their faces at least once.

Large-Scale Monitoring of Bird Communities along an Altitudinal Gradient in Two Central High Atlas Valleys

Altitude is one of the determinant factors that influence the spatial distribution of birds and their species richness. However, few investigations studied its influence on African bird communities over a wide gradient in North Africa. Considering this knowledge gap, 194 sampling points were carried out along altitudinal gradient (773 to 2595 m) in two adjacent mountainous valleys in the Central High Atlas of Beni Mellal in Morocco, Aït Bouguemmaz (AB), and Ahançal (OA). Each valley was divided into three altitudinal intervals (low, medium, and high zones). For each spatial subdivision, we studied the phenological cycle, in the sense that each valley underwent a four-season monitoring, during 2018 and 2019. The results showed 131 species in the study area in 43 families; both valleys had similar community richness, but they differed by the phenological status of their species. Indeed, the increase in altitude led to a decrease in bird species richness, while it does not show any correlation with abundance. In addition, richness and abundance increased during the high-productivity seasons (i.e., spring and summer). Although these results were expected, they provide an opportunity to compare these results with higher latitude communities in Europe and to better focus future large-scale investigations on the combined influence of latitude and altitude on birds.

Geometry, Extent, and Chemistry of Fermentative Hot Spots in Municipal Waste Souk Sebt Landfill, Ouled Nemma, Beni Mellal, Morocco

The presence of fermentative hotspots in municipal waste dumps has been reported for several decades, but no study has focused on their size and shape. The uncontrolled landfill of Soub Sekt, covering an area of about 8 hectares in the Tadla plain in Morocco, is the source of a permanent pollution plume in the groundwater, detected by self-potential (SP) measurements. The study aims to detect and characterize these hotspots as well as the leachates that form within them. These hotspots are typically circular and smaller than 3 m in size, and they are concentrated within recent waste deposits. Intense electron transfer activities, particularly during redox reactions leading to metal solubilization, result in very low SP values (down to −60 mV), facilitating their detection. Several successive field campaigns suggest that they are active for 2–3 weeks. Due to the low permeability of the soils, highly mineralized leachates (average Electrical Conductivity 45 mS cm−1) rich in organic ions accumulate on the soil surface at the base of the waste windrows. There, they evolve by concentration due to evaporation and oxidation due to slow diffusion of atmospheric O2. Despite the small size of the hotspots generating the leachates, the accumulation of leachates in ponds and the low soil permeability limits the percolation rate, resulting in moderate but permanent groundwater pollution.

Geochemistry of the Heavy Metals in the Tansrift Mine (Atlas of Beni Mellal, Morocco): A Pollution Assessment

Geochemistry of the Heavy Metals in the Tansrift Mine (Atlas of Beni Mellal, Morocco): A Pollution Assessment

Comparative study of virgin olive oil from Moroccan Picholine cultivars in TADLA perimeter -Morocco

Olive oil, extracted from olive fruits (Olea europaea), is renowned for its distinctive flavour, nutritional richness and health benefits. The aim of this comparative study is to analyze olive oil from several TADLA perimeter units, including Province of AZILAL, FQUIH BEN SALAH, BENI MELLAL, ZAOUIT CHEIKH, and BRADIA. The oil under investigation was extracted from olives of the Moroccan Picholine variety, by a discontinuous system including grinding, pressing and decanting. Significant variations were found at the values of the studied parameters. The results of our study showed that Olive oil from FBS and BM are classified as an extra virgin olive. However, olive oils from ZC, BR and AZ are classified as virgin olive oil. Sample from FQUIH BEN SALAH province had the lowest Free Fatty Acids (FFA) and peroxide values 0.236% oleic acid and 3.434 méqO2/Kg respectively. While the highest FFA value found was the olive oil obtained from AZILAL (1.084% Oléic Acid) and the highest Peroxide value was obtained in the sample from BRADIA (8.108 méq O2/Kg). E232, E270 and delta K values of all samples were under the limit fixed by IOC for virgin olive oil. Polyphenols content of ZAOUIT CHEIKH, FQUIH BEN SALAH and BRADIA oils are relatively high with values equal to 1.347, 1.082, and 1.141mg GA/100ml extract respectively. DPPH test showed that ZAOUIT CHEIKH oil had the greater antioxidant capacity.

Comparative analysis of energy performance between clay-based and conventional building materials: A case study in Moroccan semi-arid climate

The environmental challenges arising from using traditional construction materials, such as cement, along with their rapid depletion, underscore the necessity of employing environmentally friendly building materials derived from natural resources. In this context, this study presents a comparative analysis of the energy performance of conventional building materials and clay-based materials. Focusing specifically on the Beni Mellal region, adobe bricks reinforced with straw, at weight percentages of 0%, 2%, and 4%, were manufactured. First, the physicochemical properties of the investigated clay were characterized. Subsequently, the thermophysical properties of the fabricated bricks were determined. Annual simulations were conducted using the TRNSYS software, considering a typical meteorological year (TMY) for Beni Mellal City, located in the semi-arid climatic zone. The energy performance of various passive energy efficiency measures was evaluated and discussed, facilitating a thermal analysis to assess the energy needs for heating and cooling inherent to each building material. The results demonstrate that clay bricks, particularly those reinforced with 4% wheat straw, outperform conventional materials in terms of energy efficiency, highlighting their potential for sustainable construction. This study emphasizes the significance of local clay resources and natural reinforcements in enhancing energy efficiency and provides insights into their application in eco-friendly construction practices, thereby contributing to sustainable development goals

Environmental drivers of Euphorbia resinifera seed germination and seedling establishment for conservation purpose.

Euphorbia resinifera O. Berg is a prickly, leafless and succulent, Moroccan endemic shrub. Field data indicate that the plant faces many challenges related to its natural regeneration and its gradual decline that can lead to a probability of extinction, at least in some areas. Successful seed germination and survival of E. resinifera seedlings during the dry period is one of the main obstacles encountered in establishing natural seedlings. With this in mind, 3080 seeds of two morphotypes of E. resinifera (M1 and M2) were harvested in the Atlas of Beni Mellal to study their germinative potential and determine suitable conditions for growth and development of the seedlings. In the laboratory, five temperatures (10 °, 15 °C, 18 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C) and two photoperiods (12 h light/12 h dark and 24 h dark) were tested. Whereas in field research, two factors were considered: the availability of water and the type of substrate (clay, peat, and limestone). Results show a maximum germination rate of around 52% for M2 at 15 °C and 48% for M1 at 18 °C. The Monitoring of plant seedling establishment and growth revealed a high vulnerability to prolonged periods of drought. However, consolidated soil is more conducive to seedling establishment. For this species, it is therefore essential to conserve the habitat within the karst geosystem. Furthermore, the variability of this species' morphotypes and their growth form architecture shows a tendency to favor the dwarf, cushion-shaped morphotype, which is the most widespread in the study area.

Contribution to the study of landslides in Dir-El Ksiba (Atlas of Beni Mellal, Morocco) using the geological, geotechnical, and geochemical approaches

Contribution to the study of landslides in Dir-El Ksiba (Atlas of Beni Mellal, Morocco) using the geological, geotechnical, and geochemical approaches

Adsorption mechanism of Methylene Blue from polluted water by Opuntia ficus indica of Beni Mellal and Sidi Bou Othmane areas: A comparative study

This paper is based on the adsorption in polluted water of Methylene Blue (MB) used in the textile industry, by the cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) of the city of Beni Mellal (CBM) and that of Sidi Bou Othmane (CSB). Different analyzes are used namely: (FTIR, GTA/DTA and X-ray). The equilibrium kinetics shows that the (CSB) fixes the (MB) better than the (CBM). It should be noted that at pH=8, Qmax up to 333.33 and 263.15 mg/g for (CSB) and (CBM) are obtained. The kinetic adsorption results are best described by the expression of the pseudo-second order model (P-SO). The adsorption isotherms of (MB) by (CBM) and (CSB) are suitably described by the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic analysis to show that the adsorption of MB on the cactus of Beni Mellal and Sidi Bou Othmane is an exothermic process and spontaneous.

Chemical Profiling and Biological Properties of Essential Oils of Lavandula stoechas L. Collected from Three Moroccan Sites: In Vitro and In Silico Investigations.

The aim of this study was the determination of the chemical compounds of Lavandula stoechas essential oil from Aknol (LSEOA), Khenifra (LSEOK), and Beni Mellal (LSEOB), and the in vitro investigation of their antibacterial, anticandidal, and antioxidant effects, and in silico anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The chemical profile of LSEO was determined using GC-MS-MS analysis, the results of which showed a qualitative and quantitative variation in the chemical composition of volatile compounds including L-fenchone, cubebol, camphor, bornyl acetate, and τ-muurolol; indicating that the biosynthesis of essential oils of Lavandula stoechas (LSEO) varied depending on the site of growth. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ABTS and FRAP methods, our results showed that this tested oil is endowed with an ABTS inhibitory effect and an important reducing power which varies between 4.82 ± 1.52 and 15.73 ± 3.26 mg EAA/g extract. The results of antibacterial activity of LSEOA, LSEOK and LSEOB, tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, revealed that B. subtilis (20.66 ± 1.15-25 ± 4.35 mm), P. mirabilis (18.66 ± 1.15-18.66 ± 1.15 mm), and P. aeruginosa (13.33 ± 1.15-19 ± 1.00 mm) are the most susceptible strains to LSEOA, LSEOK and LSEOB of which LSEOB exhibits bactericidal effect against P. mirabilis. furthermore The LSEO exhibited varying degrees of anticandidal activity with an inhibition zones of 25.33 ± 0.5, 22.66 ± 2.51, and 19 ± 1 mm for LSEOK, LSEOB, and LSEOA, respectively. Additionally, the in silico molecular docking process, performed using Chimera Vina and Surflex-Dock programs, indicated that LSEO could inhibit SARS-CoV-2. These important biological properties of LSEO qualify this plant as an interesting source of natural bioactive compounds with medicinal actions.

Spatial and Temporal Monitoring of North African Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur arenicola (Hartert, EJO, 1894): First Migrants Arrive Early and Select Nesting Trees next to Foraging Resources while Second Breeders’ Wave Breed around Earlier Nests

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial microdistribution and temporal microdistribution of the North African subspecies of the globally threatened Turtle Doves in Morocco. From the end of February to early September, we monitored the migration dates, counting arrival and departure dates, and breeding chronology, to clarify if the breeding season is divided into sub-breeding phases or not. Equally, the spatial distribution of nests following potential breeding phases was surveyed weekly in Beni Mellal province following a map of a selected orange orchard. Doves arrived in Beni Mellal in the third week of March and left in mid-October, according to the results. The first nests occurred in the second week of April, followed by the first eggs in the third week of April and the first chicks in the first week of May. PCA analysis showed that the nesting and laying stages were achieved principally during the last two weeks of April and the first three weeks of May, the hatching stage between the fourth week of May and the second week of July, and fledging between the fourth week of July and the first week of September. Further, the breeding season was divided into two phases: the first breeding phase, from the first week of April to the first week of June, and the second phase, between the second week of June and the second week of August. The DCA analysis and orchard-created map indicated that the first wave of breeders colonized the marginal trees located on the orchard sides, surrounded by foraging cereals and legumes, and the second breeding-phase nests were constructed in flocks next to the nests of the first breeding phase. According to this strategy, the first breeders prospect the orchard and select nesting trees near foraging resources, while the second breeders’ wave colonizes trees near successfully used prospector sites. These findings are of great importance for comparative investigations and habitat-scale conservation management.

Univariate machine learning models applied in photovoltaic power prediction using Python

ABSTRACT Photovoltaic field has attracted the attention of researchers around the world because of the intermittence of this energy since its integration into the electricity grid poses problems in maintaining the balance between consumption and production. In fact, forecasting PV (photovoltaic) energy sources would make it possible to anticipate the availability of production sources and thus facilitate network management. Indeed, the PV production depends on many parameters such as the meteorological parameters, irradiance, and installation conditions of PV modules. However, this study concerns the prediction of photovoltaic production using machine learning techniques applied for the first time on the Beni Mellal’s photovoltaic station. These methods make it possible to predict the production of photovoltaic electricity by programming a computer to learn from previous data of the parameters on which the photovoltaic production depends and then to predict future ones, that is to say direct forecasting. First, a three-year meteorological parameter (including just ambient temperature and irradiance) and panel parameters (panel temperature) database is used to train the algorithm and a three different months database to test it; all, using supervised learning models based on three approaches – programmed by Python: Support Vector Regression, Decision Tree Regression, and Random Forest. These approaches aim in first time to analyze the correlation between meteorological parameters and photovoltaic production and then, in other time, to predict PV production directly. The results have shown that the global inclined irradiance and the panel temperature are the data most correlated with the photovoltaic production with a correlation coefficient of 0.88 and 0.61, respectively, so that led us to rely, on the first level, on global inclined irradiance and panel temperature, and then on other meteorological data, on the second level to predict PV output. It is also concluded in this study that Random Forest was the best used approach with a mean square error of 0.18.

Anticancer Potential of Retama monosperma (L) Boiss in the Beni Mellal Khenifra Region

Anticancer Potential of Retama monosperma (L) Boiss in the Beni Mellal Khenifra Region

Epidemiology of Enterobacteriaceae uropathogenic strains and resistant to antibiotics in the clinical laboratory of the regional hospital of Beni Mellal, Morocco

Epidemiology of Enterobacteriaceae uropathogenic strains and resistant to antibiotics in the clinical laboratory of the regional hospital of Beni Mellal, Morocco

The Factors of Adhesion of the Personnel of the Hospital of Beni Mellal to the Hospital Establishment Project (Morocco)

The Factors of Adhesion of the Personnel of the Hospital of Beni Mellal to the Hospital Establishment Project (Morocco)