Abstract
Argan (Argania spinosa L.) is a wild tree native to southwestern Morocco. It bears a plum-sized fruit with one to three kernels rich in oil. The oil is highly prized as an edible anc cooking oil by the local people. Our study was carried out to investigate the possiblity of domesticating the species. Seddling were planted in the Negev Desert of Israel at the location Qetura with a high summer temperature and brackish water and at the location Ramat Negev with a low winter temperatur and good-quality water. Average three heigh inb the seventh year was 4.0 0.6 m at Qetura and 4.6 0.6 m at Ramat Negev. best yielders produced dry fruit between 20 and 25 kg/three at both sites in the sixth and seventh years, and average orehard yiield was three-four times lower as a result of high variation between the trees. Kernel; s comprised 6.5% of fruit weight and contained 55% of oil. In the seventh year, oil yield was 0.6 ikg/tree at Qetura and 50% lower at Ramat Negev. The higher the values for Ramat Negev. Characteristics of the fruits and fatty acid composition of the argan oil and the chemical composition and quality characteristics of the defatted argan kernel meal are being presented. Fruit components, sucyh as the pericarp (45% of fruit weight), and the defatted meal (3.5% of fruit wieght) can be used as animal feeds. The meal is characterized by a high protein content (46%) and a high in vitro digestibility (96%).Incluye 18 referencias bibliográficas.Argan (Argania spinosa L.) is a wild tree native to southwestern Morocco. It bears a plum-sized fruit with one to three kernels rich in oil. The oil is highly prized as an edible anc cooking oil by the local people. Our study was carried out to investigate the possiblity of domesticating the species. Seddling were planted in the Negev Desert of Israel at the location Qetura with a high summer temperature and brackish water and at the location Ramat Negev with a low winter temperatur and good-quality water. Average three heigh inb the seventh year was 4.0 0.6 m at Qetura and 4.6 0.6 m at Ramat Negev. best yielders produced dry fruit between 20 and 25 kg/three at both sites in the sixth and seventh years, and average orehard yiield was three-four times lower as a result of high variation between the trees. Kernel; s comprised 6.5% of fruit weight and contained 55% of oil. In the seventh year, oil yield was 0.6 ikg/tree at Qetura and 50% lower at Ramat Negev. The higher the values for Ramat Negev. Characteristics of the fruits and fatty acid composition of the argan oil and the chemical composition and quality characteristics of the defatted argan kernel meal are being presented. Fruit components, sucyh as the pericarp (45% of fruit weight), and the defatted meal (3.5% of fruit wieght) can be used as animal feeds. The meal is characterized by a high protein content (46%) and a high in vitro digestibility (96%).