Description

Argania spinosa is a tree endemic to the Middle West of Morocco and occupying arid and semi-arid regions totaling up to around 900,000 ha. The oil extracted from the seed is considered the most expensive edible oil in the world with great cosmetic value and therapeutic potential. Phytochemical composition of Argane fruits reveals different classes of bioactive compounds, including essential oils, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, flavonoids and their acylglycosyl derivatives, monophenols, phenolic acids, cinnamic acids, saponins, triterpenes, phytosterols, ubiquinone, melatonin, new aminophenols, and vitamin E. Argane oil contains high levels of antioxidant compounds.