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Origanum majorana L. is an aromatic plant from the Lamiaceae family, considered as one of the popular plants in Tunisia since it was known to have many biological potentials and frequently grown in gardens as a condiment plant. The aim of this work is to explore the chemical composition, the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anticoagulant and insecticidal activities of the flowering aerial parts extracts and the essential oil (EO) of this plant. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC/MS. Polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were quantified from three organic extracts. The antimicrobial activities were assessed against 8 bacteria; 4 Gram negative and 4 Gram positive ones; and 4 fungal strains. The biofilm inhibition was determined in vitro by the micro dilution method against 3 bacteria. Prothrombin time (PT) and kaolin clotting time (KCT) tests were employed to investigate the anticoagulation potential for the first time. The repellent activities of the organic extracts and the fumigant activity of the EO were studied. The flowering aerial parts EO is rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (54.38%) especially in terpinen-4-ol. For the antimicrobial activities, the tested oil displayed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity (MIC = 1.5 mg/mL), and showed a good antibiofilm activity against the tested bacteria with inhibition values greater than 51 ± 1.04% at MIC dose. Furthermore, it has anticoagulant activities with a prothrombin time of 37.3 ± 0.36 s and KCT of 48.1 ± 0.26 s at a concentration of 15 mg/mL, as well as fumigants activities against Tribolium castaneum. Polyphenols and tannins contents were found to be the highest in ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts. The two extracts showed interesting antibacterial and antifungal activity with values of MIC ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/mL, and from 2.5 to 20 mg/mL, respectively. Also, they present a strong antibiofilm activity at different MICs. Ethyl acetate extract has an interesting anticoagulant activity at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL with 52.18 ± 0.49 s for KCT. Ethanolic extract is a promising anticoagulant agent (16.9 ± 0.02 s for PT and 45.72 ± 0.24 s for KCT at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL). Only Petroleum ether extract has repellent activities (62.5 ± 8.5%) against an insect pest tested. The aerial parts of Origanum majorana could be considered as new source of anticoagulant, antibiofilm, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticide molecules for pharmaceuticals and pest purposes. However, further research must be undertaken to identify the active molecules responsible for these biological activities.

"تعدّ النّخلة في جزيرة جربة ملكة الشجر إذ أنّها تغطي الجزء الأكبر من فضاء الجزيرة وتهيمن على مشهدها الطبيعي بشكل لا يمكن معه أن نتخيل منظرا جريبًا دون ""عش نخيل"" ذي ارتفاع يتراوح بين العشرة أو العشرين مترا. يتوزّع النخيل بشكل غير منتظم نسببًا: فنجده بمركز الجزيرة مصحوبا بأشجار أخرى، بينما يغطي المتاحل شريط متفاوت الأساع. لا يوجد الجزيرة تجمعا كثيفا للنخيل مثلما هو الشأن في لواحات القارية وذلك لضعف تربتها ولانعدام الينابيع والأنهار ورغم ذلك فالنخلة إستعمالات ديدة تتجاوز الحاجيات المادية المباشرة المرتبطة ضمان العيش وتحقيق البقاء بفعل حضور لمواد المستخرجة منها فى صنائع عدّة ناميك عن الأبعاد الرمزية الأسطورية التى ساقلها الجماعات جيلا بعد جيل وتتجلى فى بعض ممارس انهم العقائدية التى نميط اللثام عن شبكة العلاقات الإجتماعية. ستحاول هذه المداخلة من خلال تعتب المعارف والمهارات والممارمات المرتبطة بالنخلة في مختلف ناصر التراث الثقافي المادي وغير المادي، أولا : إثارة سؤال حول الخصوصيات الجزيرية، ثانيا: دراسة مقارنة مع مجال غير جزيري يعرف نفس العنصر ألا وهو منطقة نفزاوةٌ من الجنوب الغربي التونسي."

Four species of Riella were discovered in a small anthropogenic temporary pond on Djerba island (southern Tunisia). Riella bialata Trab. is not only a very rare species worldwide, but also a new record for Tunisia, and R. cossoniana Trab., R. macrocarpa (P.Allorge) Puche, Segarra-Moragues, Sabovlj., M.Infante & Heras, and R. notarisii (Mont.) are confirmed from Tunisia. Observations from fieldwork were combined with the results of spore culture to understand the presence of the species in this habitat. Significant differences in development, life strategy and ecology were hypothesised to promote the existence of the four Riella species in a small pond. Conservation issues were raised due to the anthropic origin of the habitat, emphasising the site’s ecological significance and vulnerability.

A high frequency of sprouting (85.0%) and shoot differentiation is observed in the primary cultures of nodal explants of Malus domestica L. cultivar Douce de Djerba on MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg.L−1) plus IBA (0.1 mg.L−1). In vitro proliferated shoots are multiplied rapidly by culture of shoot tips on MS medium with BAP (1.0 and 2.0 mg.L−1) which produce the greatest multiple shoot formation. The BAP has a positive effect on the multiplication and growth, but a concentration that exceeds 4.0 mg.L−1 decreases the growth. A high frequency of rooting (66.7%) with development of healthy roots is observed from shoots cultured on half strength MS medium enriched with IBA (3.0 mg.L−1) and 2.0 g.L−1 of activated charcoal. Plants with well developed roots were transferred to soil with a survival frequency of 60%.

Olive tree cultivation in theMediterranean goes back to ancient times. Evensince the Roman Age, olive cultivation spreadto the entire Mediterranean basin. Thislongevous tree integrates and identifieseconomically, socially, and culturally theinhabitants of this basin and determines itsrural landscape. For the residents of theMediterranean, olive oil constituted the mainsource of nutritional fats, their most valuableexport product, and was identified with theirculture. Even now, olive cultivation has amultiple importance for the Mediterranean. Theolive groves, which grow mostly on inclined,shallow, and low fertility soils, and onhand-made stone terraces, have limited wateringrequirements and sustain the fragile naturalresources of the Mediterranean. Today,olive cultivation in the Mediterranean is anadditional income source and supports thepopulation in rural areas during the winterperiod, which profit from summer and seatourism activity. Although anagro-ecosystem, the olive grove resembles thenatural Mediterranean ecosystem and abandonmenttransforms them into natural Mediterranean typeforests. Their change of use from olivecultivation to pasture degrades the ecosystemand decreases the natural resources, because ofover-grazing. At this time, two major factorsthreaten the traditional olive cultivation (i)the competition of the intensive olive grovesin plain and irrigated areas and (ii) thecheaper seed-oils, which intensify theabandonment of traditional olive groves andchange them into pasture, resulting in thedeterioration of the ecosystem. Olivecultivation has left its mark on life in theMediterranean and has contributed to thesustainability of natural resources.Nevertheless, it succumbs under the pressure ofcurrent socioeconomic situations. Today, theconservation of olives in productionconstitutes a necessity for the fragileMediterranean ecosystems and a challenge foreverybody involved.

Objective :The aim of this study was to document the diversity and use of natural plants in the island of Djerba (Tunisia) in traditional pharmacopoeia and other uses in order to develop an ethnobotanical catalogue that could subsequently be the subject of scientific research.Materials and Methods: The technique of semi-structured interviews was used with people originating and residing or not in Djerba. Occasional conversations and direct observations were exploited for one year.Results: We have identified 86 plants out of 122 mentioned belonging to 80 genera and 43 families. Asteraceae were the most important family represented by 13 species followed by Lamiaceae and Poaceae (7 species each). The results showed that 45 species have medicinal uses (52.32%). Leaves were the most used parts (59% of species for medicinal use). Decoction was the most common method for preparing remedies.Conclusion: This study provides an important source of information for flora valorization in the studied region. The results could form a database for the search of new natural substances with added value.

The benthic foraminiferal genus Amphistegina is currently expanding its range in the Mediterranean Sea after being introduced through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea. Over the previous decade, Amphistegina spp. has colonized the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea including the Egyptian and Libyan coasts, but the present southern limit in the Mediterranean Sea is along the southern Tunisian coast. However, this limit has never clearly been defined, and existing models predict an expansion along the entire Tunisian coastline. The Gulf of Gabes, in the southern part of Tunisia, is heavily polluted by local phosphate industries that discharge untreated waste directly into the sea. Amphistegina spp. is sensitive to water quality and marine pollution. Based on our surveys and recent investigations, the present distribution area of Amphistegina spp. along the south Tunisian coast includes the coastline east of Djerba Island, located in the Gulf of Gabes. Possible limiting factors for Amphistegina spp. expansion in the Gulf of Gabes may be the unfavourable environmental conditions generated by the phosphate industry. Kateb, Akram El; Stalder, Claudio; Stainbank, Stephanie; Fentimen, Robin; Spezzaferri, Silvia