Articles
Bacteriological assessment of coastal waters: A case study of terga beach
Abstract :This study investigates the bacteriological quality of coastal waters at Terga Beach, Ain Temouchent, Algeria. In August 2024, five water samples were collected using sterile 900 mL glass bottles and analyzed within six hours using ISO-standard membrane filtration methods to detect total coliforms, faecal coliforms (Escherichia coli), faecal streptococci, and clostridia (Clostridium perfringens). Results showed uncountable levels of total and faecal coliforms (>2400 CFU/100 mL), indicating severe recent faecal contamination, likely from untreated domestic wastewater. Faecal streptococci averaged 5 CFU/100 mL (±1.58), while clostridia averaged 11.2 CFU/100 mL (±1.30), pointing to intermittent and historical pollution. These values exceed national and international bathing water standards, raising public health concerns. The study calls for improved wastewater infrastructure, stricter environmental enforcement, and routine microbiological monitoring using advanced techniques. These measures are vital for protecting coastal ecosystems and ensuring safe recreational water use.
Keywords : Bacteriological analysis, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, clostridia.
Submitted on: 09-01-2025 | Accepted on: 01-07-2025 | Published on: 03-07-2025
Les mycoendophytes de l’avoine spontanée : identification et potentiel antifongique
Endophytic fungi of wild oats: identification and antifungal potential
Abstract :This study aims to inventory the endophytic fungi colonizing the stems of Avena sterilis ssp. sterilis, a wild cereal, and to evaluate their antagonistic activity against two major cereal phytopathogenic fungi: Fusarium oxysporum and Helminthosporium sp. The isolation of mycoendophytes was carried out on PDA medium, followed by purification and morphological identification (both macroscopic and microscopic). Among the identified fungal species were Alternaria alternata, Penicillium roqueforti, Ulocladium chartarum, Mucor sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Rhizoctonia solani. Co-culture experiments were conducted to assess their inhibitory potential against the two targeted phytopathogens. The inhibition rate was calculated, and inhibition zones were classified according to the Narayane scale. The results reveal a promising antifungal potential in several isolates, suggesting that the endophytes of A. sterilis ssp. sterilis could represent a valuable biological resource for the biocontrol of fungal diseases in cereals
Keywords : endophyte, inventory, antifungal, oat.
Submitted on: 22-05-2025 | Accepted on: 11-06-2025 | Published on: 12-06-2025
Morphological study of the leaves and fruits of red juniper (Juniperus pheonicea)
Abstract : A study of the intra- and inter-population variability of morphological characters for leaves and fruits (galls) in the taxon Juniperus pheonicea. pheonicea was carried out at three stations (Djelfa, Boussaâda and Sétif) characterised by different bioclimates. The number of trees randomly selected was thirty (30) for the leaves and thirty (30) for the fruits (galls), from each of the three stations. The sampled twigs and galls were dried and preserved in the laboratory. A total of nineteen quantitative and qualitative morphological characters were studied, nine (9) for the leaves and ten (10) for the galls. Comparative analysis using different statistical methods (Descriptive Elements, ANOVA, PCA) showed highly significant variability for the majority of the variables included. This variability is probably due to the climate or linked to the genetics and age of the sample trees
Keywords : Juniperus phoenicea, scales, galls, variability, morphology, stations
Submitted on: 18-04-2024| Accepted on: 03-06-2025 | Published on: 05-06-2025
Impact of climate change on post-harvest fungal pathogens: Emerging risks and adaptive strategies
Abstract : Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing post-harvest fungal pathogens, with far-reaching consequences for food security, safety, and global trade. Rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased atmospheric CO₂ levels are reshaping the ecological dynamics of fungal species that infect stored crops. Key mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium, are particularly sensitive to these changes, with studies indicating shifts in their geographic distribution, virulence, and toxin production. Warmer and more humid conditions accelerate fungal growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis, while extreme weather events disrupt traditional post-harvest drying and storage practices, exacerbating contamination risks. Additionally, climate-induced stress in crops may weaken their natural defenses, making them more susceptible to post-harvest infections. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how climate change influences post-harvest fungal pathogens, highlighting emerging risks such as the spread of thermotolerant strains, increased mycotoxin contamination, and the development of fungicide resistance. Furthermore, we explore adaptive strategies to mitigate these threats, including advancements in storage technologies (e.g., hermetic systems, controlled atmospheres), the application of biocontrol agents (e.g., antagonistic microbes, plant-derived antifungals), and the integration of predictive modeling for early disease detection. By addressing these challenges through multidisciplinary approaches—combining agronomy, microbiology, and climate science—we can develop resilient post-harvest management systems that safeguard food supplies in a warming world
Keywords : Climate change, post-harvest pathogens, fungal diseases, food security, predictive modeling, adaptive strategies
Submitted on: 01-05-2025 | Accepted on: 27-05-2025 | Published on: 29-05-2025
Impact of ecosystem degradation on the dynamic of vegetation in the Djelfa region-Algeria
Abstract : Steppe ecosystems in Algeria, known for their distinctive biodiversity and delicate balance, are facing increasing degradation caused by human activities and climate change. This study aims to analyze the effect of ecosystem degradation on the composition of plant communities. To carry out a detailed floristic and ecological analysis of the vegetation in our study area, we developed a plant typology using two multivariate statistical methods. The first technique used is Correspondence Factor Analysis (AFC), which revealed the phytoecological relationships between the different groups of plants as well as the main ecological factors that explain their differences. This analysis led to the identification of five vegetation units, each corresponding to various plant formations: forest, pre-forest, steppe, degraded steppe and pre-Saharan steppe. These results indicate an evolution towards steppe formations such as those dominated by Stipa tenacissima L., which are often accompanied by varying degrees of degradation. The proliferation of species such as Arthrophytum scoparium (Pomel) Iljin., Astragalus armatus Willd. and Thymelea microphylla Coss. & Durieu., which are often considered widespread in these emerging plant communities, demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of some species in response to environmental changes. As a result, some plant species that cannot adapt to new environmental conditions disappear, which upsets the ecological balance.
Keywords : algerian steppe, vegetation; dynamism, degradation
Submitted on: 15-12-2024 | Accepted on: 11-05-2025 | Published on: 28-05-2025
