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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Bioresource Management

Saffron By-Products as Underused Resources: An Ethnobotanical Survey and Phytochemical Study in the Taliouine Region

  • Zineb Khadfy1
  • Rachid Mamouni1
  • Sm Jadouali2
  • Imane Kasimi1
  • Hajar Atifi1
  • Abd Elghani Tahiri3
  • Youssef Karra3
  1. 1Team of Biotechnology, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.
  2. 2Department of Environmental Engineering Higher School of Technology / Khenifra Sultan Moulay Slimane University. Morocco
  3. 3Natural Resources and Local Products Research Unit, Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institut of Agriculture Research, Inezgane, Agadir, Morocco
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Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus ) is a very traditional plant in Morocco, especially in the Taliouine region. Saffron stigmas are traditionally used as a food additive due to their secondary metabolites. Our study aims to assess the traditional uses of saffron by-products, generated after the harvest of saffron stigmas, by local populations of Taliouine and regions. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 42 local people in six communities. The survey consisted of two parts: the first part was about the demographic information of the respondents (name, age, sex, and level of education.). While the second part concerns questions that target the use of saffron bio-residues (plant parts used, types, and mode of use). The results show that only 36% of respondents report the use of saffron by-products. Cosmetic uses showed the highest percentage (38%). The petals (50%) and stamens (42%) were the main used parts in powder form (69%), followed by maceration form (19%). The high content of bioactive compounds, and the high antioxidant activity of saffron by-products especially tepals, validated the traditional uses of this biomass by the population of Taliouine surveyed. Saffron by-products are rarely used by residents due to the lack of agricultural training and formal education among local farmers and residents.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{khadfy2026saffron,
  title = {{Saffron By-Products as Underused Resources: An Ethnobotanical Survey and Phytochemical Study in the Taliouine Region}},
  author = {Zineb Khadfy and Rachid Mamouni and Sm Jadouali and Imane Kasimi and Hajar Atifi and Abd Elghani Tahiri and Youssef Karra},
  journal = {Journal of Bioresource Management},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.35691/jbm.6202.0036},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.35691/jbm.6202.0036},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Saffron By-Products as Underused Resources: An Ethnobotanical Survey and Phytochemical Study in the Taliouine Region
AU  - Zineb Khadfy
AU  - Rachid Mamouni
AU  - Sm Jadouali
AU  - Imane Kasimi
AU  - Hajar Atifi
AU  - Abd Elghani Tahiri
AU  - Youssef Karra
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Journal of Bioresource Management
DO  - 10.35691/jbm.6202.0036
UR  - https://doi.org/10.35691/jbm.6202.0036
AB  - Saffron (Crocus sativus ) is a very traditional plant in Morocco, especially in the Taliouine region. Saffron stigmas are traditionally used as a food additive due to their secondary metabolites. Our study aims to assess the traditional uses of saffron by-products, generated after the harvest of saffron stigmas, by local populations of Taliouine and regions. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 42 local people in six communities. The survey consisted of two parts: the first part was about the demographic information of the respondents (name, age, sex, and level of education.). While the second part concerns questions that target the use of saffron bio-residues (plant parts used, types, and mode of use). The results show that only 36% of respondents report the use of saffron by-products. Cosmetic uses showed the highest percentage (38%). The petals (50%) and stamens (42%) were the main used parts in powder form (69%), followed by maceration form (19%). The high content of bioactive compounds, and the high antioxidant activity of saffron by-products especially tepals, validated the traditional uses of this biomass by the population of Taliouine surveyed. Saffron by-products are rarely used by residents due to the lack of agricultural training and formal education among local farmers and residents.
SN  - 2309-3854
ER  -