La pollution des ecosystemes terrestres par du cadmium d'origine industrielle (usine d'engrais phosphates) se traduit par des taches necrotiques au niveau des feuilles et par une accumulation importante de cet element dans ces feuilles et dans les horizons superficiels des sols. A proximite de la source d'emission, les taux de cadmium dans le sol depassent 10 fois les valeurs normales. Au niveau des feuilles, elles sont 10 a 30 fois plus elevees que chez les temoins et dependent de la nature de l'espece, de la distance (correlation negative) et des conditions topographiques

In order to increase the knowledge about crop tolerance to air pollutants in the different agroclimatic zones of the world, so that they can be efficiently considered for improving peri-urban agriculture, increasing the success of restoration projects, or enhancing air quality in polluted sites, the suitability of four economical valuable tree crops of the Mediterranean agriculture were studied under field conditions: date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), fig tree (Ficus carica L.), and olive tree (Olea europaea L.). The measurement of biochemical markers such as ascorbic acid content, leaf relative water content, leaf total chlorophyll and leaf extract pH, at two contrasted air quality sites, a polluted site located around Gabes (Tunisia) industrial area and a control site, allowed the assessment of the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API) for the assayed species. Results showed obvious differences between the evergreen and the caducifolious tree crops assayed. Phoenix dactylifera tree (API = 6) was classified as an excellent performer for growing under poor air quality, followed by Olea europaea tree (API = 2) which was classified as a moderate performer. Both of trees can be recommended for successful results in peri-urban agriculture and restoration projects of polluted areas in the Mediterranean climate; on the contrary, the suitability of the Punica granatum (API = 1) was very poor, but still potentially interesting as a biological indicator of air pollution. Regarding the Ficus carica tree (API = 0), this species is not suitable for growing in air-polluted areas.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic drug, has adverse effects on heart and kidney functions. Ficus Carica (fig) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are natural sources which have antioxidant effects. This study investigated the synergistic effects of fig extract and EVOO against cardiac and renal damage induced by 5-FU. Forty rats were equally divided into five groups and treated with physiological saline (control), five intravenous injections of 5-FU (40 mg/kg b.w) (5-FU), fig (1 g/kg b.w/day, orally) with 5-FU (Fig/5-FU), EVOO (7 g/kg b.w/day, orally) with 5-FU (EVOO/5-FU), combined treatment of fig and EVOO with five 5-FU injections (Fig/EVOO/5-FU). After 30 days, blood and tissue samples (Heart and kidney) were collected to be used in the examinations. 5-FU significantly increased serum creatine kinase activity, renal biomarkers, cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β as well as cardiac and renal lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde). Meanwhile, serum levels of immunoglobulins, interleukins (IL-10, IL-12), and antioxidants of heart and kidney tissues were significantly decreased in 5-FU group. It also downregulated cardiac and renal Bcl2, and upregulated cardiac troponin and renin gene expressions. As well, histological alterations clarified that 5-FU induced cardiac cell damage, distorted renal corpuscles and tubules, inflammatory cell infiltrations, and severe congestion and hemorrhage in the blood vessels. The treatment with fig and olive oil, especially the combined treatment, modulated the toxic effect of 5-FU on the heart and kidney. Our results revealed that fig extract and EVOO have a powerful antioxidant and many protective effects against cardiac and renal toxicity induced by 5-FU, especially when using fig and EVOO together as a combined treatment.

The utilization of sustainable and biodegradable lignocellulosic fiber to detoxify the noxious Cr(VI) from wastewater is considered a versatile approach to clean up a contaminated aquatic environment. The aim of the present research is to assess the proficiency and mechanism of biosorption on Ficus carica bast fiber via isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Harkin’s–Jura, and Dubinin–Radushkevich), kinetic models, and thermodynamic parameters. The biomass extracted from fig plant was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. To optimize the maximum removal efficiency, different parameters like effect of initial concentration, effect of temperature, pH, and contact time were studied by batch method. The equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) onto biosorbent was found to be 19.68 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model adequately described the kinetic data. The calculated values of thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (∆H ⁰), entropy change (∆S ⁰), and free energy change (∆G ⁰) were 21.55 kJ/mol, 76.24 J/mol K, and −1.55 kJ/mol, respectively, at 30 °C which accounted for spontaneous and endothermic processes. The study of adsorbent capacity for Cr(VI) removal in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SO ₄ ²⁻ , HCO ₃ ⁻ and Cl⁻ illustrated that the removal of Cr(VI) increased in the presence of HCO³⁻ ions; the presence of Na⁺, SO ₄ ²⁻ or Cl⁻ showed no significant influence on Cr(VI) adsorption, while Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions led to an insignificant decrease in Cr(VI) adsorption. Further, the desorption studies illustrated that 31.10 % of metal ions can be removed from an aqueous system, out of which 26.63 % of metal ions can be recovered by desorption in first cycle and the adsorbent can be reused. The results of the scale-up study show that the ecofriendly detoxification of Cr(VI) from aqueous systems was technologically feasible.

Biodiesel appears to be a possible substitute for non-renewable fossil fuels; however, its production requires the presence of a catalyst to accelerate the reaction. Serving the purpose of finding effective, cheap and environmentally safe, heterogeneous catalysts, this research used the fig leaves in three different forms, calcined, activated by KOH, and activated by both K₂CO₃ and CaCO₃. Their efficiency in biodiesel synthesis, from spent cooking oil, was examined and compared with that of activated carbon which has been previously investigated. The properties of different catalyst forms were specified using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Operating parameters studied for the three catalysts were reaction time (from 30 to 180 min), alcohol-to-oil molar ratio (from 4:1 to 10:1), catalyst loading (from 0.5 to 5% by wt.), and stirring speed (from 100 to 400 rpm). The increase in reaction time, molar ratio, and catalyst loading proved to have a favorable effect on % conversion to biodiesel but to a certain degree; increasing the stirring speed augmented the conversion. At optimum conditions (2 h of heating, 6:1 alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, 1% by wt. catalyst loading, and 400 rpm stirring), fig leaves activated by KOH provided the highest conversion to biodiesel (92.73%). The measured properties of the produced biodiesel (density, viscosity, flash point, cloud point, and pour point) yielded encouraging results. Graphical Abstract