Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.

) that
is endemic to Morocco. In Morocco, argan oil is used to dip bread in at breakfast or to drizzle
on couscous or pasta. World-wide, it is gaining a reputation both as an ingredient in high-end,
personal-care products and as a heart-healthy gourmet product. [1]
Contents
[hide]

1 Extraction

2 Properties and uses

o

2.1 Culinary uses

2.2 Cosmetic uses

3 Impacts
o

3.1 Environmental impacts

3.2 Social impacts

4 References

5 External links

Extraction[edit]

The production of argan oil by traditional methods

The fruit of the argan tree is small, and are round, oval or conical. A thick peel covers the fleshy pulp.
The pulp surrounds a hard-shelled nut that represents approximately 25% of the weight of the fresh
fruit.
The nut contains one to three argan oil-rich kernels. Extraction yields from 30% to 50% of the oil in
the kernels, depending on the extraction method. [2]

Extraction is key to the production process. To extract the kernels, workers first dry argan fruit in the
open air and then remove the fleshy pulp. Some producers remove the flesh mechanically without
drying the fruit. Moroccans usually use the flesh as animal feed.
The next stage involves cracking the argan nut to obtain the argan kernels. Attempts to mechanize
this process have been unsuccessful, so workers still do it by handmaking it a time-consuming,
labour-intensive process. Berber women often engage in this arduous task.
Workers gently roast kernels they will use to make culinary argan oil. After the argan kernels cool,
workers grind and press them. The brown-colored mash expels pure, unfiltered argan oil. Finally,
they decant unfiltered argan oil into vessels. The remaining press cake is protein-rich and frequently
used as cattle feed.[2]
Cosmetic argan oil is produced almost identically, though the argan kernels are not roasted to avoid
an excessively nutty scent.
The decanted argan oil is left to rest for approximately two weeks so that solids suspended in the
argan oil settle to the bottom, creating a natural sediment. The clearer argan oil is further filtered,
depending on the required clarity and purity. Pure argan oil may contain some sediment. This is a
natural part of the production process and does not affect quality.

Properties and uses[edit]

Fatty acid

Percentage

Oleic

42.8%

Linoleic

36.8%

Palmitic

12.0%

Stearic

6.0%

Linolenic

[3]

Argan oil has a relative density at 20 C (68 F) ranging from 0.906 to 0.919.[4]
Argan oil contains tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols, carotenes, squalene, and fatty acids,
(80% unsaturated fatty acids)[5]The main natural phenols in argan oil are caffeic
acid, oleuropein, vanillic acid, tyrosol, catechol, resorcinol, ()-epicatechinand (+)-catechin.[6]

<0.5%

Depending on the extraction method, argan oil may be more resistant to oxidation than olive oil.[7]

Culinary uses[edit]
Culinary argan oil (argan food oil) is used for dipping bread, on couscous, salads and similar
uses. Amlou, a thick brown paste with a consistency similar to peanut butter, is produced by grinding
roasted almond and argan oil using stones, mixed with honey and is used locally as a bread dip.
Various claims about the beneficial effects on health due to the consumption of argan oil have been
made. Researchers have concluded that daily consumption of argan oil is "highly likely" to be one
factor that helps prevent various cancers,cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.[8]
The results of a nutritional intervention study, in which volunteers consumed either argan oil or
animal fats (butter) in their diet, were published in 2005. The results showed thatas with olive oil
and some other vegetable oilsregular dietary intake of argan oil instead of butter reduced
harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.[9]

Cosmetic uses[edit]
Moroccans traditionally use unroasted argan oil to treat skin diseases, and as a cosmetic oil for skin
and hair:
"In cosmetics, argan oil is advocated as moisturizing oil, against juvenile acne and flaking of the skin
as well as fornourishing the hair. This oil has also medicinal uses against rheumatism and the
healing of burns ... Externally, argan oil is used ... for hair as brilliantine, to fortify and ... in the
treatment of wrinkled or scaly dry skin."[10]
Argan oil has become increasingly popular for cosmetic use. The number of personal-care products
on the US market with argan oil as an ingredient increased from just two in 2007 to over one
hundred by 2011. It is sometimes mixed withpomegranate seed oil due to its antioxidizing benefits,[11]
[12]

with vendors promoting this blend as an all-in-one serum both for skin and hair.[13] Argan oil is also

sold without additives as a natural skincare and hair care product.,[14][15]

The increasing popularity of argan oil has prompted the Moroccan government to plan for increased
production, with their aim being to increase annual production from approximately 2,500 to 4,000
tonnes by 2020.[16]

Impacts[edit]
The production of argan oil is beginning to have noticeable environmental and social impacts. Argan
oil production means that argan trees are now seen as a valuable resource. This has led to their
preservation with a secondary impact on the environment. In Morocco, for example, the labourintensive nature of argan oil production, now frequently carried out by women's co-operatives, has
provided a steady income for many women and their families, improved the social status of some
women and has encouraged producers of other agricultural products to examine the co-operative
model.[citation needed]

Environmental impacts[edit]

The Argan tree provides food, shelter and protection from desertification. The tree's deep roots help
prevent desert encroachment. The canopy of the argan tree also provides shade for other
agricultural products, and its leaves and fruit provide food for animals. [4]
The argan tree also helps landscape stability, helping to prevent soil erosion, providing shade for
pasture grasses and helping to replenish aquifers. [17]
Producing argan oil has helped to protect argan trees from being cut down. In addition, regeneration
of the Arganeraie has also been carried out: in 2009 an operation to plant 4,300 argan plants was
launched in Meskala in the province ofEssaouira.[18]
RARBA (Rseau des Associations de la Rserve de Biosphre Arganeraie, Network of Associations
of the Argan Biosphere Reserve) was founded in 2002 with the aim of ensuring sustainable
development in the Arganeraie.[19]
RARBA has been involved with several major projects, including the Moroccan national antidesertification programme (Programme National de Lutte contre la desertification (PAN/LCD)). The
project involved local populations and helped with improvements to basic infrastructure,
management of natural resources, revenue generating activities (including argan oil production),
capacity reinforcement and others.[20]

Social impacts[edit]
The production of argan oil has always had a socio-economic function. At present, argan oil
production supports approximately 2.2 million people in the main argan oil producing region (the
Arganeraie).[16]
Much of the argan oil produced today is made by a number of women's co-operatives. Cosponsored by the Social Development Agency (SDA) with the support of the European Union, the
UCFA (Union des Cooperatives des Femmes de lArganeraie) is the largest union of argan oil cooperatives in Morocco. It comprises twenty-two co-operatives that are found in other parts of the
region (e.g., Cooprative Al Amal, Cooprative Amalou N'Touyag, Cooprative Tissaliwine,
Cooprative ArganSense, and Cooprative Maouriga). [21]
Employment in the co-operatives provides women with an income, which many have used to fund
education for themselves or their children. It has also provided them with a degree of autonomy in a
traditionally male-dominated society and has helped many become more aware of their rights. [22]
The success of the argan co-operatives has also encouraged other producers of agricultural
products to adopt the co-operative model.[23]
The establishment of the co-operatives has been aided by support from within Morocco, notably the
Fondation Mohamed VI pour la Recherche et la Sauvegarde de lArganier (Mohammed VI
Foundation for Research and Protection of the Argan Tree),[24] and from international organisations,
including Canada's International Development Research Centre [25] and theEuropean Commission.[22]
Funding has enabled technical support for the production and marketing of argan oil and for
technical, professional and personal development of the women involved in the co-operative. [25]