Soutenance de Thèse de Doctorat en "Chimie des substances naturelles et chimie analytique" présentée par M. Héritier UWIKUNDA SERONDO

Euromed University of Fes (UEMF) is pleased to announce the public defense of a doctoral thesis in

“Natural Products Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry”

The thesis defense will take place on March 31, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at UEMF.

The thesis will be presented by Mr. Héritier UWIKUNDA SERONDO on the topic:

“Extraction, Identification, Structural Characterization and Multi-Activity Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Moroccan Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae)”

Abstract

This doctoral research presents a comprehensive investigation of Moroccan Cannabis sativa L. (the “Beldia” variety), integrating phytochemical, biological, physicochemical, and computational approaches to explore its potential bioactive properties and industrial applications. Different parts of the plant (resin, leaves, and seeds) were subjected to extraction followed by the study of their chemical compositions and biological activities. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were quantified, while antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated, revealing significant variability between plant parts. High-resolution NMR spectroscopy was applied for the quantification of major phytocannabinoids, while LC-MS was used for the identification of phytocannabinoids, providing reliable analytical tools for the characterization of Moroccan cultivars.

Column chromatography separation of the extracts led to the isolation of seven compounds, three of which are reported for the first time in this doctoral thesis. Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS). Their antioxidant properties were evaluated, and in silico molecular docking studies were performed to investigate potential anticancer activities against multiple oncology targets. The results highlighted promising compounds with significant binding affinities.

The chemical fingerprint of the extracts was performed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analyses (PCA, 2D IR correlation, Pearson correlation). Furthermore, a quantitative profile of the main cannabinoids was performed using 1D CPMG NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis. The analysis revealed the predominance of Δ⁹-THC and CBD.

Additionally, selected extracts and pure compounds were examined using thermal, spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques to evaluate corrosion inhibition efficiency. These approaches demonstrated the potential of natural products derived from C. sativa as environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors.

Overall, this doctoral research highlights the chemical diversity and multifunctional potential of Moroccan Cannabis sativa, providing insights into its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

Jury Members

Full Name	Category	Institution	Role
Prof. Salim BOUNOU	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Jury President
Prof. Noureddine EL AOUAD	Full Professor	FMP-UAE, Tangier	Reviewer
Prof. Touriya ZAIR	Full Professor	FSM-UMI, Meknes	Reviewer
Prof. Meriame BRICHA	Associate Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Reviewer
Prof. Laila MANNI	Associate Professor	FST-USMBA, Fez	Member
Prof. Abdelatif BOUKIR	Full Professor	FST-USMBA, Fez	Member
Prof. Hamid EL AMRI	Full Professor	IAV Hassan II, Rabat	Guest
Prof. Nabil EL BRAHMI	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Thesis Director
Prof. Saïd EL KAZZOULI	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Thesis Co-Director