China: Moroccan Research Team Wins Two Awards for Study on Valorising Argan Press Cake

Wenzhou (China) – A team of researchers from Mohammed V University in Rabat has won two awards at the 2026 World Young Scientist Summit, held from October 23 to 25 in Wenzhou, eastern China, for research exploring the use of argan press cake to develop value-added food products.

Researchers Badr Eddine Kartah, Asma El Kaourat and Hanae El Monfalouti, from the university’s Faculty of Sciences, received the Best Scientific Paper Award. Professor Kartah also received the award for Best Oral Presentation for the same research.

Entitled “Sustainable Valorisation of Argan Press Cake: Nutritional and Technological Quality of Enriched Wheat Bread,” the study examines the potential for incorporating residues from argan oil extraction into wheat bread. It focuses in particular on their contribution to the nutritional and technological quality of the finished product, with a view to sustainably valorising a resource emblematic of Morocco.

The research seeks to transform a by-product of argan oil extraction into a useful ingredient for the food industry. This approach could help make better use of raw materials, reduce waste and expand the range of applications for the argan tree, in line with the principles of the circular economy.

Presented on behalf of the team at the Laboratory of Plant Chemistry and Organic and Bioorganic Synthesis (LCPSOB) at the Faculty of Sciences, the research has also led to a Moroccan patent registered with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC), as well as a publication in the international scientific journal (Foods), ranked in the first quartile (Q1) of its field.

The two awards recognise collaborative research combining scientific investigation, experimentation and prospects for practical application. They also highlight the role of university research in valorising national resources and developing solutions with potential industrial applications.

The 2026 World Young Scientist Summit brought together nearly 800 participants from more than 60 countries and regions in Wenzhou, including scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of scientific and technological institutions. Discussions focused, among other topics, on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technologies, life sciences and sustainable development.

The summit featured 12 parallel scientific forums, alongside conferences, specialised workshops and exhibitions showcasing technological innovations. Professional networking sessions also provided opportunities to explore funding, technology transfer and ways to translate scientific findings into economically valuable products and services.

The scientific competition featured more than 300 presentations. A total of 66 research papers and 85 scientific posters were selected, in addition to 142 abstracts submitted. Eight contributions were ultimately recognised among the outstanding written papers and oral presentations.