Bibliometric and comparative analysis of research on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco: Positioning and perspectives in the world

2.1 Data source and collection process

The primary database used for this bibliometric study is Scopus, renowned for its extensive and comprehensive catalog of scientific publications across various disciplines (Baas et al., 2020). Scopus is particularly valued in bibliometric research for its broad coverage, making it an ideal tool for conducting in-depth analyses in the fields of Science, Technology, and Medicine (STM) (Singh et al., 2021). Scopus was chosen over other databases due to its wide base of international scientific literature and its robust citation tracking capabilities, essential for assessing research impact and trends. Unlike databases that specialize in specific fields or regions, Scopus provides the global perspective crucial for this study’s aim to map research activities and collaborations for essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants (Raut et al., 2014).

The research parameters were meticulously defined to focus on scientific literature related to essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants from Morocco. Keywords such as “essential oils,” “aromatic plants,” “medicinal plants,” and “Morocco” were used in a structured query to ensure the retrieval of relevant articles. An advanced search was conducted via the Scopus search interface using the specified keywords. The search was strategically filtered to include only peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, and conference proceedings that are pertinent to the defined study objectives, ensuring the relevance and quality of the data collected.

2.2 Bibliometric analysis methods

For the analysis of the bibliometric data extracted from Scopus, R Studio version 4.3.3 was employed, utilizing specialized packages like bibliometrix (Guerreschi et al., 2023). This setup allowed for the extraction and analysis of bibliographic data, computation of bibliometric indicators such as the H-index and journal impact factor, and generation of statistical and graphical outputs (Bonilla-Chaves et al., 2023). Bibliometrix facilitated the assessment of citation networks, keyword co-occurrence, and author co-citation networks, providing a comprehensive toolkit for this study (Kipper et al., 2020). To further augment the analysis, bibliometric data were imported into VOSviewer version 1.6.20 for network visualizations. This tool was instrumental in mapping the connections between co-authors, co-citations, and keywords, thereby illuminating the most influential contributors, prevalent research clusters, and dominant themes within the field (Aziz et al., 2018). These visualizations not only highlight the intellectual landscape but also suggest areas for potential future research (El Hammoudani et al., 2024).

By employing these sophisticated bibliometric tools and techniques (Fig. 1), the methodology ensures a rigorous and thorough exploration of the bibliometric data, revealing the dynamics and evolution of research on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco. This analysis not only highlights the current research status but also guides future studies by identifying emerging trends and potential research gaps.

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Fig. 1.

Workflow of bibliometric analysis and data visualization.

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2.3 Background behind choosing the keywords

The selection of keywords for this bibliometric study was crucial to ensure the retrieval of relevant and comprehensive data on the research related to essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco (AlRyalat et al., 2019). The chosen keywords were “essential oils,” “aromatic plants,” “medicinal plants,” and “Morocco.” Each keyword was carefully selected for its significance and relevance to the study’s objectives. “Essential oils” were included to capture a wide range of studies focused on their extraction, chemical composition, and applications due to their importance in aromatherapy, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. “Aromatic plants” ensured the inclusion of research on plants known for their fragrance and essential oil content, broadening the scope to cover their aromatic properties. “Medicinal plants” extended the search to include studies on the healing properties and medicinal uses of these plants, reflecting their role in both traditional and modern medicine. Finally, “Morocco” was essential to geographically constrain the search, allowing for a focused analysis of contributions and advancements made by Moroccan researchers. This combination of keywords was designed to comprehensively cover the relevant literature, setting a solid foundation for analyzing research trends, impacts, and collaborations in the field within the Moroccan context.

3.1 Bibliometric analysis overview

The bibliometric data on research related to essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco from 2010 to 2024 highlight several key points. The research has shown steady growth with an annual growth rate of 5.26%, indicating increasing interest and activity in this field. The 612 documents produced, with an average of 15.12 citations per document, demonstrate the relevance and impact of Moroccan research on a global scale. The high level of international collaboration, with 42.32% of publications involving international co-authorship, underscores the integration of Moroccan researchers into the global scientific community, thus enhancing the quality and visibility of their work. The predominant use of English (587 documents) for publications shows the focus on reaching a broad international audience, although some research has also been published in French (27 documents), Spanish (2 documents), and Chinese (1 document). The diverse types of publications, predominantly articles (546), followed by reviews (28) and conference papers (17), reflect a wide dissemination of research findings. Overall, the data indicates a robust and growing field of study in Morocco, with strong international ties and significant academic impact (Table 1).

3.2 Interdisciplinary trends and distribution across research fields

The interdisciplinary nature of the research on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants is evident from the diverse fields contributing to the body of literature. Fig. 2 illustrates the distribution of publications across various disciplines, showcasing the broad applications and relevance of this research. Agricultural and Biological Sciences account for the largest share (23%), emphasizing the foundational importance of plant biology and cultivation techniques in understanding and utilizing these natural resources. Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutics collectively represent the second-largest category (17%), highlighting the therapeutic applications of essential oils in modern medicine. Medicine (16%), Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology (11%) also play significant roles, reflecting the growing interest in the chemical composition and bioactive properties of these compounds.

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Fig. 2.

Documents by subject area.

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Interestingly, fields such as Environmental Science (11%) and Chemistry (4%) underline the focus on sustainable extraction methods and the environmental impact of essential oil production. The smaller contributions from social sciences, health professions, immunology, microbiology, and multidisciplinary studies demonstrate the emerging but still limited exploration of these areas in relation to essential oils.

This distribution reflects the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the field. Traditional disciplines, such as agriculture and chemistry, intersect with applied sciences like pharmacology and environmental studies. These trends not only underscore the versatility of essential oils and aromatic plants but also highlight the potential for further integration of less-represented fields and fostering innovative approaches and solutions.

3.3 Pioneering research: Key articles and leading journals in essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants

Table 2 provides an overview of the key journals with research on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants, and highlights various impact metrics. The Journal of Essential Oil-Bearing Plants, classified as Q2 with an H-index of 39 and an SJR of 0.43, stands out with 34 articles, 472 total publications, and 1956 citations, indicating moderate impact and quality. Natural Product Research, also classified as Q2 with an H-index of 71 and an SJR of 0.41, has 19 articles leading to 3109 publications and 15882 citations. Conversely, the Journal of Materials and Environmental Science and Pharmacology online has missing data on citations and SJR but shows a moderate to low quality with Q3 and Q4 classifications. Chemistry and Biodiversity and South African Journal of Botany show strong research impact with high H-indexes (83) and solid SJR values, 0.41 and 0.54, respectively, reflecting significant contributions in their fields. Overall, the diversity in journal classifications (Q2 to Q4) and impact metrics (H-index and SJR) indicates a wide range of research quality and influence within the domain of essential oils and medicinal plants.

Table 3 highlights the top ten most-cited articles on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants from Morocco, underscoring their significant impact in the scientific community. The leading article, “Antioxidant and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Some Commercial Essential Oils and Their Major Compounds” (2011), published in Molecules, has received 201 citations, showing its high relevance. Other notable articles include studies on the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of various essential oils, such as those from Mentha pulegium, Juniperus phoenicea, and Cyperus longus, published in Food Research International (2012) with 158 citations, and the therapeutic potential of argan oil reviewed in Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2010) with 125 citations. These articles collectively illustrate the diverse research interests in Morocco, ranging from antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to insecticidal activities and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. The authors’ contributions, often in collaboration with international researchers, highlight the integration of Moroccan research into the global scientific discourse, further enhancing its visibility and impact.

Global Dynamics and Impactful Contributions in Essential Oils and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants. The co-authorship network visualization (Fig. 3) generated by VOSviewer illustrates the collaborative relationships among researchers in the field of essential oils and medicinal plants in Morocco. The different color clusters represent groups of researchers who frequently collaborate, such as the green cluster centered around El Guerrouj, Bouchra, and Addi, Mohamed. Key researchers like Bouyahya and Abdelhakim (yellow cluster), and Bourhia and Mohammed (purple cluster) are central figures, connecting various research groups, indicating their pivotal role in the research community. The network also highlights international collaborations with researchers like Zengin and Gokhan. The thickness of the lines between nodes indicates the frequency of collaborations, with thicker lines representing more frequent interactions. This visualization underscores the strong collaborative network within Morocco’s research community and its integration into the global scientific landscape.

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Fig. 3.

Collaboration network of authors.

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3.4. Bibliometric mapping keywords

The keyword co-occurrence network (Fig. 4) generated by VOSviewer highlights the central themes and connections in Moroccan research on essential oils and medicinal plants. The terms “essential oil,” “essential oils,” and “Morocco” are prominently positioned at the center, indicating their high frequency and importance. The network is divided into distinct thematic clusters: the red cluster focuses on phytochemistry and traditional medicine, the blue cluster on antimicrobial activity, the green cluster on specific chemical compounds like pinene and camphor, and the yellow cluster on chemical composition and analysis methods. The connections between keywords show frequent co-occurrences, revealing key research interests such as antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, chemical analysis, and medicinal applications of essential oils.

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Fig. 4.

Co-occurrence map of the keywords.

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3.5. Geographical distribution

The geographical distribution of publications related to essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants highlights Morocco’s active contribution to global scientific research. As shown in Table 4, Morocco has produced 544 documents with 8,381 citations, achieving an average of 13 citations per article. This positions Morocco as a leader within the African research landscape, although there is still room for improvement when compared to global leaders.

Fig. 5 illustrates the geographical distribution of scientific output, showcasing Morocco as a central hub for collaboration. Strong links with countries such as France, with 91 co-authored publications and an average of 22.2 citations per article, underscore the importance of these partnerships in enhancing research quality and visibility. Similarly, Morocco collaborates actively with Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, reflecting a diverse network of scientific relationships that span continents.

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Fig. 5.

Geographical distribution map.

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The partnerships with European countries like Spain and Portugal are particularly noteworthy. Spain leads in terms of citation impact, with an average of 52.1 citations per article, followed closely by Portugal at 38.9 citations per article. These high averages indicate that collaborative research with these countries often results in impactful publications, likely due to shared expertise, advanced methodologies, and access to international funding.

Within the African context, Morocco collaborates with neighbors, such as Tunisia and Egypt, leveraging shared biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems to address common challenges. Despite these strong regional ties, the limited number of publications from some African countries indicate potential opportunities for fostering new collaborations to advance continental research initiatives.

The co-authorship network visualized in Fig. 3 provides further insights into Morocco’s scientific ecosystem. This figure highlights clusters of collaboration, with prominent Moroccan researchers connecting with international institutions in thematic areas such as phytochemistry, antimicrobial studies, and sustainable extraction techniques. The thickness of the lines between nodes signifies the frequency of collaborations, while the clustering reflects thematic specializations.

Despite these achievements, Morocco faces challenges as compared to global leaders such as the United States, China, and India, which dominate this field with larger scientific outputs and more diverse research themes. Addressing these gaps will require strategic investments in research infrastructure, increased funding allocations, and broader international partnerships.

This analysis underscores Morocco’s pivotal role as a bridge between African and European research networks. By capitalizing on its rich biodiversity and enhancing its research capabilities, Morocco can further strengthen its global scientific standing and contribute to advancements in the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

3.6. Trends and perspectives

Research on essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by the country’s unique biodiversity and the increasing global demand for sustainable and natural products (Fig. 6). A key trend is the adoption of environmentally friendly extraction methods, particularly supercritical CO₂ extraction, which offers the dual benefit of preserving bioactive properties of essential oils while minimizing environmental harm. This focus on green technologies reflects a broader global shift towards sustainable practices. Furthermore, the field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, with significant contributions from agricultural sciences, pharmacology, biochemistry, and environmental science. These collaborations have opened pathways for diverse applications, ranging from pharmaceutical innovations to eco-friendly pest control solutions.

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Fig. 6.

Geographical spread of essential oils and aromatic and medicinal plants: A global bibliometric perspective.

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At the same time, Morocco’s scientific community is increasingly engaging in international collaborations, particularly with European and Middle Eastern researchers. These partnerships have proven essential for accessing advanced technologies, increasing funding opportunities, and enhancing the visibility of Moroccan research on a global scale. However, challenges remain, including limited research infrastructure, inadequate funding, and underrepresentation in high-impact international journals. Addressing these issues will require strategic investments in research and development, as well as efforts to strengthen local capacities and global outreach.

Looking ahead, the future of this field in Morocco lies in leveraging digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for bibliometric analyses, as well as expanding the applications of essential oils into emerging areas like antimicrobial resistance, biodegradable materials, and eco-friendly agriculture. Moreover, clear regulatory frameworks and certifications such as GACP and ISO standards will be pivotal in ensuring quality and competitiveness in the global market. By capitalizing on its rich natural resources and addressing existing challenges, Morocco has the potential to solidify its position as a global leader in the research and sustainable development of essential oils and aromatic plants.