Forest seeds present a particular importance because they are the principal organs which condition the reforestation success. Furthemore, successful production of replanting seedlings for outplanting sites depends on many parameters, especially biological ones. Along this study, we were interested in the valorization of Cedrus atlantica seeds, by the chemical characterization of essential oils extracted by steam distillation, during different stages of their germination. The yield of the Atlas cedar seeds essential oils obtained varied between 0.7 and 1.45%, depending on the germination’s stage. Also the results of chromatographic analysis by GC / FID and GC / MS revealed that the seeds are rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (alcohols and esters). The chemical map of the essential oils depends on the seeds germination’s stage of these organs which indicates that the biosynthesis of these compounds play an important role in the germination phases of Atlas cedar seeds.
