41. Variation in bioactive composition, antioxidant attributesand fatty acids profile of Phoenix dectylifera L. fruits in relation to different extraction solvents
Abstract
The present study was planned to determine the antioxidant and fatty acids profile of different varieties of Phoenix dectylifera L. The sample of Ajwa date, Ajwa paste, Moti jhari and Basrah were taken to evaluate the antioxidant potential and fatty acids of their pulp and seeds, because unsaturated fatty acids are useful for heart diseases. The extract yields from these samples ranged from 32.68 to 55.0 g/100g dry weight (DW). Maximum yield was obtained by 80% ethanol. All extracts contained appreciable amount of total flavonoid and total phenolic contents (20.6-43.5 CE mg/g DW), (110.6-490.9 GAE mg/100g DW), respectively. All date varieties exhibited good reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activity with contribution of EC50 2.56 to 6.2 mg/mL and IC50 2.5-7.6 mg/mL of extract, respectively. Maximum amount of total flavonoids and total phenolics was obtained by 50% methanol and 100% methanol extract, respectively, whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing potential was higher for 50% ethanol and 100% ethanol extract. Extracts of ajwa date pulp and seed exhibited maximum value of total phenolic contents and extracts of ajwa paste exhibited maximum value of total flavonoid contents. Ajwa date exhibited greater DPPH scavenging activity and reducing potential. All samples contained a wide range of phenolic acids among which Gallic acid is the most diversified phenolic acid. Ajwa date contained maximum value of total phenolic acids (1005.03mg/kg). All samples contain appreciable amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids among which percentage of oleic acid (21%) was higher in Ajwa dates. The present results indicated that pulp and seeds of Phoenix dectylifera L. have good antioxidant potential, considerable contents of phenolics and appreciable amount of fatty acids, so can be used for prevention of heart diseases, in food industry, oil industry and pharmaceuticals as a natural source of antioxidants and preservatives.
Keywords: Dates; Antioxidant potential; Reducing powers; Fatty acids; Phenolics; GC and HLPC
