Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Phoenix Dactilifera L. Seeds in Morocco with Antioxidant Activities Using Chemometrics

Abstract

The phytochemical compounds and the antioxidant activity of ten varieties of Phoenix dactilifera L. seeds in Morocco were examined. The phytochemical screening was used to reveal the presence of some important compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, catechic tannins, terpenoids, leucoanthocyanins, carotenoids, alkaloids, saponins as well as the absence of Gallic tanins and cardiac glycosids. The total phenolic content was ranged between 381.29 ± 2.31 and 138.92 ± 1.75 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g of extract, the total flavonoid content was between 163.53 ± 1.82 and 46.74 ± 1.26 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, and tannins were found from 95.87 ± 2.08 to 24.20 ± 1.45 mg catechin equivalent/g extract. Indeed, the scavenging ability with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays recorded a low inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranged from 1.52 to 4.78 µg/mL and from 18.90 to 46.62 µg/mL respectively. Likewise, the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) assay showed a good reduction capacity of ferric ions ranged from 69.25 to 161.26 µg/mL.