Assessment of Biochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Algerian Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Seed Oil

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) trees are largely cultivated across the Algerian oases; they are principal sources of remuneration and the economic basis for residents of these areas. Date palm fruits are rich sources of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, with many potential health benefits, yet there are few studies on the chemical composition and biological properties of date palm seed oil. In this study, we present an in-depth characterization of the biochemical composition and antioxidant properties of date palm seed oil (DPSO) produced in Algeria. DPSOs of eight Algerian cultivars, Arechti, Degla-Baida, Deglet-Nour, Ghars, Haloua, Itima, Mech-Degla, and Tentbouchet, were investigated to determine their biochemical compositions and antioxidant properties. The results highlight the potential of DPSO as an alternative food and a natural resource, thanks to several important compounds having high antioxidant capacity. In particular, fatty acids and triacylglycerol (TAGs) analyses showed that oleic (42.74–50.19%), lauric (18.40–22.2%), and myristic (8.83–10.17%) were the major fatty acids, while 1-myristoyl 2-oleoyl 3-linoleoyl glycerol, 1-linolenoyl 2-oleoyl 3-linoleoyl glycerol, 1-2-linolenoyl 3-linoleoyl glycerol, and 1-linolenoyl 2-myristoyl 3-linoleoyl glycerol were the major TAGs. Biophenols and tocopherols analyses revealed the presence of important compounds, such as catechin (22.04–24.92 mg/kg), vanillin (10.67–23.98 mg/kg), and α-tocopherol (443.59 mg/kg), at high remarkable levels. Therefore, a comparison with the literature data concerning other seed oils, including olive oil, confirms that DPSO can be considered a high-quality oil, from a biochemical and biological point of view.

Arecaceae Seeds Constitute a Healthy Source of Fatty Acids and Phenolic Compounds

“…have been largely documented, particularly those for P. dactylifera because of the huge amount of date seeds generated as by-products in the food industry, with MA, PA, and LA being their main FAs. OA was reported as the most abundant FA (usually > 47% of total FAs), followed by LaA (up to 22% of total FAs) [ 6 , 27 ]. Seeds of other Phoenix species showed similar values regarding FA profiles, such as P. canariensis (33.0% LaA, 32.9% OA, 11.5% MA, 10.6% LA), or P. reclinata (34.8% OA, 21.7% LaA, 19.9% LA, 10.6% MA) [ 5 ].…”

“…Concerning Phoeniceae species reported here, the amounts of identified and quantified phenolic compounds for seeds of P. dactylifera varieties were similar (134.1 and 144.3 mg/100 g for Deglet Nour and Medjool varieties, respectively). Previous works on Deglet Nour showed disparate values for TPC, from 155 mg to 3 g GAE/100 g [ 27 , 41 ], and the latter indicated a total flavonoids content (TFC) at 2 g of rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g ( Supplemental Table S1 ). Overall, our results agree with those by [ 27 ].…”

“…Previous works on Deglet Nour showed disparate values for TPC, from 155 mg to 3 g GAE/100 g [ 27 , 41 ], and the latter indicated a total flavonoids content (TFC) at 2 g of rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g ( Supplemental Table S1 ). Overall, our results agree with those by [ 27 ]. In P. dactylifera var.…”

“…In P. dactylifera var. Deglet Nour , the most cited compounds have been caffeic, gallic, protocatechuic, and syringic acids, as well as flavonoids such as catechin and rutin [ 17 , 27 , 42 , 43 ]. All these compounds were found in the present work, but the main compound detected here was vanillic acid (22.0 mg/100 g).…”

Traditional oases in Northern Africa as multifunctional agroforestry systems: a systematic literature review of the provided Ecosystem Services and of the main vulnerabilities

“…The provision of timber and byproducts is cited only 18 times, but it is interesting that many of these papers focus on the innovative use of byproducts to support new markets and increase farmers' incomes. The oil made by date seeds, in fact, can be considered a high-quality oil from a biochemical and biological point of view, and an excellent source of antioxidants in food and medicine preparation (Harkat et al 2022;Metoui et al 2019). Dates can also be used to produce low-cost fructose syrup that can be used as additive in the food industry (Chaira et al 2011).…”