BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME DATE CULTIVARS (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.)

In this study, five Algerian date cultivars ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) were investigated for their antioxidant contents, phenolic profiles, and some pharmacological properties (anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant activities). The results showed that the Tanslit cultivar was the most concentrated in total phenolic compounds and flavonoids with 433.03 +/- 0.47 96 mg QE/100g DM and 102.5 +/- 3.96 mg QE/100g DM, respectively. The Tamdjohert cultivar was the richest on anthocyanins (9.83 +/- 0.07mg CE/100g DM). HPLC analysis indicated that the Tamdjohert cultivar contained a high flavonoids concentration (8.22 +/- 0.53mg/100g DM), and the Takarmoust cultivar displayed the highest concentration of phenolic acids (15.64 +/- 0.41mg/100g DM). The results indicated that the Litim cultivar exhibited strong hydroxyl radical inhibition (134.95 +/- 18.07mg GAE/100g DM), and also potently inhibited alpha-amylase activity (35.19 +/- 4.98%). The Tamdjohert cultivar exerted the highest reduction of inflammatory mediators (255.87 +/- 18.47mg GAE/100g DM). This study demonstrated that date fruit was a good source of bioactive compounds with important pharmacological properties and can be considered as functional food.