In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity of different extracts of Phoenix dactylifera L. fruits as functional foods

Date crop is of great economic importance in Egypt. Fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. family Palmae) Zaghlool are very commonly consumed in Egypt. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of methanolic, petroleum ether and water extracts of the edible portion (flesh part) and seeds of date fruit in-vitro. Proximate analysis of the dry edible portion was carried out. Vitamin E, beta-carotene and total phenolic contents of the edible portion of the fruits were also determined. Total phenolic content was found to be 1461 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight. Antioxidant activity of the different extracts of the edible portion of fruit according to the beta-carotene bleaching method ranged from 9.28% to 75.96%. Antioxidant activity of petroleum ether seeds extract was 8.16%, while methanolic and water extracts of seeds were devoid of any activity. The present study showed that the antioxidant activity of the edible portion might be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and cc-tocopherol.