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In Morocco, the abundance of low-value varieties in the oases may provide an opportunity to capitalize on this richness to create new nutraceutical food products. In this context, the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Moroccan date varieties were analyzed. Our results indicate that the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total condensed tannins vary, respectively, from 91.86 to 364.35 mg GAE/100 g of dry weight (DW), 46.59 to 111.80 mg QE/100 g DW and 16.10 to 42.03 mg CE/100 g DW during the 2021 harvest season. Furthermore, during the 2022 harvest season, these contents vary, respectively, from 119.13 to 410.39 mg GAE/100 g DW, 59.30 to 110.85 mg QE/100 g DW and 21.93 to 53.95 mg CE/100 g DW. The results of the HPLC-UV-VIS analysis revealed that, in all four varieties, gallic acid was and remained one of the major compounds in the date extracts. In addition, a high antioxidant activity of date extracts was particularly observed in the three tests, namely ferric reducing power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelating capacity (FIC) and the phosphomolybdate test. This richness in phenolic compounds makes low-value dates a source of active ingredient that can replace the synthetic antioxidants used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phoenix dactylifera , commonly known as the date palm, is one of the oldest cultivated trees. Prized for its fruit known as dates, which exhibit numerous medicinal properties both alone and in combination with other plants, dates have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Dates are widely used in traditional medicine to treat fever and inflammation, and are commonly consumed by pregnant women pre and post-childbirth, thus serving as a comprehensive diet rich in secondary metabolites. They possess diverse pharmacological effects, including anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardiovascular, neuroprotective and nephroprotective properties. This review highlights the phytochemical composition of dates, factors influencing this composition, and their associated pharmacological effects. The findings will stimulate further research into the medical and nutraceutical applications of dates. [Display omitted] • This review examines date composition in bioactive compounds from recent studies. • Few reviews analyze pre/post-harvest factors affecting bioactive compounds in dates. • The nutritional and therapeutic values of dates have been explored. • The potential of dates in pharmaceutical and food industries has also been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]