Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of seventeen Moroccan date varieties and clones (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Dates are known to have a wide range of biological properties due to their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. The majority of Moroccan varieties and clones are not characterised for their bioactive compounds and their contribution to the total antioxidant activity. The aim of this research was to investigate the biochemical properties and antioxidant activities of 17 dates varieties and clones from Drâa oasis (southern Morocco) which have not been characterised yet. The results indicated that the total phenolic content was found between 101.06 and 478.37 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of dry matter (DM), the total flavonoids levels are between 1.79 and 216.12 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g of dry matter (DM), and condensed tannins values range is between 5.29 and 152.15 mg of catechin equivalent (CE)/100 g dry matter (DM), and the antioxidant activity ranged between 0.219 and 2.028 mg/ml for FRAP IC50, 2.411 and 9.738 mg/ml for DPPH IC50. This study showed that date fruit is a veritable source of functional nutrients and natural antioxidants. Therefore, Moroccan dates can be used as a food or functional ingredient in food products. • The Moroccan varieties and clones dates are rich in bioactive compounds. • The gallic acid is the most abundant phenolic acid in the studied dates. • The cultivars are characterised by an important antioxidant activity related to their phenolics compounds. • The antioxidant activity is correlated especially with caffeic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]