Antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of Ajwa date and their effect on lipo-protein profile.

Background: Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are well known as both a food and economic crop for many years worldwide due to its substantial nutritional, health, and economic benefits besides its appeal and environmental value. However, although Date pits are rich in phenolic and antioxidant contents, they are generally neglected and treated as a waste product. Ethnobotanical records indicate the potential of Ajwa dates pits and flesh having phenolics, antioxidants, and some other nutrients. Objective: The purpose of the study was to extract the phenolic contents and to determine the antioxidant scavenging activity of Ajwa date flesh and pits in comparison to local date varieties in three different solvents with three different concentrations, and to observe their effect on the high lipo-protein profile of albino mice. Materials and Methods: Three solvents viz. Methanol, Ethanol, and Acetone were used at concentrations of 70%, 80%, and 90% to make nutraceutical extracts. These extracts were characterized for numerous nutritional parameters. Correlation of flavonoid with phenolic, DPPH, ABTS, and other parameters were studied. The above extracted Ajwa flesh and pits extracts were then administrated to high cholesterol induced albino mice under three different treatments (10%, 20% and 30%) in four different groups where one group was studied as control. Results: Pits appeared to be the richest source for total phenols and total flavonoid contents. Such extracts from pits were high in DPPH and ABTS activity compared to that of the flesh in all date cultivars, which were the highest in Ajwa pits (3932.3 mg GAE/100g, 2956.2 mg QEC/100g, 96.3% and 86.2% respectively). In the comparative analysis of solvents, 80% ethanol extracted the highest antioxidant activity for both DPPH and ABTS assay in all date varieties and their parts. Behaviour of solvent for polyphenol (Total phenols and total flavonoids) extraction was highly variable so that a single solvent cannot be recommended for extraction. Highly significant correlation of flavonoids with DPPH was observed in pits part. Phenolic contents positively correlated with flavonoids, DPPH, and ABTS. DPPH and ABTS also revealed a strongly positive correlation. In PCA analysis phenolic contents, flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity showed a strong relation among pits, while demonstrating a weak relation in flesh parts. Furthermore, results also depicted that 30% extracts of Ajwa pits have a higher effect on the percent reduction of total protein, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels, in addition to a significant percent increase in HDL-C levels in treated albino mice. Conclusion: The work identifies variability among the flesh and pits of Ajwa date and local date varieties for their polyphenols contents, antioxidant activity, and their health beneficial effect against a high Lipo-protein profile that can be used as an active ingredient against different maladies in food products and supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]