DATE SEED OIL: PHENOLIC, TOCOPHEROL AND STEROL PROFILES

Arecaceae Seeds Constitute a Healthy Source of Fatty Acids and Phenolic Compounds

Seeds of most Arecaceae species are an underutilized raw material that can constitute a source of nutritionally relevant compounds. In this work, seeds of 24 Arecaceae taxa were analyzed for fatty acids (FAs) by GC-FID, for phenolics by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, and for their antitumor activity against the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line by the MTT assay. Lauric, oleic, and linoleic acids were the prominent FAs. Cocoseae species contained total FAs at 28.0-68.3 g/100 g seeds, and in other species total FAs were from 1.2 (Livistona saribus) to 9.9 g/100 g (Washingtonia robusta). Sabal domingensis, Chamaerops humilis, and Phoenix dactylifera var. Medjool had unsaturated/saturated FA ratios of 1.65, 1.33-1.78, and 1.31, respectively, and contained 7.4, 5.5-6.3, and 6.4 g FAs/100 g seeds, respectively. Thus, they could be used as raw materials for healthy oilseed production. Phenolics ranged between 39 (Livistona fulva) and 246 mg/100 g (Sabal palmetto), and of these, caffeic acid, catechin, dactylifric acid, and rutin had the highest values. (-)-Epicatechin was identified in most seed extracts by LC-MS. Hydroalcoholic extracts from five species showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on HT-20 cells growth at 72 h (GI₅₀ at 1533-1968 µg/mL). Overall, Arecaceae seeds could be considered as a cheap source of health-promoting compounds.

Date Palm as Source of Nutraceuticals for Health Promotion: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic diseases are problematic to health professional specially when using drugs throughout the course of life with un-tolerated side effects. Returning to nature through using nutraceuticals might have both protective and therapeutic effects. Date palm was claimed to be a good source of such nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients. The purpose of the present review was to spot light on the different phytochemicals, phytonutrients, and remedial effects of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in a goal to be utilized in form of nutraceuticals. The possible mechanisms of action of the remedial effects were among the aim of the study.

RECENT FINDINGS

A protein hydrolyzate prepared from date seed could prevent DNA mutation and susceptibility to cancer. In addition to cancer prevention, date palm fruit improved the treatment outcome of cancer pediatric patients and possesses anti-angiogenic activity as one of the important anticancer mechanisms of action. On the other hand, date seed extracts was recently reported to protect from ulcerative colitis. It seems that all the aforementioned remedial effect might be ascribed to immunoregulatory effect of date palm. These findings proposed that date palm is beneficial for health. Date palm fruit is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, energy, and easily digestible and absorbable sugars that instantaneously replenish and revitalize the body specially after fasting condition. Mineral contents in date fruits include potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Diverse health claims were reported to belong to various parts of the tree including the edible part of fruits, the seeds, the leaves, spathe (an envelope-like structure that encloses male and female date palm flowers), and pollen grains due to the presence of different bioactive constituents. The main phytochemicals and phytonutrients reported in date palms are phenolic compounds, carotenoids, sterols, anthocyanins, and others. In folk medicine, date palm fruits are used for enhancing immunity and treating gastrointestinal tract disorders, edema, bronchitis, wound, cancer, as well as infectious diseases. However, the exact health benefits and remedial effects of date palm were not fully and deeply investigated. The present review focused on the bioactive constituents and the reported health benefits of date palm and proposed mechanism of action.

Advanced treatment of effluent extended aeration process using biological aerated filter (BAF) with natural media: modification in media, design and backwashing process

Biological aerated filters (BAFs) have high filtration efficiency due to their tolerance of hydraulic and organic shocks are suitable for the treatment of complex and sanitary wastewater. In this study, for the first time, natural media of date kernel from Bam city was used as the BAF reactor media, with a meshing sand filter separated by a standard metal grid from the natural filter section used at the end of the reactor. This can be considered an innovation in the media and filtration. Aeration in the related reactor with 160 cm height was performed bilaterally as up-flow and continuously by nozzles throughout the reactor media. In this work, the actual effluent of the hospital wastewater treatment plant was employed as the inflow wastewater to the reactor, and its organic and inorganic parameters were measured before and after the treatment by the BAF reactor. The backwashing process was also studied in three ways: bottom backwashing (TB), top backwashing (BB), and top and bottom backwashing (TBBS), to determine the amount of water consumed and to achieve the desired result. According to the results obtained in this study, the removal efficiencies of inorganic and microbial contaminants, amoxicillin and azithromycin were obtained as follows: BOD₅: 98.48%, COD: 92.42%, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }$$\end{document}NO3-: 99.4%, P: 93.3%, Coliforms: 97%, Color: 42.8%, Turbidity: 95%, Sulphate: 30%, TSS: 98.9%, Amoxicillin: 20% and azithromycin: 13%. In the backwashing process, the amount of water consumed in these three TB, BB, and TBBS methods were obtained 300, 164, and 118 L, respectively, So, TBBS method was selected as the optimal method. Based on the results obtained in this study, it is concluded that the BAF process with natural date kernel has a high efficiency in removing organic and inorganic contaminants from hospital wastewater, also the concentration of most of the effluent parameters was less or in accordance with EPA standard.

Date Seeds: A Promising Source of Oil with Functional Properties

The cultivation of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the main activity and source of livelihood for people from arid and semiarid regions of the world. Date production is increasing every year. In addition, pitted date exportation is rising and great amounts of date seeds are produced. This biomass represents a problem for manufacturing companies. At the moment, date seeds are normally discarded or used as animal feed ingredients. However, this co-product can be used for many other applications due to its valuable chemical composition. Oil is one of the most interesting components of the date seed. In fact, date seeds contain 5-13% oil. Date seed oil contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with lauric and oleic as the main ones, respectively. Tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds are also present in significant amounts. These phytochemicals confer added value to date seed oil, which could be used for many applications, such as food product formulations, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review provides up-to-date data on the different extraction techniques and the chemical composition of date seed oils. The applications of date seed oil have also been reviewed.

Consequences of hydrogenated vegetable fat substitution with Ajwa seed oil on physicochemical and nutritional aspects of functional cookies

The core objectives of the current study were to explore and compare the proximate and nutritive composition of both types of cookies prepared either with Ajwa seed oil (ASO) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) and comparative analysis of the antioxidantal potential of both cookies and to reconnoiter the storage effects on the quality parameters of the cookies over a period of 60 days. Outcomes revealed that the cookies prepared with the ASO were superior (p < .05) in fat% and energy as compared to the cookies with HVF. Due to the presence of functional moieties, ASO cookies were found with better palatability, increased shelf life with enhanced physical properties and better functionality. Therefore, the findings of the current study revealed that ASO could be used as an alternative fat source for the preparation of novel functional cookies instead of conventional vegetable fats.

Can Agro-Industrial By-Products Rich in Polyphenols be Advantageously Used in the Feeding and Nutrition of Dairy Small Ruminants?

Simple Summary

In the Mediterranean area, where dairy sheep and goats are widespread, the use of by-products in the diet of small ruminants is an ancient practice. Today the great availability of industrial by-products produced at the local level (e.g., grape, olive, tomato and myrtle residues), appears to be a promising strategy for reducing competition with human edible foods and the cost of off-farm produced feeds since they are imported worldwide. Moreover, these co-feeds can contribute to reducing the ecological and water footprint associated with crop cultivation. The presence of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, confers added value to these materials. Several positive aspects are apparent when such by-products are included in the diets of small dairy ruminants, in particular on ruminal metabolism, animal health, and the quality of derived products.

Abstract

Recently, the interest in industrial by-products produced at the local level in Mediterranean areas, resulting from fruit and vegetable processes, has increased because of their considerable amounts of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols. In this review, we analyze the most recent scientific results concerning the use of agro-industrial by-products, naturally rich in polyphenols (BPRP), in the diets of small dairy ruminants. Effects on milk production, milk and rumen liquor fatty acid profile, metabolic parameters, and methane production are reviewed. The feed intake and digestibility coefficients were generally depressed by BPRP, even though they were not always reflected in the milk yield. The main observed positive effects of BPRP were on quality of the milk’s FA profile, antioxidant activity in milk and blood, a reduction of rumen ammonia, and, consequently, a reduction of milk and blood urea. The expected beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols in small ruminants were not always observed because of their complex and variable matrices. However, owing to the large quantities of these products available at low prices, the use of BPRB in small ruminant nutrition offers a convenient solution to the valorization of residues arising from agricultural activities, reducing feed costs for farmers and conferring added value to dairy products at the local level, in a sustainable way.

Oleochemical Properties for Different Fractions of Foxtail Millet Bran

Foxtail millet (FM) is one of the oldest cultivated grain crops with a variety of nutritions, and foxtail millet bran (FMB), a by-product of FM milling process, is also rich in variety of nutrient substance. There are four classifications of FMB, namely coarse bran (FMCB), skin bran (FMSB), polished bran (FMPB) and mixed bran (FMMB). Because these nutrients are distributed within the different fractions of FMB, we compared some chemical composition and its oleochemical properties of four FMB samples. Results showed that the oil extracted from FMB is high value-added plant oil. It contains abundant unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), with the main UFAs were linoleic acid (65%~69%) and oleic acid (12~17%), which accounted for more than 80% of the lipids. The main triacylglycerols were trilinolein (LLL) and oleodilinolein (OLL). There were no evident difference on fatty acid, triacylglycerol and sterols profiles for FMSB, FMPB and FMMB, but the contents of amino acids, tocols, squalene and oryzanol were different.

Chemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant capacity of nine Algerian date palm cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed oil

Date pits are another major date palm crops and low grade rejected, used locally in the management of diabetes and as animal feed ingredient or turned into non-caffeinated coffee by the Arabs although their richness with valuable bioactive and antioxidant compounds. In this study and for the first time, lipids, fatty acids profiles, total tocopherols and sterols of nine (9) Algerian date palm cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed oil were investigated and their antioxidant activities were evaluated. Oil yield ranged from 4.86% to 6.7% . Gas liquid chromatography revealed that the oil fraction contained unsaturated fatty acids in majority with the preponderance of oleic acid (37.83–55.00%) followed by lauric and myristic acids (6.63–25.36% and 9.30–19.33%) respectively. The study of the unsaponifiable fraction revealed the presence of sterols and tocopherols. The sterols contents ranged from 4.7 to 8.45 mg/g DW. Whereas, the levels of total tocopherols ranged from 0.32 to 0.74 mg/DW, which α-tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol (15.57% – 74.1%) followed by (β+γ)-tocopherol (25.12% – 56.01%). The antioxidant activity of date seeds oil was determined with DPPH radical scavenging assays. The oils had a moderate bleaching effect on DPPH free radicals, where Ghars (GH), Sbo3 Lossif (SL) and Timjhourt (TIM) seed oils were the active ones. The richest of date seed oil by active components such sterols, tocopherols also high amounts of oleic, lauric and other fatty acids suggest it to be as a useful source of edible oils for human consumption as well as using as additives in food, for medicinal use, in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food industries.

Physico-chemical Characteristics and Oxidative Stability of Date-Pits Oil during Storage at Different Temperatures

In this study, oxidative stability of date-pits (i. e. Khalas variety) was investigated during storage as a function of temperature. The stability of date-pits oil was determined by measuring acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (PAV), tocopherol and oxidative stability index. Initial characteristics of oil were assessed by measuring its physico-chemical and melting characteristics, fatty acids composition and aflatoxin. Storage of date-pits caused highest reduction in linoleic acid (C18:2, ω6) followed by oleic acid (C18:1, ω9). AV, PV and PAV of the fresh oil were 1.41 mg KOH/g oil, 3.30 meq/kg oil and 0.60, respectively. These values increased linearly at slower rate in the case of 30 °C storage, while sharp rise was observed after 40 days in cases of 100 and 150 °C storage (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that date pits oil had a good oxidative and thermal stability and could thus be used to develop value-added food ingredients.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Three Selected Dates from Tunisia (Phoenix dactyliferaL.)

Second-grade dates (Phoenix dactyliferaL.), with hard texture, from three selected Tunisian cultivars (Allig, Deglet Nour, and Bejo) were analysed from their antioxidant activities using DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP assay, H2O2scavenging activity, and metal chelating activity. Date extracts showed strong and concentration-dependant activity in all tested methods. The results showed that the best antioxidant activity was obtained in Allig, followed by Bejo and Deglet Nour. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, carotenoids, and tannins were determined spectrophotometrically in three date extracts. Results indicated that date contained significantly different amounts of these compounds. In fact, Allig presented the highest antioxidant compounds, followed by Bejo and Deglet Nour. Correlation analyses indicated a positive linear relationship between antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid content of date. This study demonstrates the potential antioxidant activity with Tunisian date, where we can use these natural extracts as food additives in replacement of synthetic compounds.

Vitamin E analyses in seeds reveal a dominant presence of tocotrienols over tocopherols in the Arecaceae family

Tocopherols are thought to prevent oxidative damage during seed quiescence and dormancy in all angiosperms. However, several monocot species accumulate tocotrienols in seeds and their role remains elusive. Here, we aimed to unravel the distribution of tocopherols and tocotrienols in seeds of the Arecaceae family, to examine possible trends of vitamin E accumulation within different clades of the same family. We examined the tocopherol and tocotrienol content in seeds of 84 species. Furthermore, we evaluated the vitamin E composition of the seed coat, endosperm and embryo of seeds from 6 species, to determine possible tissue-specific functions of particular vitamin E forms. While seeds of 98.8% (83 out of 84) of the species accumulated tocotrienols, only 58.3% (49 out of 84) accumulated tocopherols. The presence of tocopherols did not follow a clear evolutionary trend, and appeared randomly in some clades only. In addition, the tissue-specific location of vitamin E in seeds revealed that the embryo contains mostly α-tocopherol (in seed tocopherol-accumulating species) or α-tocotrienol (in seed tocopherol-deficient species). However, some species such as Socratea exorrhiza mostly accumulate β-tocotrienol, and Parajubaea torallyi accumulates a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols in the embryo. This suggests that tocotrienols can play a similar protective role to that exerted by tocopherols in seeds, at least in some species of the Arecaceae family. We conclude that tocotrienol, rather than tocopherol, accumulation is a conserved trait in seeds of the Arecaceae family.

Aframomum stipulatum (Gagnep) K. Schum and Aframomum giganteum (Oliv. & Hanb) K. Schum as Aroma Tincto Oleo Crops resources: essential oil, fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols composition of different fruit parts of Congo varieties

BACKGROUND

Today, few known plant species provide both an essential oil (EO) and a vegetable oil (VO). Seed and husk of two Aframomum species were investigated and compared in terms of EO, fatty acids, tocopherols, and tocotrienols.

RESULTS

EO yield reaches 15.3 g kg(-1) in the seeds and 3.2 g kg(-1) in the husks, while VO yield is 180.0 g kg(-1) in the seeds and 25.0 g kg(-1) in the husks. β-Pinene, 1,8-cineol, α-selinene, terpine-4-ol, linalool, myrtenal and β-caryophyllene are the major compounds of seed and husk EO. Fatty acid analysis of two Aframomum species shows that oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids were the major compounds of VO. Total sterol contents reached 4.3 g kg(-1) in seed VO and 8.5 g kg(-1) in husk VO. An appreciable amount of tocopherols (0.52 g kg(-1) ) was found in seed VO.

CONCLUSION

The seed and husk oil of A. stipulatum and A. giganteum fruits are rich sources of many bioactive constituents such as fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols and tocotrienols. These tropical wild fruits can be considered as new Aroma Tincto Oleo Crops (ATOC) resources that contain both EOs and VOs.

Biochemical Characterization of Coriander Cakes Obtained by Extrusion

This study was designed to examine the effect of operating conditions such as nozzle diameter on fatty acid, sterol, and tocol composition of coriander cakes. Eight fatty acids were identified, with petroselinic acid accounting for 75–77% of the total fatty acids, followed by linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids, accounting for 12-13%, 5%, and 3%, respectively, of the total fatty acids.β-Sitosterol was the major sterol in all oils with 33–35% of total sterols. The next major sterols in all oils were stigmasterol (24% of total sterols) and Δ7-stigmasterol (15% of total sterols). Coriander cake contained higher amounts of total tocotrienol whereγ-tocotrienol was the main compound.

Effect of date seed oil on p53 expression in normal human skin

A critical step to escape from the carcinogenic potential of UV radiation is mediated by the protein p53. P53 activates growth arrest, allowing for DNA repair, which removes damaged cells. The concept of photoprotection involves blocking apoptosis and the prevention of oxidative damage to cellular DNA. Date seed oil (DSO) extract has been reported to be beneficial in the reduction of chemically induced oxidative stress in normal human skin. In this study, we investigated the DNA-protective qualities of DSO as measured by p53 expression in human skin biopsies, one day after exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. P53 expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The results showed an increase in p53 expression in the basal cell compartment of UVB-exposed skin as compared to the non-UVB-exposed skin. However, DSO has significant photoprotective effects by inhibition of damage caused by UVB irradiation: a significantly lower fraction of cells was p53 positive as compared to the non-DSO-treated skin. We conclude that p53 expression is a sensitive parameter for the detection of UVB-induced damage in the skin and suggest that DSO could provide an efficient complement to photoprotective measures and may contribute to reduce the DNA damage.

Effects of date seed oil on testicular antioxidant enzymes and epididymal sperm characteristics in male mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of date seed oil (DSO) on epididymal sperm characteristics and testicular antioxidant enzymes in male mice. DSO was diluted into isotonic saline solution (0.9%) and different doses (5, 10, 15 and 20%) were prepared. Fifty male mice were divided into five groups; in four groups DSO was given by intraperitoneal injection of oil solution for 28 days. The control group was injected by isotonic saline solution without DSO. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics (count, motility, viability and morphology) were assessed. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were investigated in testes. A significant increase in sperm count, motility and viability of all treated animal groups was observed when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Unlike, the percentage of abnormal sperm was significantly lower in all treated groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in MDA levels and marked increase in SOD and CAT activities in mice treated with high doses of DSO (15 and 20%) were also noted. We suggest that DSO can improve the epididymal sperm quality and could ameliorate the testicular strategy defences.

Sperm quality improvement after date seed oil in vitro supplementation in spontaneous and induced oxidative stress

In vitro supplementation with date seed oil (DSO) can protect spermatozoa against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated damage and can improve sperm function, possibly owing to antioxidant properties. We tested the antioxidant effects of DSO on human sperm motility, sperm viability, reacted acrosome and lipid peroxidation assessed in vitro after H2O2-mediated oxidative damage in spermatozoa. Sixteen patients (mean age: 35 years; range: 25-45 years) referred to the Histology-Embryology Laboratory of the Medicine Faculty of Sfax for semen analysis after 12-24 months of sexual intercourse without conception were selected. After spermiogram, sperm selection by two-interface discontinuous Sill Select gradient was performed, and selected spermatozoa were used in four experimental assays: control; incubation with 100 microm H2O2; incubation with 0.1% DSO; and co-incubation with 0.1% DSO and 100 microm H2O2. Motility and viability were determined using World Health Organization criteria. Acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation were assessed by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum and spectrophotometric measurement of malondialdehyde, respectively. Results showed that incubation with H2O2 alone led to a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (57.83%, P<0.05) associated with a significant decrease in sperm motility, sperm viability (after 30 min and 24 h) and percentage of reacted acrosome (P<0.05). Date seed oil improved sperm motility after 24 h of incubation (P<0.05) and protected spermatozoa against the deleterious effects of H2O2 on motility, viability, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation. We conclude that supplementation with DSO may have a function in antioxidant protection against male infertility.

Date seed oil limit oxidative injuries induced by hydrogen peroxide in human skin organ culture

The skin is chronically exposed to pro-oxidant agents, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To protect the skin against an over-load of oxidant species, we studied the chemoprotective effect of one new natural product: "date seed oil: DSO". This oil may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants such as phenols and tocopherols. Here, the antioxidative potential of DSO was compared that of to extra virgin olive oil. Adult human skin was maintained in organ culture in the presence of the DSO and extra virgin olive oil before the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in order to prevent the tissue from its oxidizing effects. Skin specimens were collected for histology and for melanin studies. In the investigated model system, DSO protects skin against oxidative injuries. It has a significant chemoprotective effect, by inhibition of damage caused by H_{2}O_{2} compared with specimens without such addition endowing with a radical scavenging ability. The various components from DSO were much more potent antioxidant and more free radical scavengers of the H2O2 than those of olive oil. Our study shows that topical DSO treatment of the skin stimulates events in the epidermis leading to repair skin damage possibly due to antioxidant synergisms.