Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition1992-14702077-2033Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ajcn.2010.208.214in vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties of Various Dates Extracts (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from Libya]]>HasanNawal S. AmomZulkhairi H. NorA.I. MokhtarrudinNorhafizah Mohd EsaNorhaizan AzlanAzrina 4201024The aim of this study was to examine the nutritional content and antioxidant potential of three date fruit varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) native to Libya, namely, Bekraray, Deglet-nour and Khathori. The fruits were collected from three districts of Libya covering the northern, southern and eastern areas, respectively. The fruits were pitted and the flesh was extracted at 60°C for 6 h. The antioxidant activity of the extract was measured using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and iron (3) reduction (FRAP) assay. The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of the date was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The results showed that the nutritional content of dates varied by source. The flesh of Bekraray dates contained high percentage of carbohydrates (76.97%), vitamin C (8.50 mg 100 g) and potassium (6043.2 mg kg-1) whereas, Deglet-nour variety demonstrated the high percentage of total sugar (73.25%), vitamin A (10.50 μ/100 g) and vitamin E (12.98 mg kg-1). On the other hand, Khathori variety showed high percentage of vitamin B2, magnesium, calcium, sodium and ferum with concentrations of 824.98, 660.74, 614.21, 485.86 and 20.29 mg kg-1, respectively. The Bekraray dates exhibited a significantly high concentration of TPC (p<0.05) from those of the two other varieties. The antioxidant activity correlated positively with the TPC of the extracts. The Bekraray also showed high FRAP value and free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) among the studied date varieties and the values corresponded to 13.46±0.11 μmol (Fe)/g and 78.9%, respectively. These results suggest that Libyan dates varieties have a high nutritional value and possess beneficial antioxidant properties. Bekraray date was found to be superior than Deglet-nour and Khathori variety.]]>Al-Farsi, M., C. Alasalvar, A. Morris, M. Baron and F. Shahid,2005Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman.]]>5375927599Al-Farsi, M., C. Alasalvar, M. Al-Abid, K. Al-Shoaily, M. Al-Amry and F. Al-Rawahy,2007104943947AOAC.,199516th Edn.,Ahmed, M.B., N.A. Hasona and A.H. Selemain,2008Phoenix dactylifera L.) and ascorbic acid on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.]]>7193201Benzie, I.F.F. and J.J. Strain,19962397076Biglari, F., A.F.M. AlKarkhi and A.M. Easa,2008Phoenix dactylifera) fruits from Iran.]]>10716361641Chaira, N., A. Ferchichi, A. Mrabet and M. Sghairoun,20071022022207Chao, L., S. Guanqun and L. Jin-Ming,200625985995Eastwood, M.A. and R. Passmore,19832202206Feinman, S.E.,19881988pp: 197-204pp: 197-204Fridovich, I.,1978201875880Glore, S.R., D. van Treeck, A.W. Knehans and M. Guild,199494425436Javanmardi, J., C. Stushnoff, E. Locke and J.M. Vivanco,2003Ocimum accessions.]]>83547550Wang, J., X. Yuan, Z. Jin, Y. Tian and H. Song,2007104242250Khairunnuur, F.A., A. Zulkhairi, A. Azrina, M.A.M. Moklas, S. Khairullizam, M.S. Zamree and M.A. Shahidan,2009in vitro antioxidant activity and Artemia salina L. lethality of pulp and seed of Tamarindus indica L. extracts.]]>156575Kinsella, J.E., E. Frankel, B. German and J. Kanner,1993478589Kris-Etherton, P.M., D. Krummel, M.E. Russell, D. Dreon, S. Mackey, J. Borchers and P.D. Wood,19888813731400Lima, V.R., M.P. Morfim, A.A. Teixeira and T.B. Creczynski-Pasa,2004132197208Maharaj, H., D. Maharaj and S. Daya,200621189199Mansouri, A., G. Embarek, E. Kokkalou and P. Kefalas,2005Phoenix dactylifera).]]>89411420Paja, L.,20102010Proteggente, A.R., A.S. Pannala, G. Paganga, L. van Buren and E. Wagner et al.,200236217233Puntel, R.L., D.H. Roos, D. Grotto, S.C. Garcia, C.W. Nogueira and J.B.T. Rocha,2007in vitro: A comparative study using the colorimetric method and HPLC analysis to determine malondialdehyde in rat brain homogenates.]]>815162Saura-Calixto, F. and I. Goni,200694442447Trowell, H.C. and D.P. Burkitt,1981Pages: 474Pages: 474Truswell, A.S.,199549105109Vayalil, P.K.,2002Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae).]]>50610617Velioglu, Y.S., G. Mazza, L. Gao and B.D. Oomah,19984641134117Williams, G.M. and A.M. Jeffrey,200032283292Yen, G.C. and C.L. Hsieh,1998Eucommia ulmoides) toward various lipid peroxidation models in vitro.]]>4639523957