INFLUENCE OF SOLVENT SYSTEMS ON THE DPPH RADICAL SCAVENGING POTENTIAL AND PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF INDIGENOUS PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L. CULTIVARS

Abstract

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a vital agricultural asset in Pakistan, particularly in the Khairpur District, which is recognized as a global hub for date cultivation. The purpose of this research was to assess the various physical attributes, as well as the antioxidant potentials of five varieties of native dates; Kashkari, Hussani, Allie, Mazawati and Otakin at their peak ripening stage (Tamar) found in the Taluka of Kingri/which include; (length, width, mass, moisture content) for each sample which were taken and then the morphometric measurements determined considerable amount of morphometric variation. The Allie type had the largest length (17cm), while the Kashkari was found to be the heaviest (70.1g) and have the highest moisture content (40.3%). Antioxidant capabilities were determined using the DPPH-radical scavenging assay with five different solvents (pure methanol, pure ethanol, distilled water, hydro-methanol & hydro-ethanol). The antioxidant activity showed a dose related scavenging action for all of the varieties. Pure methanol and pure ethanol were generally found to be the best solvents, however in the case of the Hussani date palm, the hydro-methanol solution provided the maximum antioxidant activity (i.e. the lowest IC₅₀: 21.206 µg/ml). These results demonstrate the genetic diversity of the date palms in the Kingri area, as well as the importance of selecting the ideal solvent to obtain the maximum recovery of bioactive antioxidant compounds for use in food products and/or pharmaceuticals.