Quantitative and Correlation of the Bioactive Phytochemicals in Fruits of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) Accessions in Nigeria.

Abstract

Fruits are known to have different levels of antioxidant properties due to the presence of multiple types of chemical compounds in varying amounts. The phytochemical properties of twenty-one date fruits accessions from the experimental field of Nigeian Institute for Oilpalm Research (NIFOR) Date palm research substation, dutse, jigawa state, were employed and also quantified in order to substantiate the antioxidant and medicinal claims. The phytochemical analysis of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).the result revealed the total phenolic and tannin content to be highest in accession R5P8 (73.92mg/100g) and R7P1 (5.540mg/100g) there were no significant differences between accession R1P10 and R4P29 with the same value (12.10mg/100g). The lowest saponin content was recorded in accession R1P18 (203mg/100g) and the lowest alkaloid content was recorded in accession R5P20 (0.234mg/100g).Among the phytochemicalsin all the accessions, a very strong correlation was observed between tannin and saponin content while a very weak correlation was observed between flavonoids and Alkaloids.There is an overview of pharmacological properties of date palm. Date fruit has potent constituents that have therapeutic implication in prevention of diseases through anti-oxidant, anti inflammatory,anti-tumor and ant diabetic effect. The accessions studied with considerable amount of phytochemicals could serve as a tool for future breeding programmes