Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, phenolic composition, and antimicrobial effects of date palm blossom extract

Subject Areas : Microbiology

Salma Moshaver ¹ , Masoud Honarvar ^{2 *} , Weria Vaysani ³

1 - Department of Agriculture Science and Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 -
3 - IAU Science and Research Branch

Received: 2025-04-30 Accepted : 2025-09-11 Published : 2025-09-20

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial, Phenolic composition, Palm blossom extract,

Abstract :

Introduction: Although date palm blossoms possess valuable bioactive compounds, they have not been widely utilized in the food industry and are primarily used informally in traditional medicine. Recent studies have revealed their potential health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic composition of date palm blossoms.Materials and Methods: Prior to extraction, the mineral content was determined using spectrophotometry, and amino acid profiles were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nine extracts were prepared using a probe ultrasonic-assisted extraction method with 70% ethanol under varying power and time conditions. Antioxidant activity was assessed via the ABTS radical cation assay, total phenolic content was measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, flavonoid content was determined, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. Results: The highest extraction yield was achieved at 400 W and 120 minutes, whereas the optimal extract in terms of antioxidant activity, phenolic, and flavonoid content was obtained at 240 W and 70 minutes. Potassium was the predominant mineral, while manganese was the least abundant. Among the amino acids, glutamic acid was the most abundant and valine the least.
Conclusion: Date palm blossoms are a rich source of minerals, amino acids, phenolic and flavonoid compounds and can serve as a promising natural ingredient with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties for potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.Keywords: Bloom of dates, Ultrasound, Physicochemical, Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant properties, antimicrobial properties

 

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