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Metabolites profiling of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) commercial by-products (pits and pollen) in relation to its antioxidant effect: a multiplex approach of MS and NMR metabolomics

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Abstract

Introduction

Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm) is one of the most valued crops worldwide for its economical and nutraceutical applications of its date fruit (pericarp). Currently date pits, considered as a waste product, is employed as coffee substitute post roasting. Whereas, pollen represents another valuable by-product used as a dietary supplement.

Objectives

In this study, a large-scale comparative metabolomics approach was performed for the first characterization and standardization of date palm by-products viz., date pits and pollen. Moreover, roasting impact on date pit metabolite composition was also assessed.

Methods

Metabolites profiling of pits and pollen was determined via a multiplex approach of UPLC–MS and NMR, coupled to multivariate analysis, in relation to its antioxidant activities.

Results

Chemical analyses led to the identification of 67 metabolites viz., phenolic acids, flavonols, fatty acids, sphingolipids, steroids and saponins of which 10 are first time to be reported. The enrichment of steroids in date pollen accounts for its fertility promoting properties, whereas date pit was found a rich source for antioxidant polyphenols using metabolomics.

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Abbreviations

C:

Coffee product

DPP:

Date palm pollen

DPPH:

2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reagent

IC:

Inhibition concentration

NMR:

Nuclear magnetic resonance

OPLS-DA:

Partial least squares-discriminant analysis

P. :

Phoenix

PCA:

Principal component analysis

RW:

Raw date pits

RS:

Roasted date pits

UPLC:

Ultra performance liquid chromatography

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Mohamed A. Farag is grateful to Dr. Andrea Porzel for assistance with NMR analysis, Leibniz Institute for Plant Biochemistry, Halle, Germany. He also acknowledges the funding received from Jesour grant number 30, ASRT, Egypt and the Alexander von Humboldt foundation, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt

    Asmaa M. Otify, Aly M. El-Sayed, Camilia G. Michel & Mohamed A. Farag

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt

    Mohamed A. Farag

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  1. Asmaa M. Otify
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  2. Aly M. El-Sayed
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  3. Camilia G. Michel
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  4. Mohamed A. Farag
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Contributions

AMO and MAF conducted the experiments; AMO performed the data analysis, AMF revised assignments, AMS and CGM designed the study and edited the manuscript. AMO and MAF wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mohamed A. Farag.

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Otify, A.M., El-Sayed, A.M., Michel, C.G. et al. Metabolites profiling of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) commercial by-products (pits and pollen) in relation to its antioxidant effect: a multiplex approach of MS and NMR metabolomics. Metabolomics 15, 119 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-019-1581-7

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