The present study investigates the comparative antioxidant ability of the date fruits (DF’s) (Phoenix dactylifera) of three major date palm varieties such as Fardh, Khasab and Khalas grown in the Sultanate of Oman at two edible maturation stages, namely Rutab (fresh) and Tamr (dried). Antioxidant ability was assessed by using 2, 2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzo thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS.+), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Superoxide-radical scavenging (SRSA), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP assay), Total reducing power ability (TRPA) and Metal chelation assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the DF’s were also quantified. The total phenolic content (TPC) of all three varieties at Rutab and Tamr stages ranged from 81-178 and 194-234 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 gm of DM and total flavanoid content (TFC) ranged from 19-66 and 25-34 mg catechin equivalents (CEQ)/100 gm of DM respectively. The % inhibition in ABTS assay of all three varieties of DF’s at Rutab and Tamr stages ranges from 80- 92% and 84-92% respectively and the % inhibition of DF’s at Rutab and Tamr stages ranges from 63-65% and 70-73 % respectively observed from DPPH assay. Whereas in SRSA, % inhibition of DF’s at Rutab and Tamr stages ranges from 34-43% and 29-44% respectively. The % chelating effect of all three varieties of DF’s at Rutab and Tamr stages was 93% and 80-87% respectively. The observed antioxidant ability of DF’s may be due to abundant presence of phenolic contents and high electron donating ability to neutralize free radicals. Overall the fardh variety showed significant antioxidant ability and phenolic contents than other varieties at different stages

The present study investigates the comparative antioxidant ability of the date fruits (DF’s) (Phoenix dactylifera) of three major date palm varieties such as Fardh, Khasab and Khalas grown in the Sultanate of Oman at two edible maturation stages, namely Rutab (fresh) and Tamr (dried). Antioxidant ab...