Title:Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of <i>Trichoderma reesei</i> Degraded Date <i>(Phoenix dactylifera L.)</i> Pits
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Salem R. Alyileili, Ahmed S. Hussein, Wissam Ibrahim* and Khaled A. El-Tarabily*
Affiliation:College of Food and Agriculture, Department of Integrative Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P. O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, College of Food and Agriculture, Department of Integrative Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, P. O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, College of Food and Agriculture, Department of Food, Nutrition and Health, United Arab Emirates University, P. O. Box 15551, Al-Ain, College of Science, Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, P. O. Box 15551, Al-Ain
Keywords:Proximate composition, fungi-degraded date pits, monosaccharides, Trichoderma reesei, antioxidant activity.
Abstract:
Background: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a dominant fruit crop in most of the Arabian
countries. Date pits, as a major byproduct which remained after consumption of date flesh proved
to be valuable source of energy.
Methods: Solid State Degradation (SSD) system was used for the preparation of degraded date pits.
Date pits degraded with Trichoderma reesei were evaluated for their proximate, chemical composition
and antioxidant activity.
Results: The crude fiber content of degraded date pits was found to be 20.8 %, ash (2.09%), crude fat
(7.2%), protein (5.56%), and total carbohydrate (87.2%). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent
fiber (ADF) was found to be 74.6% and 45.7%, respectively. Monosaccharide composition of fiber
showed that the degradation with T. reesei significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the glucose and mannose
content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Pectin, total carbohydrate and mannan oligosaccharide
content were also increased in degraded date pits in which galactose and mannose were the major neutral
sugars. Among the studied minerals, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and phosphorus were
predominant. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of degraded date pits significantly (P<0.05) increased
to 14.230 g Gallic equivalent/100g DW and 11.68 g Rutin equivalent /100g DW. Degraded date pits
also showed significant antioxidant activity as evidenced by the results of 2,2-diphenyl-1-
picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6 sulphonicacid) (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing
Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays.
Conclusion: Biological degradation with T. reesei significantly (P<0.05) improved the nutritional effect
of date pits and thereby its potential usage in food industry was greatly improved.
