Abstract
Two varieties of palm date seeds (PDS), Sukkari and Khalas, were examined for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Total phenol content was 2 014.37 +/- 212.05 and 2 060.40 +/- 176.0 mg GAE 100 g(-1) dry weight (DW); and total flavonoid content was 83.98 +/- 1.10 and 94.97 +/- 1.36 mg QE 100 g(-1) DW for Sukkari and Khalas, respectively. PDS extracts showed potential scavenging activity against ABTS, DDPH, and hydroxyl radical; the calculated IC(50)s were 431.17 +/- 12.45, 400 +/- 10.87 and 680 +/- 18.12 mu g for Sukkari, and 476 +/- 20.25, 302.24 +/- 14.08 and 284.18 +/- 11.62 mu g for Khalas, respectively. PDS extracts did not show potential activity against superoxide anion. Both extracts showed a high percentage of reducing power as the calculated FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) concentrations were 12.66 +/- 1.08 and 16.14 +/- 1.94 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent 100 g(-1) for Sukkari and Khalas, respectively. Bacillus subtilis showed a remarkable sensitivity to PDS extracts; the inhibition zones were 21 +/- 0.82 and 22 +/- 0.67 mm for Sukkari and Khalas, respectively. PDS extracts possess good antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and therefore PDS could be effectively used as a natural source of antioxidants and to be detected against gram-positive bacteria.