Innovative valorization of date seed extract: extraction, optimization and characterization for sustainable sugar...

Area of Science:

• Agro-industrial valorization
• Food science and technology
• Natural product chemistry

Background:

• Date seeds are abundant agro-industrial by-products with underutilized potential for valuable compounds.
• Limited research exists on optimizing date seed extraction for natural sugars and bioactive compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable method for valorizing Kentichi date seeds into value-added extracts.
• To optimize extraction conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• To reduce agro-industrial waste and recover valuable compounds.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize extraction parameters.
• Determined optimal conditions: 200 g/L powder/solvent ratio, 30°C extraction temperature, and 6h extraction time.
• Analyzed extract yield, total sugars, proteins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS).

Main Results:

• Achieved an extraction yield close to the predicted value (77.87%) under optimized conditions.
• The extract (KDSPE) contained 18.6 g/L total sugars and 9.75 g/L proteins.
• KDSPE exhibited high phenolic content (9050 µg GAE/mL) and potent antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 10 µg/mL; ABTS IC50 = 6 µg/mL).

Conclusions:

• Optimized RSM approach provides a sustainable method for Kentichi date seed valorization.
• The resulting extract is rich in sugars, proteins, and antioxidants, with significant potential for food applications.
• Freeze-drying effectively preserves the bioactive properties of the date seed extract powder.