Screening of Chemical Profile by Lc-Esi-Ms/Ms and Assessment of Biological Properties of Phoenix dactylifera From...

The phytochemical profile of several Phoenix dactylifera extracts and evaluation of their antibacterial and anticholinesterase activities were investigated. The extracts were mainly composed of quinic acid, identified as a major constituent in the Ghars variety from Ghardaïa extract (GG), and ferulic acid predominating in the ethanolic extract of Deglat nour seeds (DNS). In addition, major flavonoid glycosides such as rutin, isoquercetin, and hesperidin were detected, with the highest levels observed in DNS. DNS and GG were the most antibacterial extracts, while the other fractions were moderate to weak. The strongest effects matched higher phenolic and flavonoid levels (catechin, quinic acid, isoquercetin), suggesting these compounds drive the activity. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed a selective anticholinesterase potential, with the DNS extract exhibiting dual inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC₅₀: 3.17 ± 0.11 µg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC₅₀: 52.55 ± 0.72 µg/mL). Notably, the AChE inhibitory activity of DNS was stronger than that of the reference standard galantamine (IC₅₀: 5.01 ± 0.11 µg/mL), while its BChE inhibition was comparable to the standard (IC₅₀: 53.90 ± 0.56 µg/mL). In addition, the Deglat nour spikelet (DNB) extract demonstrated selective BChE inhibition (IC₅₀: 43.28 ± 0.83 µg/mL), showing greater potency than galantamine. These findings support the potential use of P. dactylifera as a valuable source of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical compounds.