Effect of processing conditions on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of date syrup

Commercial hydrolytic enzymes (pectinase and cellulase) were investigated for their influence on phenolics and antioxidant activities of date syrup. Content of total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Polyphenols composition was examined using HPLC. Seven phenolic compounds (catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and sinapic acid) were detected in all date syrup extracts. p-Coumaric acid was the major compound of all date syrup extracts, representing 49.223-63.397%. The antioxidant activity of date syrup was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including total antioxidant, DPPH scavenging test, FRAP, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and metal chelating activity.Results showed that the date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the lowest phenolic and flavonoid contents. For same variety, date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the highest carotenoids amounts. The antioxidant activity, determined by several methods, was significantly affected by the extraction method as well as date varieties. In fact, the date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the lowest antioxidant activity. A good correlation between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and flavonoid was observed. The discovery of our research is very important to scientists as well as to the fruit-processing industry to produce juice and syrup with high antioxidant activity. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.