Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate Egyptian date palm pollen (DPP) grains composition, physical and functional potentials in comparing with two forms; 80% ethanol extract, and nanoencapsulated form. Functional yoghurt fortified with DPP in three forms was prepared and their physicochemical, microstructure, texture and sensory characteristics were assessed. The micro morphology was explored via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed for functional groups detection. Phenolic compounds were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) while fatty acids were identified via Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). Cytotoxicity of DPP nanocapsules was evaluated against RPE1 cell line (BJ1). The Egyptian date palm pollen grains evaluation revealed its rich content of protein and carbohydrate (36.28 and 17.14 g/ 100g), high content of Fe, Zn and Mg (226.5, 124.4 and 318 mg/100g), unsaturated fatty acids ω-3, ω-6 and ω-9 (8.76, 20.26 and 7.11 g/100g, which was increased by ethanol extraction) and phenolic compounds especially catechin (191.73 μg/mL) which was pronounced in DPP antioxidant potentials (IC50 35.54 mg/g). The FTIR analyses indicated the presence of soluble amides (proteins) and polysaccharides (fibers) functional groups in DPP. Fortification with nanoencapsulated DPP proved to be safe and the recommended form due to the announced positive characteristics. Yoghurt fortification with DPP forms enhanced viscosity, syneresis and Water Holding Capacity (WHC), which can be considered a symbiotic functional product as it contained both probiotics (106 CFU/g) and prebiotics represented in DPP forms.
Highlights
Yoghurt is one of the most popular dairy products worldwide, which has gained a positive perception as a healthy and natural product, based on health attributes associated with the probiotic effects of yoghurt starter cultures [1]
Nutrient results were in agreement with Hassan [41]
Table (1), shows that Date palm pollen (DPP) constitute a rich source of mineral elements
Summary
Yoghurt is one of the most popular dairy products worldwide, which has gained a positive perception as a healthy and natural product, based on health attributes associated with the probiotic effects of yoghurt starter cultures [1]. Date palm pollen (DPP) (Phoenix dactylifera L.), are the male reproductive cells of palm flowers and commonly used in the Middle East, especially in Egypt. It is considered as an effective natural and functional dietary food supplement due to its remarkable content of bioactive volatile unsaturated fatty acid and flavonoid compounds that play a crucial role as strong antioxidant, anti-breast-cancer, in addition to their nutritional-physiological implications as health-promoting factors that used worldwide as dietary supplements [4,5]. Direct incorporation of bioactive compounds into food products is challenging because of their unstable, and low bioavailability, oxidable and sensitive to heat and light, which limits their application in the food industry. It was important to preserve their stability, bioactivity and bioavailability [7,8]
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