Assessment of Chemical Composition and Oxidative Stability in Cold-pressed Date Kernel Oil from <i>Phoenix dactylifera</i> L.: Implications for Food Quality and Sustainability

Abstract

This study presented a comprehensive analysis of date kernel oil from Phoenix dactylifera L., exploring its chemical composition, physical properties, and oxidative stability. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis revealed that the extracted oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (55%), with oleic acid being the major component (accounting 43.31%). Saturated fatty acids accounted for 45% of the total fatty acid composition. The identified bioactive compounds included carotenoids, β-sitosterol, cycloartenol, α-tocotrienol, and β-tocotrienol. Notably, the oil exhibited a high content of total tocols (60.77±0.26 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (235±0.00 mg/kg). The oxidative stability of date kernel oil was evaluated using Rancimat and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests, demonstrating its strong resistance to oxidation. The oil exhibited an oil stability index of 34.87 h at 110°C based on the Rancimat test. The kinetic parameters related to the oil oxidative stability were also established. The findings of this research indicated that date kernel oil could be a promising and versatile bioresource for multiple applications, offering a sustainable method for managing waste from date fruit processing. This study highlights the importance of developing alternative uses for agricultural by-products, underlining the economic and environmental benefits of their valorization.