Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds, often regarded as agricultural byproducts, have recently garnered scientific interest due to their rich profile of bioactive compounds. In this study, Libyan date seeds from three cultivars (Saidi, Hamarai, and Degla) were analyzed to evaluate their physicochemical properties, including moisture, protein, ash, and phytochemical constituents. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins, coumarins, fixed oil, and steroids across all cultivars, though alkaloids were notably absent. Proximate analysis demonstrated distinct compositional differences: Saidi seeds exhibited the highest protein (6.7%) and lowest moisture content (5.9%), whereas, Hamarai seeds recorded the lowest protein (5.5%) and highest moisture content (8.6%). Degla seeds displayed intermediate values (5.6% protein, and 7.4% moisture). All cultivars shared identical ash content. These findings underscore the potential of Libyan date palm seeds as sustainable sources of natural therapeutic agents and nutritional supplements.