Pollen morphological and phytochemical comparative study of nine Saudi Arabian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars has been carried out. Pollen grains are generally small in size, monad, hetero-polar, asymmetric, elliptic in equatorial view, mono-sulcate. Exine sculpturing is micro-reticulate. Little differences have shown in the pollen dimensions, muri thickness and lumen size. The phytochemical screening of date palm pollen grains revealed the presence of high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids and displayed good antioxidant capacity. Additionally, High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed noticeable valuations in the distribution of different phenolic compounds among the nine pollen samples compared with 14 reference standards. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were commonly detected in all methanolic pollen extracts. Moreover, 2, 5- dihydroxy benzoic acid and cinnamic acid are not detected in any of pollen samples. Pollen grains phytochemical screening beside their morphology may have a prospect value in the characterization of the studied Saudi Arabian male date palm cultivars. These results revealed that date palm pollen has antioxidant properties that could play a major role in human health and could provide dietary alternatives. | Comparative study of pollen grains morphology and phytochemical constituents of some saudi arabian date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars
