Comparative Study of Extracts from Phoenix dactylifera using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy: Unveiling Phytochemical Diversity

A comparative study of extracts from Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) fruits was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to unveil the phytochemical diversity. The fruits were extracted using ethanol, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water, and the resulting extracts were analyzed for their functional groups. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups, including O-H, C-H, C≡C, C-O, and N-H, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and other bioactive molecules. The ethanolic extract (EFPD) showed strong O-H stretching vibrations (3265.1 cm⁻¹), while the ethyl acetate extract (EAPD) exhibited C=O stretching vibrations (1707.1 cm⁻¹). The butanol extract (BFPD) displayed C≡C stretching vibrations (2109.7 cm⁻¹), and the aqueous extract (AFPD) showed O-H stretching vibrations (3332.2 cm⁻¹). The results suggest that P. dactylifera extracts possess a rich phytochemical profile, warranting further exploration for potential applications.