# Untargeted metabolomic analysis of date seed oil (Phoenix dactylifera L.) using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS - evaluation of the geographical origin effect

## TL;DR

This study identifies chemical markers in date seed oil that vary by geographic origin, helping to trace its authenticity and quality.

## Contribution

The first comprehensive metabolomic profile of date seed oil and identification of region-specific chemical markers.

## Key findings

- 25 metabolites were identified as potential markers for geographic origin differentiation.
- Hydroxy fatty acids were the most represented chemical class in date seed oil samples.
- Chemometric analysis revealed regional differences and key features forming clusters.

## Abstract

The chemical composition of edible oils is influenced by geographical origin, making traceability essential for ensuring authenticity and quality, particularly for unconventional (edible) oils like date seed oil (DSO). For economic, food safety, and research purposes, this study aimed to characterize the metabolomic profile of DSO and assess the impact of Moroccan origin to identify key chemical markers linked to regional differences. An untargeted metabolomic approach using UHPLC-QTOF-MS was applied to DSO samples from three Moroccan palm groves: Allougoum, Alnif, and Errachidia. PCA revealed modest clustering for Allougoum samples, while OPLS-DA enabled selection of 50 features contributing to differentiation. Among these, 25 metabolites were tentatively identified as geographical markers with three, n-(3-oxohexanoyl) homoserine lactone, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, and vanillin, confirmed using authentic standards. Hydroxy fatty acids were the most represented class, with four compounds tentatively annotated. This study provides the first comprehensive metabolomic profile of DSO and highlights potential markers for origin differentiation.

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•Metabolomic profile of date seed oil (DSO) varies by region.•Chemometrics showed differences and highlighted key features forming clusters.•25 features could be annotated with hydroxy fatty acids as dominant chemical class.•Findings support region-specific labels for DSO.

Metabolomic profile of date seed oil (DSO) varies by region.

Chemometrics showed differences and highlighted key features forming clusters.

25 features could be annotated with hydroxy fatty acids as dominant chemical class.

Findings support region-specific labels for DSO.