Nutritional profile, LC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic activities of hydromethanolic extracts of three Ficus carica varieties from Moroccan Pre-Rif-Taza

This research work explores the nutritional composition of three varieties of Ficus carica dried fruits. For such a task, the phenolic profile of their hydromethanolic extracts was evaluated along with their in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The proximate analysis showed that the three dried fruits are a valuable source of vegetal oil (2.46–2.52 g/100 g), proteins (2.64–3.33 g/100 g), carbohydrates (84.21–86.07 g/100 g), and energy (372.04–377.00 kcal/100 g). Fatty acids composition revealed that dried fruits studied are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids with a percentage of 37.89 ± 0.51 %, followed by saturated fatty acids (31.30 ± 0.61 %), and monounsaturated fatty acids (31.4 ± 1.22 %). Furthermore, mineral analysis indicated the presence of potassium (7922.54–10672.19 mg/kg), sulfur (4668–5788.72 mg/kg), calcium (3368.88–3939.64 mg/kg), magnesium (1015.48–1169.11 mg/kg), and phosphorus (838.20–868.65 mg/kg). LC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis revealed the presence of seven phenolic compounds with rutin as the most abundant compound (0.130–0.162 mg/g). Experimental antioxidant tests showed that hydromethanolic extracts have significant antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ values between 219 ± 2.7–307 ± 0.48 μg/mL for FRAP, 537 ± 1.88–821 ± 1.46 μg/mL for β-carotene bleaching, 724 ± 0.1–977 ± 2.36 μg/mL for ABTS, and 847 ± 0.04–1214 ± 0.23 μg/mL for DPPH tests. Likewise, the inhibition of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory enzymes was significantly exerted by their hydromethanolic extracts. Based on the results achieved, Ficus carica fruits may be considered as a valuable source of nutrients making them an interesting functional food.