Morphological properties, biochemical and mineral composition of five dates varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) planted under different oasis microclimates

Date Palm Byproducts for Green Fuels and Bioenergy Production

The date palm fruit ( Phoenix dactylifera ) is one of the earliest crops to be cultivated in the Middle East. Many varieties of dates are available and being marketed at various price ranges. However, there is no standardized approach available to verify the quality of Saudi date palm fruits. The current study aimed to assess the variations in the quality of different varieties of Saudi dates on the basis of the metabolite composition, proximate analysis, physical characteristics and biological activities. Nine date palm varieties Berni, Halaoua, Shalabi, Sogaai, Sukkari, Nebtat Ali, Anbara, Ajwa and Medjoul were evaluated via the Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( 1 H NMR) based metabolomics approach. The DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging abilities, NO inhibition via the cell-based approach and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined. The physical features including dimension, seed/weight ratios and color variation also were evaluated. The proximate composition was carried out using the protocol ascribed by AOAC method. Metabolomics approach was successfully being applied in discriminating date palm varieties. Un-targeted metabolite profiling was achieved based on the acquired NMR data. Different trend of biological activities were displayed. The Ajwa dates which was the smallest, shortest in length and darkest colored Saudi date palm fruit demonstrated the highest percentage of NO inhibition/scavenging. Based on the variation in physical features, biological activities, metabolites content and proximate analysis, no noticeable correlation were observed between the market price and Saudi date palm variety qualities.

Nutraceutical and bioactive potential of high-quality date fruit varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a function of in-vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion

Fresh and sun-dried dates of three native varieties from Oman, namely, Fard, Khasab, and Khalas, were examined for their antioxidant activity and total contents of anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics, as well as free and bound phenolic acids. All results are expressed as mean value +/- standard deviation (n = 3) on a fresh weight basis. Fresh date varieties were found to be a good source of antioxidants (11687-20604 micromol of Trolox equiv/g), total contents of anthocyanins (0.24-1.52 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equiv/100 g), carotenoids (1.31-3.03 mg/100 g), phenolics (134-280 mg of ferulic acid equiv/100 g), free phenolic acids (2.61-12.27 mg/100 g), and bound phenolic acids (6.84-30.25 mg/100 g). A significant (p < 0.05) amount of antioxidants and carotenoids was lost after sun-drying of dates, whereas the total content of phenolics and free and bound phenolic acids increased significantly (p < 0.05). Anthocyanins were detected only in fresh dates. Date varieties had different levels and patterns of phenolic acids. Four free phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and ferulic acid) and nine bound phenolic acids (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and o-coumaric acid) were tentatively identified. Of the date varieties studied, Khalas, which is considered to be premium quality, had higher antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and bound phenolic acids than other varieties. These results suggest that all date varieties serve as a good source of natural antioxidants and could potentially be considered as a functional food or functional food ingredient, although some of their antioxidant constituents are lost during sun-drying.

The present study provides concrete information about the nutritive value of six different varieties of Palm dates including; Ajwa, Busra, Rabi, Mazafati, Irani and Shareefa. Proximate analysis was a prime method to calculate each type of nutrient present in all varieties. Evaluation of different antioxidants, and phytochemicals were performed to check the efficacy of different varieties of Palm Dates. It has been experimentally proven that Ajwa is not of prime importance than the rest of the varieties. A result clearly defines the efficacy of all varieties not only of Ajwa and it is scientifically proven the ingestion of other varieties. The total moisture content in date varieties were range from 7-15%. The total ash content in date varieties were range from 1-3%. The total Protein content in date varieties were range from 1-3%. The total fat in date varieties were range from 1-6%. The total fiber content in date varieties were range from 14-70%. Moreover, the total Carbohydrates in date varieties were range from 12-34%. Mazafati, Shareefa and Busra contain more fiber as compare to Ajwa that promotes good digestion. It also helpful for diabetic patients for not instant supply of sugars by delaying digestion due to high fiber content. Palm Dates promotes good health and provide with large number of nutrients, antioxidants, minerals and phytochemicals. Irani contain more phenolic (16.6 g/100 g) as compare to the rest the Palm dates. Total phenolic content ranges from 10-17 g as per 100 g of fruit. Busra shows more tannin (11.75%) and DPPH inhibition index (54.20%) so it is better for immune system to protect from cancer and maintain good body heath. Antioxidant activity in palm dates ranges from 1-55% while tannins content ranges from 0-12%.

With the aim of extending the knowledge on chemical composition of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.), eight different sun dried date varieties; (1) Daki, (2) Aseel, (3) Coconut, (4) Khuzravi, (5) Halavi, (6) Zahidi, (7) Deglet Noor and (8) Barkavi were examined to determine their proximate composition and mineral profile. All the date varieties were found to be rich in proteins, fiber, carbohydrates and net gross energy (352.329 Kcal/100 g in Aseel to 425.147 Kcal/100 g in Khuzravi) having suitable levels of lipids and low values of ash, moisture and oxalates. Na, K and Li were found as macrominerals where as Cr, Cu, Ca, Mg, Ni, Zn and Mn were found as microminerals. The results suggest that all the studied dates serve as good source of vital nutrients and can be considered as premium quality having significantly higher energy values than the earlier reported values for dates.

Honey has been made from some variety of date (Phoenix dactylifera L) Ghars, Tinicin and Tekermist (Tantbocht). The aim of this study is to determine different phytochemical compound and antioxidant properties of honey dates from Ouedrigh and Ouedsouf regions. The physical properties of these samples were very high significantly differences (p&lt;0.001) on moisture and pH value with dark color in all type of honey dates. In addition, There were a significant differences (p&lt;0.05) on total phenols, flavonoids and total sugars content among samples. Based on antioxidant properties, there were also significant difference (p&lt;0.05) between the different samples. In conclusion the different product of honey date given the different beneficial antioxidant properties of these varieties but the dates honey Tinicin has a high importance antioxidant effect and physicochemical properties compared to the auther variety of honey dates.

Date varieties grown in the United Arab Emirates have not been characterized previously as per quality descriptive parameters, which are important for the commercial viability and processing. In this study, 29 analytical and descriptive parameters including morphological date variables (fruit and seed weight, length, volume, diameter, and density), chemical (reducing sugars, organic acids) and textural properties (hardness, adhesive force, resilience, fracturability, and springiness), and color (lightness, redness, yellowness) were investigated for their efficacy in classifying 20 Emirati date varieties at the mature Tamr stage. Chemometric multivariate analysis of the 29 physical–chemical traits of date varieties allowed selection of three traits that were decisive for clustering of samples with similar characteristics. Date fruit color, size, and concentration of malic acid appeared to be the most important parameters for distinguishing date fruits into three homogeneous groups: (i) class 1 (darker color and higher malic acid content), (ii) class 2 (moderate malic acid content and light color), and (iii) class 3 (larger fruits and low malic acid content). The results of this study will guide further studies aiming to explore the relationships between the chemical and physical quality parameters of date fruit, including organic acids and pigments, and fruit color that are identified as the most important fruit classification parameters.

The commercial disadvantage of skin separation in Date (Phoenix dactylifera) fruits is a worldwide concern. Barhee and Majhul are two varieties which produce skin separation. There are many Date varieties that do not produce skin separation. To investigate the phenomena of skin separation, two date varieties were compared: Dayri, which&nbsp; has no skin separation, and Barhee,which has significant skin separation. The study focuses on the mechanical qualities of the fruit's skin as well as its anatomical trait. The skin of Barhee fruits was discovered to be less flexible and more rigid, resisting artificial stretching force and tending to form folders while disconnecting from inner soft tissue, whereas the skin of Dairy fruits has the opposite features. The sequential linearity of the epidermal cells in Barhee and circular order in Dairy is one of the causes for this feature. The end finding of substantial skin separation in Barhee and zero in Dayri is supported by more differences in skin attributes. The agro-mechanical procedures of irrigation, nutritional regime and fruit management while on tree are of secondary importance in the case presented here.

Production of highly soluble date sugar powder from the nutritive date fruits will be a suitable and superior alternative to commercial refined sugar, providing sustainability in date palm cultivation. A good understanding of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of date fruits is imperative for this purpose. In this work, 11 different date fruit species commonly cultivated in the United Arab Emirates were studied for their chemical composition, physical properties, amino acids, minerals, and anti-nutritional contents. The results revealed that the date fruits contain moisture, protein, lipid, and ash content in the ranges of 14.8%–20.5%, 2.19%–3.12%, 0.25%–0.51%, and 1.37%–1.97%, respectively. Potassium was identified as the major microelement in all the date varieties. Amino acid assay depicted that the date fruits mainly contained glutamine and aspartic acids, along with other essential acids. Monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) were more prevalent in the date fruits than polysaccharides (sucrose), exhibiting the potential of date fruit for non-diabetic sugar production. Phytoconstituents present in date samples, such as flavonoids, oxalates, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and cyanides, were also evaluated and reported. Results showed that although all date fruit varieties were nutritious, they contain significant variation in their nutritional, physical, elemental, and phytochemical properties.

We studied 66 `Medjool' date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) accessions from Morocco, six varieties of dates from Egypt, and four `Medjool' accessions and one `Deglet Noor' accession from California to investigate the hypothesis that `Medjool' is a landrace variety in Morocco. We used four sets of fluorescent-labeled amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to examine these accessions. A total of 402 bands were generated, of which 217 were polymorphic (54.0%). The 66 `Medjool' accessions from Morocco shared a minimum of 79% genetic similarity. These results support the hypothesis that `Medjool' is a landrace variety in Morocco and it is not genetically uniform. `Medjool' is the first confirmed landrace variety of date palm in the world. This finding raises the possibility that other date palms may be landrace varieties in different growing areas. Confirmation of a landrace variety in date palm has significant implication for future date palm germplasm collection and preservation. The mechanism(s) generating the genetic variation within `Medjool' accessions remains unknown. One possibility is that spontaneous genetic changes could occur frequently within vegetative tissues like offshoots under high temperature and drought stress.

The moisture results, bioactive compounds, phenolic and mineral amounts of date fruits showed significant changes depending on package types, storage temperatures and fruit types. The moisture content of date fruits stored at -18 °C was higher than that of date fruits stored at other temperatures (5 and 25 °C). The highest moisture loss in date fruits was observed in fruits stored at 25 °C. The storage temperature with the highest total phenol amounts of the Khalas, Ruzeiz and Sukkari date cultivars was at 25 °C, followed by 5 °C and − 18 °C in decreasing order. The storage temperature and packaging types with the highest total flavonoid content of the “Ruzeiz” date variety were “open cardboard” and “sealed in plastic bag and stored in closed cardboard” at 25 °C. In general, the highest phenolic compounds were detected in “Khalas” date variety, followed by “Ruzeiz” and “Sukkari” varieties in decreasing order. While the most abundant macro element in date varieties was K, followed by P, Mg and Ca, the most abundant micro elements were Fe, and followed by Mn, Zn, B and Cu in decreasing order. The P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and B results of the “Khalas” date variety stored at 25 °C were higher than those of the “Khalas” date fruits stored at other temperatures.

Background: Date palm is considered as one of the essential fruits across various Arab countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The physical and chemical composition of the date fruits in different cultivars has been reported in many countries. The study aimed to assess the correlation between amylase activity & reducing sugar content in date fruits. It also aims to analyze the increase in amylase activity with the proportional increase in the reducing-sugar content. Methods: Qualitative analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between amylase activity & reducing sugar content in date fruits. Biochemical changes associated with the ripening of four different varieties of date fruits: sukkari, hilwa, sullaj, and khalas were examined. Results: The analysis showed that ripening of date fruits increased sugar content and enzyme activities. Correlation between amylase activity & reducing sugar content in date fruits was initially observed in Khalas and then in other varieties of date fruit. The ripening of all fruits was consistent in all date fruits varieties examined through the analysis exhibited considerable variations. The induction of amylase activity showed chronological and quantitative variations among date varieties. Conclusion: It suggests that biochemical attributes of the date palm must be considered for its expanded cultivation.

Saudi Arabia is one of the major producers of date (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit. Date fruit flesh is considered a healthy food due to the presence of natural antioxidants. Green and innovative supercritical fluid (SFE, 52.5 °C temperature, 27.50 MPa pressure, 5 mL CO2/min flow rate) and subcritical (SubCO2, 250 extraction cycles, 29 °C temperature, 6.8 MPa, 12 h, ethanol solvent) extraction techniques were used to produce flesh extracts from four Saudi date fruits (Sukari (SKFE), Ambara (AMFE), Majdool (MJFE) and Sagai (SGFE)), and extracts prepared using 6 h Soxhlet extraction at 70 °C for 16 h using n-hexane as solvent, were taken as control. SFE produced the highest (p &lt; 0.05) extract yields, whereas the SubCO2 method recovered significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) amounts of phytochemicals. Total phenolics (186.37–447.31 mg GAE/100 g), total flavonoids (82.12–215.28 mg QE/100 g), total anthocyanins (0.41–1.34 mg/100 g), and total carotenoid (1.24–2.85 mg BCE/100 g) were quantified in all the flesh extracts. The biological properties evaluation showed that flesh extracts had high antioxidant (17.79–45.08 µg AAE/mL), antiradical (191.36–34.66 µg/mL DPPH IC50), ferric-reducing (2.18–5.01 mmol TE/100 g) and ABTS-scavenging (444.75–883.96 µmol TE/100 g) activities. SubCO2 was the best technique and Majdool the best date variety, in terms of both phytochemicals and biological properties.

Phoenix dactylifera L. has traditionally been used as a medicine in many cultures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional properties, aromatic compounds, total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of ten ripe date fruit varieties grown in Tunisia. Sugar profiles were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, while fatty acid compounds were detected by gas chromatography and aromatic compounds were analyzed by GC-Electron Impact Mass Spectroscopy. Total phenolic contents were measured using colorimetric methods, whereas antioxidant capacities were evaluated in vitro using DPPH and ABTS radicals. It has been found that total sugars are the predominant component in all date varieties, followed by moisture, along with moderate amounts of proteins, ash, and fats. Multivariate tests based on the volatile compounds profile showed significant differences among varieties. Between the sixty-two volatile compounds detected, alcohols, aldehydes and unsaturated hydrocarbons constituted the main chemical classes. The date varieties exhibited strong antioxidant potential that correlated with phenolic content. In conclusion date varieties can play a major role in human nutrition and health because of their wide range of valuable nutritional components and natural antioxidants that could potentially be considered as a functional food ingredient.