Date Varieties Research Articles

Valorization of Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a Potential Functional Food and Ingredient: Characterization of Fiber, Oligosaccharides, and Antioxidant Polyphenols.

The fruit of the date tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is increasingly recognized for its nutritional and functional value. This exotic fruit shows variable composition, influenced by factors such as variety, ripening stage, and climatic conditions. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional profile and the bioactive components, including phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides, in different varieties of dates from Saudi Arabia collected at the Tamr ripening stage. The HPLC-ESI-MS analysis identified a total of 15 phenolic compounds, principally phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among the varieties tested, Safawi exhibited the highest phenolic concentration (1132 µg/100 g dw). To the best of our knowledge, the oligosaccharide composition is described for the first time among different varieties, with Sukari showing the highest concentration (3.37 g/100 g dw). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays) was assessed following a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up to remove interferents, especially sugars. These results provide valuable insights into the health-promoting properties of date fruit as a functional food and provide a foundation for further research into their industrial applications as functional ingredients.

Energy recovery from two low-value date varieties

Algeria produces 500,000 tons of dates a year, 53% are common varieties (Ould El Hadj 2012 ) (1).Production of bioethanol from two varieties of dates that are not widely marketed, Degla Beïda and Timjouhart. We analysed the physicochemical composition of the raw material: water content, acidity, °Brix degree, total sugars, reducing sugars, fat and proteins. The extracted date juice was then fermented for 72 hours and distilled to purify the ethanol. After fermentation and distillation, analyses were carried out by GCMS. The results showed that the juices extracted from the two varieties were rich in total sugars, 62.89% and 56% respectively for Degla Beïda and Timjouhart, but low in protein and fat. With regard to alcoholic fermentation, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae proved effective in producing ethanol, with yields of 86.79 g/l for Degla Beïda dates and 68.64 g/l for Timjouhart dates. With the application of processing and bioprocessing technologies, these date varieties could be exploited for further opportunities in various industries.

Intelligent dielectric method for evaluating some qualitative characteristics of date fruit

This study aimed to develop an intelligent capacitive system to measure the moisture content of date fruit and to recognize fruit characteristics, such as variety, size, and ripeness. A cost-effective and fast non-contact measurement solution using the capacitive method was employed to create a platform with a variable oscillator to measure the dielectric properties of date fruit after harvest. Different date varieties, namely Zahedi, Ghasb, Mazafati and Medjool, representing dry, semi-dry and wet date fruit, respectively, were selected to model and calibrate the proposed system. Samples of date fruit of each variety were selected at three different ripening stages (Khalal, Rutab and Tamr), ranging from high to low moisture content. Additionally, five distinct moisture contents were determined using the oven method. The moisture content of the date fruit samples ranged from 8.6 % to 86.9 % owing to the selection of four varieties, three ripening stages and five stepwise thermal treatments. After acquiring electronic information, 80 % of the dataset was allocated for training purposes, while the remaining 20 % was reserved for evaluating the final regression model. The results showed that of all the trained machine learning models, Support Vector Regression (SVR) had the highest potential for predicting moisture content at the specified frequencies. The SVR model was fine-tuned by fitting 1824 combinations of hyperparameters over 6 folds. The tuned model's prediction for 20 % of the assigned test data resulted in a coefficient of determination of 88 % compared to the actual moisture content, with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 9.4 %. Furthermore, the dielectric-based system classified the ripening stages using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model, achieving F1 scores of 87 %, 60 % and 68 % for the Khalal, Rutab and Tamr stages, respectively. The MLP regression model also predicted the geometric mean of the date fruit with a coefficient of determination of 0.82 and an RMSE of 3.05 mm.

Comprehensive analysis of microbiome biodiversity in popular date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit varieties

Due to its nutritional value and health benefits, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an essential dietary food crop throughout Middle Eastern and African countries. Consumers are concerned about the possible microbial contamination of dates, especially since most dates arriving in local markets are unprocessed. The absence of processing increases the possibility of microbial contamination, which raises the probability of microbial contamination. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the variability of fungal and bacterial microbiota identified in the most popular date palm fruits in Saudi Arabia. The study assessed ten date variety fruits from the most popular date palm varieties for consumption in Saudi Arabia and analyzed the microbial count. Morphological and molecular characterization and comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences identified 78 fungi, including 36 distinct species across 15 fungal genera. Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvilaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera among the ten fruit cultivars studied, according to ITS-rDNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, 36 bacterial isolates were obtained from ten date varieties studied, each with a unique colony morphology. These isolates were identified based on sequence alignment and comparison of their 16S rDNA internal spacer regions to those available in public databases. The results showed that the bacterial isolates included 15 species from five bacterial genera. The results suggested that Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Brucella were the prevailing genera among the ten tested fruit varieties. Some bacterial genera, such as Brucella, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, are well-known potential human pathogens. Chaetomium globosum was also recognized as air pollution causing adverse health effects such as allergies and as the causal agent of human fungal infections among the tested date varieties; the Rashodiah type exhibited the highest fungal contamination, whereas the Sagai variety displayed the lowest fungal contamination. Conversely, the Sukkari, Barhi, and Mejdool varieties were the most contaminated with bacteria among the ten tested varieties, while the Khalas variety showed the least bacterial contamination. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides the initial comprehensive account of the molecular and morphological identification of all fungal and bacterial genera associated with date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits.

Identification of the Fifteen Varieties of Bio-Dates to Optimize their Nutritional Value

Dates are fruits rich in biologically active substances, which give them a great interest in terms of validation. For this resonance, our study focuses on the biometric, physico-chemical, and biochemical characteristics of fifteen varieties of dates within the palms of the Loudaya experimental area of the centre for scientific and technical research on arid regions CRSTRA, Biskra, Algeria.

Heavy metals in dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) collected from Medina and Dhaka City markets, and assessment of human health risk

BackgroundConstantly eaten foods (such as fruits, vegetables, cereal, etc.) that contain excessive concentrations of heavy metals pose a major risk to human health and deplete the food supply. The amounts of heavy metals in different date varietiies were measured after they were collected from three wholesale markets in the major cities of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Medina. In order to look at the health risks associated with heavy metal consumption after intake of dates, the Average Daily Intake (ADI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) were also calculated.ResultsCopper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) levels were evaluated. Several analyses of date fruit exhibited levels of Pb and Cd in different date varieties that beyond the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL). In the majority of the samples, ADI was below the upper authorized tolerated daily consumption. The likelihood of a health risk from the regular eating of the investigated date fruits is revealed by the hazardous indexes of samples taken from New Market and Badamtali that surpassed unit value as a result of excessive air pollution brought on by greater industrial and vehicle traffic. According to the study, the majority of the analyzed heavy metals were identified in date samples and those from later samples at levels that were less harmful than the maximum acceptable threshold (MAL).ConclusionsSome samples included higher levels of Pb and Cd. As a result, eating dates that contain more metal has a higher chance of harming your health. Additionally, it has been recommended that regular testing for heavy metals in date fruits may be useful in preventing health risks associated with eating fruits that are contaminated with heavy metals.

Yield of spring wheat varieties of different dates of zoning when grown under intensive technology in the forest-steppe of the Novosibirsk Ob region

Yield of spring wheat varieties of different dates of zoning when grown under intensive technology in the forest-steppe of the Novosibirsk Ob region

Polyphenolic Profile and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of Three Algerian Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Varieties

As known, dates are packed with antioxidants and bioactive compounds and provide various health benefits, as evidenced by their varying nitrite levels. Algerian dates, on the other hand, have not been thoroughly investigated for their bioactive compounds and overall antioxidant capacity. This research aims to tap into this potential by meticulously measuring total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins in three popular Algerian varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Ksiba, Hamraya, and Deglet Nour, and the determination of their antioxidant activity using (scavenging assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. The analysis showed that the three varieties of date fruits are rich in total phenolics with an amount ranging between 71±51 and 7975±389 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE).100 g-1 of dry weight (DW), the flavonoid amount ranged from 31±3 to 767±4 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) 100 g-1 DW and condensed tannins between 6± 2 and 653 ±64 mg of catechin equivalent (CE) 100 g-1 dry DW. The antiradical activity was quite promising and ranged between 0.5 and 24 µg AAE mg-1 extract for DPPH and between 2 and 113 µg AAE mg-1 extract for ABTS, while the reducing power and total antioxidant capacity values ranged from 16 to 154 μg ascorbic acid (AAE) mg-1 and 39 to 68 μg AAE mg-1 extract respectively. The results of this study show that Algerian date fruit can be regarded as a potential natural source of antioxidants, with ethyl acetate serving as the best extractant solvent, resulting in higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activities.

Insights into date seed oil composition: Geographical variability and potential applications

AbstractDate fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) processing generates substantial quantities of date seeds, constituting a potential source of valuable oil yet currently considered waste. This study aimed at characterizing date seed oil (DSO) as a prospective approach for date seed valorization while investigating the influence of geographical origin on its composition. Samples from three Moroccan palm groves (Allougoum, Alnif, and Errachidia) and four non‐Moroccan samples were analyzed. Liquid and gas chromatography were applied to determine the chemical composition. The prevalent fatty acids were oleic acid (Ol), ranging from 40.8% to 50.2%, followed by lauric acid (La, 14.0%–24.2%), myristic acid (My, 9.0%–12.6%), palmitic acid (Pa, 9.0%–11.6%), linoleic acid (7.1%–10.7%), and stearic acid (St, 2.4%–4.8%). Major triacylglycerols identified included LaOlLa, LaOlMy, LaOlPa, LaOlOl, MyOlPa, MyOlOl, and PaOlOl. Notably, DSO contains significant tocochromanol (424–760 mg kg−1) and phytosterol content (3422–4827 mg kg−1), with specific phytosterols identified for the first time. Multivariate analysis employing principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, supplemented by heatmaps, underscored the influence of geographical origin on DSO composition. Moroccan samples exhibited distinctive profiles rich in St, Ol, Pa, PaOlSt, MyOlPa, PaOlPa, γ‐tocotrienol, and δ‐tocotrienol, leading to a differentiation from non‐Moroccan oils. Challenges in classifying DSO within selected Moroccan palm groves were discussed, emphasizing the necessity to consider major and minor compounds, along with date varieties, in geographical effect studies.Practical Applications: By delving into the chemical properties and potential applications of DSO, this research strives to contribute to sustainable and economically viable approaches for utilizing agricultural waste products.

The effect of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties on bioactive compounds, phenolic constituents, fatty acids and element contents of date seed and oils

AbstractIn this study, the oil amounts, bioactive components, fatty acid profiles and element quantities of the date kernels (Osailah, Rothanh Qassim, Rushudiah, Nabtat‐Ali, Sbakah) were determined. The oil quantities of the date seeds were altered to be between 3.50 (Osailah) and 5.55% (Nabtat‐Ali). The total phenolic quantities of the seeds were assigned to be between 330.83 (Rothanh Qassim) to 365.42 mg GAE/100 g (Osailah) while antioxidant activities of date seeds are assessed to be between 13.89 (Rothanh Qassim) and 38.74% (Nabtat‐Ali). The total flavonoid quantities of the date seeds were displayed to be between 4824.83 (Osailah) and 9133.17 mg/100 g (Sbakah). The (+)‐ Catechin and 1,2‐dihydroxy benzene quantities of the date seeds were established to be between 75.01 (Rothanh Qassim) and 186.02 mg/100 g (Sbakah) to 67.43 (Rothanh Qassim) and 199.89 mg/100 g (Sbakah), respectively. Oleic acid amounts of the seed oils were altered to be between 45.89 (Rothanh Qassim) and 52.55% (Nabtat‐Ali). K, P, S, Ca and Mg were the key minerals of the date seeds. Considering the bioactive components, polyphenol contents, fatty acid composition and mineral content of date kernels, it is thought that date kernel powders can be added to some foods as a food supplement.

Estamaran date vinegar: chemical and microbial dynamics during fermentation.

Vinegar is a fermented food produced by alcoholic and then acetic acid microbial metabolism. Date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a valuable source for the production of vinegar. Microbial identification has a major role in the improvement and bio-management of the fermentation process of vinegar. Estamaran and Kabkab two varieties of date palm fruit were selected to study the fermentation process. A culture-dependent approach was used to study bacterial dynamics. 16S rRNA gene was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), also restriction enzyme analysis with HinfI and TaqI, and sequencing was done. Assessment of microbial flora of date palm fruit during fermentation showed that Fructobacillus tropaeoli, Bacillus sp., Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, and Weissella paramesenteroides existed in the first phase of fermentation. With fermentation progress, microbial diversity decreased so only one species remained. Komagataeibacter xylinus as an acid acetic producer was present in the third phase of fermentation. Based on chemical analysis, the concentration of reducing sugars decreased during fermentation. With decreasing pH, a simultaneous increase in acidity and total phenolic compounds occurred. The trend of changes during Estamaran fermentation was more severe and a vinegar with desirable properties was produced. Therefore, this date variety is recommended for the production of date vinegar.

Investigating Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera) consumption effects on fasting blood glucose in animals and humans.

Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera), renowned for its premium taste and texture, is extensively consumed in the Islamic world, particularly during Ramadan. Despite its popularity, concerns persist regarding its potential to induce diabetes in non-patients. This study aims to explore the diabetogenic effects of prolonged Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera) consumption, the widely used fruit in the Islamic world, through animal experiments and human clinical data. Medjool dates were processed into an ethanolic extract for the animal experiment. Then, 21 Balb/c mice received varying doses of the extract for one month. The fasting blood glucose levels were analyzed at the beginning and after one month of consumption of the Majhool date extract. For the clinical study, 387 healthy participants wererecruited, with fasting blood glucose levels assessed before and after Ramadan, a period of heightened Majhool date consumption. all groups of the experimental animals exhibited a significant (p<0.05) weight increase after Majhool date consumption, while no significant (p>0.05) alteration in fasting blood glucose levels among groups. In addition, it wasfound that fasting blood glucose levels remained statistically unchanged (p>0.05) after heightened Majhool date consumption among humans. The study challenges the belief that Majhool date induces diabetes, supported by both animal and humandata. Findings suggest that Majhool date consumption, even at higher doses, does not induce diabetes. Further investigations could explore the impact of other date varieties on the fasting blood glucose levels.

Determination of changes in bioactive components, antioxidant capacity, phenolic components and mineral values of date fruits stored in different packages and temperatures for six months

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.

Relationship between Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Some Moroccan Date Palm Fruit Varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.): A Two-Year Study.

In Morocco, the abundance of low-value varieties in the oases may provide an opportunity to capitalize on this richness to create new nutraceutical food products. In this context, the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Moroccan date varieties were analyzed. Our results indicate that the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total condensed tannins vary, respectively, from 91.86 to 364.35 mg GAE/100 g of dry weight (DW), 46.59 to 111.80 mg QE/100 g DW and 16.10 to 42.03 mg CE/100 g DW during the 2021 harvest season. Furthermore, during the 2022 harvest season, these contents vary, respectively, from 119.13 to 410.39 mg GAE/100 g DW, 59.30 to 110.85 mg QE/100 g DW and 21.93 to 53.95 mg CE/100 g DW. The results of the HPLC-UV-VIS analysis revealed that, in all four varieties, gallic acid was and remained one of the major compounds in the date extracts. In addition, a high antioxidant activity of date extracts was particularly observed in the three tests, namely ferric reducing power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelating capacity (FIC) and the phosphomolybdate test. This richness in phenolic compounds makes low-value dates a source of active ingredient that can replace the synthetic antioxidants used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Antioxidant and phytochemical analysis of different date palm (Phoenix dactylifera l.) Seed varieties: An in vitro assessment

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit contains variety of bioactive constituents including phenolic compounds. This research aimed to analyze the phenolic constituents and antioxidant potential of crude methanol extract samples from seeds of different date varieties, Aseel (As), Ambar (Am), Ajwa Saudi (AJS), Ajwa Khairpur (AJK), Khipro (KP) and Karblyan (KB). Date seeds are regarded as waste product. However, it contains secondary chemicals of biomedical significance. Colorimetric methods were used for the evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant capacity. The Folin-Ciocalteu method was used for the assessment of phenolic content. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through phosphomolybdenum test, potassium ferricyanide test, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging test methods. All samples differ significantly in terms of antioxidant activities and quantity of secondary metabolites (phenolic and flavonoid contents). When all samples were compared, As was shown to have the highest amount of phenolic and flavonoids, while AJ(S) had the lowest content. The KP sample had the highest overall antioxidant and reducing potential, while the AJ(K) and Am samples showed the lowest, respectively. Significant DPPH scavenging capacity has been demonstrated in all samples. In order to extend the shelf life of food products, date seeds may consequently provide ideal material for the bio-functional food industry.

Minimizing the effects of Pb loss in detrital and igneous U–Pb zircon geochronology by CA-LA-ICP-MS

Abstract. Detrital zircon geochronology by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a widely used tool for determining maximum depositional ages and sediment provenance, as well as reconstructing sediment routing pathways. Although the accuracy and precision of U–Pb geochronology measurements have improved over the past 2 decades, Pb loss continues to impact the ability to resolve zircon age populations by biasing affected zircon toward younger apparent ages. Chemical abrasion (CA) has been shown to reduce or eliminate the effects of Pb loss in zircon U–Pb geochronology but has yet to be widely applied to large-n detrital zircon analyses. Here, we assess the efficacy of the chemical abrasion treatment on zircon prior to analysis by LA-ICP-MS and discuss the advantages and limitations of this technique in relation to detrital zircon geochronology. We show that (i) CA does not systematically bias LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dates for 13 reference materials that span a wide variety of crystallization dates and U concentrations, (ii) CA-LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon geochronology can reduce or eliminate Pb loss in samples that have experienced significant radiation damage, and (iii) bulk CA prior to detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology by LA-ICP-MS improves the resolution of age populations defined by 206Pb/238U dates (Neoproterozoic and younger) and increases the percentage of concordant analyses in age populations defined by 207Pb/206Pb dates (Mesoproterozoic and older). The selective dissolution of zircon that has experienced high degrees of radiation damage suggests that some detrital zircon age populations could be destroyed or have their abundance significantly modified during this process. However, we did not identify this effect in either of the detrital zircon samples that were analyzed as part of this study. We conclude that pre-treatment of detrital zircon by bulk CA may be useful for applications that require increased resolution of detrital zircon populations and increased confidence that 206Pb/238U dates are unaffected by Pb loss.

Phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and antiglycation potential of select Moroccan date varieties: promising sources for functional food development

Phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and antiglycation potential of select Moroccan date varieties: promising sources for functional food development

Valorizing date seeds in biscuits: A novel approach to incorporate bioactive components extracted from date seeds using microwave-assisted extraction

Date seeds contain various nutrients and bioactive compounds which can be utilized as functional food ingredients in a sustainable manner. This study optimized microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of bioactive compounds from defatted date seed powder (DSP) and investigated the physicochemical properties of the remaining residues from seeds of three different date varieties (Khalas, Fardh, and Khenaizi). Both, the extracts and the residues were incorporated as functional ingredients in the biscuits. Under optimal conditions: power 700 W, time 6 min, temperature 45 °C, and particle size <125μm, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were 15.88 mg GAE/g DSP and 8.51 mg QE/g DSP, respectively, while the antioxidant activities were 17.93, 61.68 and 39.74 mmol TE/g DSP for 2,2′ -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrlthydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), respectively. Bioactive properties were significantly different (P<0.05) among three DSP varieties. The main phenolic compounds identified in defatted DSP were benzoic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and vanillin. Moisture content, water holding capacity (WHC), and color of the defatted DSP were significantly affected by microwaves. DSP extract and residue fortified biscuits showed enhanced TPC, TFC, and antioxidant properties. This study indicates that date seeds can be successfully used in food products to promote more sustainable food production.

Composition biochimique et teneurs en composés phénoliques du vinaigre extrait de quelques variétés de dattes du Sud Algérien

Introduction. Dates can be used to make many food products, including vinegar. Objective. To study the biochemical composition and the contents of phenolic compounds in vinegar extracted from some dates varieties of southern Algeria. Material and Methods. Eight varieties of dates (Deglet blanc, Feggous, Tamjouart, Khaswane, Ajoua, Aadma, Parra, Hmira) were collected in October 2020, and purchased from Oran city. Vinegar obtained from these dates was compared to those of apple (cider) and commercial. Results. pH of vinegars was between 3.21 and 3.53, and was higher than that of apple (2.26), and commercial vinegars (2.51). Ash content was significantly increased in all varieties, excepted in Hmira which was low (P&lt;0.05). The highest dry matter value was noted in Aadma, Tamjouart and Feggous, and the lowest observed in Khaswane. Lipids and sugars contents were higher in Feggous, Parra, Deglet blanc, Tamjouart, Ajoua, Hmira and Aadma. Polyphenols content was significantly higher in Tamajouart, Parra and Aadma (P&lt;0.05). Flavonoid amount increased in Deglet blanc and Parra and decreased in Aadma. The highest tannin value was noted in Tamjouart and Ajoua, and the lowest was observed in Parra. Anthocyanins were significantly increased in Ajoua, Hmira and Adma. Conclusion. The different date vinegars present an acidic pH, and are rich in sugars, mineral salts and ash, with low lipid content due to their low concentration in dates. Moreover, date vinegars are rich in phenolic compounds, particularly polyphenols and flavonoids, suggesting that they can be considered as a valuable source of antioxidants.

Evolution of pigments and their relationship with skin color and sensory profile in date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Fresh dates of seventeen varieties and khalts from Southern Morocco were analysed for their colour, pigments content, and sensory profile. The results showed significant differences between the sensory profiles of the samples due to the variability of the genotype and their different origin. Fresh date varieties and khalts were a good source of β-carotene (0.49 - 10.86 µg of β-carotene /100 g FW). The results revealed that the date varieties and khalts were found to have an excellent functional composition and good sensory characteristics. Therefore, these varieties of Moroccan dates could be used for fresh consumption and in the processing industry, which will constitute a significant source of antioxidants.