Date Varieties Research Articles

DRY DATES POWDER INCORPORATED WITH VITAMIN C

Dates palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important crop which is cultivated in the warmer regions of the world. Semi-dry Aseel variety of dates is an important commercial variety of Pakistan which appears as yellow or golden colour. The iron content of aseel variety is 1.58±0.04 mg/100g. Vitamin C sources such as lemon peel and aonla powders used for formulating the product. Iron and Vitamin C combine to form an iron chelate complex which increases the solubility of iron. However, an excess of 200 mg of Vitamin C per 30 mg of elemental iron is required to enhance the absorption of highly available iron salts, such as ferrous sulphate. The aim of this study is to increase the bioavailability of iron in human metabolism. The drying characteristics of dry dates (TD, 60⁰C), lemon peel and aonla (TD, 60⁰C and HAO, 60⁰C) were observed. The proximate composition of the formulated samples were determined. The ascorbic acid content of the formulated samples T1 (58 mg/100 g), T2 (62.3 mg/100 g), T3 (450 mg/ 100 g) and T4 (468 mg/100 g) were found. Desired ranges of these quality parameters of the formulated samples were fixed and selected as the best product

Drying Kinetic of Oven and Cabinet Dried Red Date Fruit

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment technique (blanching) and temperature on the drying characteristics of the red date variety. Thin layer drying experiments were conducted at varying drying temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C using electrical laboratory oven and cabinet dryer with a constant air velocity of 1.4 m/s. Other sets of samples were blanched at 50 °C for 2-, 5- and 10-minutes before being dried at varying drying temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C respectively under the same drying conditions. The drying process took place mainly in the falling rate period indicating that the mechanism that governed moisture movement in the samples was diffusion. The drying curve showed that blanched red date fruits had higher drying rate than the un-blanched samples. The result is useful for farmers, researchers, and the processing industry in designing a reliable machine for processing red date fruit which will boost the small and medium scale production of the fruit in Nigeria.

Glucose content of 35 Saudi Arabian date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The present study describes the glucose content of 35 Arabian date fruit varieties, that were collected randomly from Saudi Arabian local markets in 2019. Date samples were analyzed for moisture and glucose contents. Using SP-3000nano UV–VIS Spectrophotometer (Optima, japan). In general, the moisture contents ranged from 7.3 ± 0.11 to 29.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g fresh weight (FW), with Safawi samples being the highest. Whereas the analyzed date varieties were found to be variable in the glucose content with Rawthanat Alqasim (83.09 ± 0.46 mg/dL) was found to have the highest glucose content, followed by the Sukari Alriyad (80.42 ± 0.47 mg/dL) and Alkhanizi (51.05 ± 0.94 mg/dL) varieties while the others had relatively low glucose contents with Shuqara (24.78 ± 0.57 mg/dL) being the lowest. These information’s can help balancing a healthy diet, specifically for diabetic patients and the effect of glucose consumption in their daily life. And to highlight the different date varieties’ in Saudi arabian as one of the biggest countries in dates production around the world, and compare the differences in their weight and glucose content.

Influence of Non-Thermal Plasma on the Quality and Nutritional Content of Palm Dates

In this work, the surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma treatment was used to sterilize the palm date fruits. N2SPS, N2FNS, and hydroxyl radical have emerged in the emission spectrum of the plasma from SDBD. The effects of SDBD plasma on A. niger that was extracted from palm date varieties were investigated. After 15 days of incubation, the reduction of A. niger at a 3 min exposure time was 4 log. The total phenolic content of the Ajwa variety after SDBD plasma treatment has been documented as the highest value among the other varieties; it was 1.65-fold of the untreated one. The treated Ajwa variety using SDBD plasma has recorded the highest increase in antioxidant activity; it was increased to 67.69% compared to the control one. After SDBD plasma treatment, the HMF was not detected in the Maghol variety. According to the PCA model, the first two PCs demonstrated strong positive correlations with most of the examined variables and demonstrated a strong positive correlation between these variables when assessed in both untreated and treated with SDBD plasma of palm date types in this stud.

Utilisation of dates for the formulation of functional food product

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the popular perennial fruit tree grown around the world, particularly in West Asia and North Africa. Its fruit (date) is popular all throughout the world. The tree is well-known for its beneficial health benefits and is regarded as a high-value commercial fruit crop in the worldwide market. Dates are a high-quality, low-cost source of macro- and micronutrients. Date fruits are mostly composed of carbohydrates, including soluble sugars and dietary fibre, with modest quantities of fats and proteins. Dates also poses antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, hepato-protective, gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulatory and anti-cancererous properties. Despite the lack of commercialization of many varieties, date palm fruits are important marketable crops. An explosion of interest in the numerous health benefits of dates in recent years has resulted in numerous in vitro and animal studies, as well as the identification and quantification of various classes of phytochemicals. Food scientists and the food industry have created a vast variety of food products made from dates, including paste, syrup, juice, sugar, jam, jelly, butter, chocolates, condiments, pickled dates, oils, coffee etc. This review includes updated information concerning the composition of several varieties of dates, as well as the possible health advantages of Phoenix dactylifera and processed items made from date fruit.

The automated cell counter for the analysis of morphological characteristics and the quantitative estimation of starch granules in different potato varieties

Relevance. Potato starch is widely used in the food, textile, perfume and pharmaceutical industries. The starch content and the size of starch granules in potato tubers are varietal characteristics (Solanum tuberosum L.). The knowledge of morphological properties of starch plays a key role in the technologies for the production of consumer and industrial goods.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in 2020-2021 at the experimental base of Federal State Budget Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Bio-technology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki” (Primorsky Krai). The object of the research were 11 varieties of different maturity dates. Morphological structure of starch granules was evaluated by image analysis on Countess II FL automated cell counter.Results. The varieties studied had predominantly rounded and oval pellets regardless of maturity and genetic origin. Differences in starch granule size depending on tuber size and ripeness group were noted. Early maturing varieties had granule size less than 20 microns regardless of tuber fraction. The exception is the variety Queen Anne, in small tubers of this variety starch granules larger than 20 microns is 67.86%. It was noted that the proportion of medium and large grains increased in varieties with a longer growing season. For example, the variety Augustin medium-ripening had a proportion of medium and large grains in the large and small tuber of 47.72 and 41.48%, respectively. The maximum number of grains larger than 20 microns was observed in the mid-late varieties Kazachok (63.77%) and Smak (92.22%).Conclusion. The method using a cell counter and subsequent processing of microphotographs of starch granules is an accessible, economical, simple and effective approach to phenotyping potato varieties and hybrids of Solanum tuberosum L. by physical and chemical parameters of starch. This method can be used for accelerated analysis of a large number of samples on a limited amount of natural material, including in field and farm laboratories.

In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Some Secondary Metabolites Extract from Ocimum basilicum and Salvia officinalis Against Fusarium oxysporum f.spalbedinis of Phoenix dactylifera. L.

Fusarium of date palm is a vascular fusariosis caused by a telluric fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (F.O.A) which affects the best date varieties in Algeria. Several medicinal plants are adapted with the climatic complexity of the Saharan region, among these plants in the south-west of Algeria Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum. The aim of this work is to study the antifungal effect of flavonoid extracts from Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum leaves by the technique described by Bouchelta et al. (2005), as well the antifungal effect of the aqueous extract of these plants against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis isolated from the grove of Igli. The evaluation of the antifungal activity revealed a slight mycelial growth anti-proportional to the concentration of flavonoid extract added to the culture medium with an inhibition index of 73.04% at the concentration 3.17μg/ml and 57.42% at the concentration 1.13µg/ml for flavonoids extract of Ocimum basilicum and Salvia officinalis, respectively. In addition, the aqueous extract revealed an inhibition index of 35.15% at the concentration of 0.33mg/ml and 10.54% at the concentration of 3.92mg/ml for Salvia officinalis and Ocimum basilicum, respectively.

Relationship between biochemical properties of some date varieties and nutritional requirements of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (1839)

Ectomyelois ceratoniae Z is one of the most dangerous insects in the world and Algerian phoeniciculture. The survival of this insect is based on the search for the appropriate dates varieties to its nutritional needs. In this paper, an experimental study was performed to determine these nutritional needs and the mechanisms to obtain them from dates. In this study, three susceptible varieties to the moth attack were chosen, the healthy and infested dates were separated to calculate on the one hand the attack rate and to carry out the qualitative analyzes. The results showed that the moth selects the appropriate dates to lay its eggs and feed the larvae based on the consistency of the dates and their high sucrose content. The content of the sucrose is reduced in attacked dates, resulting from their consumption after the enzymatic degradation by Invertase for the synthesis of simpler sugars (fructose and glucose) to be easily used by the larvae. The more the medium is very acidic (infested dates), the more the degradation of sucrose is important. The total sugar is also necessary to produce sufficient energy for the biological activities of the moth (growth).The use of these organic elements by the larvae leads to a reduction in the weight of the date and increases its fragility.

Phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial attributes of different extracts of seeds: the Algerian variety of dates ‘Deglet Nour’ (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial attributes of different extracts of seeds: the Algerian variety of dates ‘Deglet Nour’ (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

High-Quality Bioethanol and Vinegar Production from Saudi Arabia Dates: Characterization and Evaluation of Their Value and Antioxidant Efficiency.

Dates are very rich in various nutritious compounds, especially reducing sugars. Sugars ensure both anaerobic and aerobic fermentation, carried out respectively for the production of bioethanol and vinegar. Currently, the world production of dates is constantly increasing owing to the significant improvement in production conditions following the continuous scientific and technological development of this field. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important world producers of dates, occupying the second place by producing 17% of the total world production. This is why it has become a national priority to find new ways to exploit and further valorize dates and palm waste in the development of new and sustainable products. The present study was designed to explore the possible study of a variety of date palm by-products in the production of bioethanol and vinegar via Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Different parameters of bioethanol and vinegar production, including pH, time, fermentation temperature, and yeast concentration, were studied and optimized. Chemical, physicochemical, purity behavior, and antioxidant performance were carried out via NMR, FTIR, and antioxidant activity essays (TPC, DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene bleaching test) with the aim to evaluate the potential of the bioethanol and vinegar samples extracted from date palm by-products. Khalas date vinegar revealed significantly more phenolic content (5.81 mg GAE/mL) (p < 0.05) than the different kinds of vinegar tested (Deglet Nour and Black dates; 2.3 and 1.67 mg GAE/mL, respectively) and the commercial vinegar (1.12 mg GAE/mL). The Khalas date vinegar generally showed a higher carotenoid value and better antioxidant activity than the other vinegars extracted from other date varieties and commercially available vinegar. The results confirmed the high quality of the bioethanol and vinegar products, and the efficiency of the developed production processes.

Date Value Chain Analysis, Development, and Competitiveness of Date Palm Products in the Sultanate of Oman

This paper considers the vision of how to develop an efficient value chain and development strategies to improve the value chain in Oman. The main key factors of inclusive and sustainable development of the date value chain are determined to carry out the appropriate actions for improving the date palm sector in Oman. To explore the challenges and opportunities leading to the improvement of the marketing, commercialization, and competitiveness of dates and date palm products in this country, an analytical tool guideline (SWOT) was framed. Such analysis is useful to raise awareness to create policies for improved marketing of dates. Based on the SWOT analysis, the diversification of date varieties, and orientation toward modern plantations are the most important strengths of the date value chain. However, the increasing competition in regional and global date markets is the major threat to the date sector in Oman. There is a good possibility to promote the date processing industry in Oman given the rising demand for fresh and processed dates in national and international markets. A profitable and competitive date palm sector could be achieved by focusing on high yield and commercial varieties to ensure higher date palm productivity and the orientation toward adoption of quality standards to meet international market demand.

Drug repurposing for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Currently, repurposing an existing medicine for treatment of a different disease is a good and lucrative choice because of the long and time-consuming research and development process of new drugs and the high attrition rate. The utilization of low-risk chemicals, lower overall research costs, and shorter development timelines are all contributing to its growth and appeal. Ideal repurposed medication candidates have been found using a variety of date- and experimental-driven methodologies. However, there are a number of technological and legislative issues that must be addressed. Type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus are both forms of diabetes mellitus, although gestational diabetes mellitus is a transitory condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes in the future. About 90% to 95% of diabetic people have type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease. Currently medications used for the treatment of these two diabetes is basically Metformin which often regarded as first line of treatment for Diabetes, but it is not affective too much and just control the condition. In order to identify a more effective therapy for Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, we are going to use the Drug repurposing approach to look at novel pharmaceuticals and treatments and alternative combinations of current drugs. Medicine repurposing strategies and their usage in the search for a better drug or combination of drugs for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes have been addressed in this review article.

From waste to a sustainable ingredient: Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits incorporation enhances the physicochemical and sensory properties of Algerian date syrups

The date syrups are processed traditionally from pulps of the date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. The pits, residues from the syrups production, are rich in bioactive compounds and could constitute an added value. The present study aims to promote Algerian dates of low market value and develop new food formulation of syrup from whole dates. Therefore, the physicochemical and sensory properties of the date syrups of three Algerian date varieties, namely H'mira, Ghars and Tantbouche, pitted and from entire fruits, were evaluated. The obtained results indicated that the incorporation of date pits was able to improve significantly the physicochemical and sensory properties of the new prepared syrups. In general, the physicochemical attributes of new syrups varied between samples. However, the syrup prepared by H'mira pits was most appreciated for its color, sweetness and brilliance and therefore received the highest hedonic preference score and purchase intent (2.75 and 2.69 respectively). Overall, date pits incorporation could improve significantly the composition and nutritional properties of date syrups.

EFFECTS OF SCARIFICATION ON EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera) IN MAKURDI, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH

The Study was conducted at the nursery of the Teaching and Research Farm Joseph Sarwun Taker University (JOSTUM), Makurdi, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of different seed treatment on seed germination and seedling establishment of some date varieties. Factorial combination of five seed treatments (hot water, cold water, H2­SO4, moist sawdust and control) and three varieties (Ajwah, Matinal, and Deglenurr) were laid in a Complete Randomized Block Design replicated three times. Data were collected on Germination Percentage, plant height, leaf width, stem girth and number of leaves at 4 – 18 weeks after planting. Data were subjected to two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separation by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of significance. Results revealed that sawdust scarification had the highest average germination percentage of 83.20%, plant height (43.91 cm), leaf width (1.96 mm), leaf length (25.17 cm), stem diameter (14.12 mm) and number of leaves (4.50). The results further showed that Degletnur variety had the highest germination percentage of 81.04%, plant height of 25.38cm, stem diameter (7.74 mm) and number of leaf (3.83) at the end of the study. The study revealed that breaking dormancy with sawdust material is effective and Degletnur variety of date palm gave the highest growth parameter so also 2021 season gave the highest in all the parameters considered. Therefore scarification using sawdust should be adopted in breaking dormancy in date’s palm with Degletnur variety

Biochemical Study of Consumption Zahdi Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Dates considered one of most significant commercial crops and have been documented in the Holy Quran and scientific references. This study was designed to determine the therapeutic effects of Zahdi variety of dates in control subjects and their effects on glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), antioxidant vitamins (C and E), and inorganic phosphate and calcium excursions. Study subjected twenty-four control group (12 male and 12 females), mean age (42.0±8.69 year), and twenty patients with diabetic type 2 (10 males and 10 females) with a means of HbA1c (9.25 ±2.02 %) and age (47.7±9.33 year). All participants ate a single number of the Zahdi dates (5-7) before breakfasting for a prior twenty-one days. Glucose was measured in control group and for diabetics. Glycemic index (GI) was established as proportion of the gradational areas below the return curves for dates as compared to glucose. Collecting blood samples from patients and control group were collected and the statistical data examinations are achievement by using independent samples and paired t-test. The results indicated a significant increase in glucose, MDA, total cholesterol and TG, while a significant decrease in GSH, vitamins (C and E) and phosphate in patients when compared with control group (previously and in accordance) consumption dates palm. No considerable changes in calcium level between diabetic and control subjects. The consumption of dates palm led to a significant decrease in MDA, total cholesterol, TG, and phosphate, also a significant increase in GSH and vitamin E in diabetic patients when compared with control group.

Investigation of Bunch Cut at Different Times After Pollination and Flower Position in the Spikelet in Date Palm 'Sukkary' Variety

As many studies on other crops showed an acropetal decline of fruit-set and fruit size in the inflorescence, this paper investigates the effect of flower position in spikelets in the '˜Sukkary' variety of date palm on fruit-set and final fruit weight. Also studied was the best time to apply strand-cut (bunch cut) as an alternative to hand thinning, to increase final fruit weight. Hand thinning is a labor cost operation and worker productivity operation is one adult tree per day maximum. To study fruit-set in relation to fruit position, three types of pollen were used to pollinate female trees: new pollen harvested in March 2018, pollen stored for one year at room temperature (25-35° C), and pollen stored for two years at room temperature. Four weeks after pollination, fruits aborted and those non-aborted in every bunch were counted. Recording was done in every spikelet from proximal to distal. To study the effect of fruit position in spikelet on fruit weight, fresh pollen was used to pollinate 'Sukkary' females. Every two days, fruit weight was measured from pollination to harvest, and fruit growth pattern was drawn. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out for the final fruit weight in every spikelet part. This investigation showed no pattern in fruit-set or in final fruit weight when using new pollen. When pollinated with old pollen that was one and two years old, the proximal '˜Sukkary' flowers of the spikelets showed less fruit-set compared to those of the middle and distal part. This basipetal decline is explained by low viability of old pollen, combined with the basipetal opening of the spathes in date palm...

Nutritional properties, aromatic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of ten date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Tunisia

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.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties at various maturity stages

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties at various maturity stages

Date Fruit Sorting Based on Deep Learning and Discriminant Correlation Analysis

Date fruit is among the major crops in the middle-east region, where millions of tons are harvested every year. Date is a healthy fruit, which involves sugars, minerals and vitamins. In addition, it helps preventing human body from several diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. Date sorting is a fundamental step in the date industry. However, manually conducting such an operation, by human labors, is expensive and time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a method for classifying the type of date fruit by incorporating supervised and unsupervised deep networks. Specifically, we use discriminant correlation analysis (DCA) algorithm to fuse features learned from convolution neural networks (VGG-F) and an unsupervised network called PCANet. DCA jointly performs feature fusion and dimensionality reduction with a low computational complexity. To carry out experiments, we introduce a new benchmark dataset of date fruit images from 20 date varieties. Our benchmark is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest one in terms of number of varieties. Note that the dataset is publicly available at https://unsat.000webhostapp.com/dataset. Experimental results demonstrate the utility of DCA as well as the complementarity of the fused features. It has also been shown the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to several relevant methods.

Evaluation of some nutritional quality criteria of seventeen Moroccan dates varieties and clones, fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Date fruit is known to be the staple food in the Arab countries. It provides a lot of potential health benefits and can be the essential source of nutrients. The majority of Moroccan varieties are not characterized for their chemical, biochemical and quality properties. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of 17 varieties of Moroccan date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to determine their nutritive components. The analysis showed that the dates are rich in sugars (51.80-87.98%), they contain low concentration of proteins (1.09-2.80%) and lipids (0.16-0.39%). The predominant mineral is potassium (1055.26-1604.10 mg/100 g DW). Moreover, they contain high concentrations of malic acid (69.48-495.58 mg/100 g (DW)), oxalic acid (18.47-233.35 mg/100 g DW) and tartaric acid (115.70-484.168 mg/100 g DW). These results suggest that the date fruit are nutritious and can be an excellent source for human nutrition and health benefits.