Biochemical attributes of dates at three maturation stages

Abstract

The date fruit is a primary component of the human diet in many countries with arid and semiarid climates. The present study reflects the relationship of different biochemical attributes with progressive date fruit developmental stages. The study involved eight date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars from Pakistan examined at three different edible stages of dates (khalal, rutab and tamar). The antiradical efficiency (2.14-0.36), antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase), total phenolic contents (468.99-108 mg GAE/100g, FW) and the soluble protein contents (5.73-2.75 g/100g) were higher in higher at khalal and thereafter, but declined at fully ripened (tamar) stage. Moreover, glucose (16.92-31.66%) and fructose (15.25-30.58%) have lower quantity at khalal and higher quantity at tamar stage, whereas non-reducing (sucrose) sugars were present only at khalal and rutab stage fruits. Makran and Chohara cultivars revealed best overall values in examined compounds. Our results revealed that variation in different biochemical attributes is mainly depended on the difference in fruit maturity stage and cultivar. Cultivars exhibiting high values of beneficial biochemical attributes may be considered for the expansion of date palm cultivation.

Antioxidants in Date Fruits and the Extent of the Variability of the Total Phenolic Content: Review and Analysis

“…Excel (Microsoft) and SPSS (IBM, version 23) were used for statistical analysis which included estimates of central tendency and variability. (35,6). The apparent number of included cultivars was 250, with Khalas (5.5%), Khadhrawi (4.3%), Barhi (3.1%), Hallawi (2.7%), Deglet Nour (2.4%), and Medjool (2%) being the most represented.…”

Antioxidant activity, volatile and nonvolatile composition of two Phoenix dactylifera L. by-products

“…That could be explained by the high tannins content of the date fruit at this stage of ripening. During the maturation, these polyphenols tend to decrease due to oxidation and enzymatic browning [31].…”

Physical and antioxidant properties of two Algerian date fruit species (Phoenix dactylifera L. and Phoenix canariensis L.)

“…The fruit of this palm is a staple food of people living in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Moreover, it plays an important role in the socioeconomic system of these regions (Haider et al, 2014).…”