Physico-chemical and functional characteristics of date fruits from different Phoenix species (Arecaceae)

Introduction. The genus Phoenix has 13 species. Dates from P. dactylifera and P. theophrasti are the only ones that have been characterised so far. The aim of our study was to evaluate the physico-chemical and functional characteristics of date fruits in the Khalal and Rutab stages of P. loureiroi, P. canariensis, P. reclinata and P. roebelenii, and compare them with P. dactylifera. Materials and methods. Two samples of 15 date fruits in the Khalal stage and another 15 date fruits in the Rutab stage were chosen from each species for analyses and quality parameters. Results and discussion. Significant differences in the measured parameters were observed among the different species. Dates of P. dactylifera were larger than those of the other species and had the lowest [seed weight/fruit weight] proportion. In the Khalal stage, dates from P. canariensis and P. dactylifera were yellow, P. loureiroi and P. reclinata were dark yellow to orange, and those of P. roebelenii were brown purple. Dates of P. dactylifera (Rutab stage) showed higher sugar and lower organic acid contents than those of the other dates. Dates of P. reclinata,P. roebelenii and P. canariensis presented values of antioxidant activity and total phenols in the Khalal stage that were very high compared with those of P. dactylifera. These species are used as ornamental palms but their fruits are consumed locally as food. These dates presented high nutritional quality and can be used as novel foods for different purposes, such as snacks or food fortification, especially due to their high value in functional properties.