Trace element levels in some kinds of dates

Potential of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as natural antioxidant source and functional food for healthy diet

Date fruit is well known for their taste and concentrated nutritional components. Present study investigated two Omani date varieties i.e., Umsellah and Khalas, related to their physical traits, antioxidant properties, carbohydrates and nutritional values. Results showed that total-phenolic in Umsellah were 62% higher compared to Khalas, i.e., 164.22 and 103.85 mg/100 g. Among antioxidants, gallic acid in both Umsellah and Khalas were 35.77 and 27.41 mg/ 100 g respectively. Caffeic and syringic acid resulted 50% greater in Umsellah compared to Khalas. The ρ-coumaric acid contents in Umsellah and Khalas were 24.94 and 21.69 mg/ 100 g respectively. Total sugar in Umsellah (51.37 g of glucose equivalent / 100 g of dates) was found higher compared to Khalas (44.78 g of glucose equivalent / 100 g of dates). Among nutrients, potassium (K) level is very high (> 450 mg/100 g) in both the varieties with optimum range of other nutrients. For dietary fibers, Umsellah (81.17 g/100 g) reported higher proportion than Khalas (67.35 g/100 g). Overall findings inferred that Umsellah contained greater amount of beneficial individual phenolic and sugar compounds for the nourishment of health than Khalas. Therefore, as high antioxidant and nourished with several nutritional components, Umsellah and Khalas can be well adopted as organic and medicinal diets and can be used for various by-products irrespective of their market value.

Determination of the elemental composition and antioxidant properties of dates (Phoenix dactyliferia) originated from different regions

Due to the growing interest in running a healthy life, including the diet a special interest has been put in searching for products that are rich in nutrients, macro and micronutrients and vitamins. Dates are the fruits that meet these requirements and show multidirectional pro-health effects. These fruits are a source of potassium and other macro- and micronutrients. They have antioxidant properties thanks to the content of flavonoids and polyphenols. The elemental composition (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Sr and Zn) and antioxidant properties (total equivalent antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content) of various dates from different regions of the world was determined. The results have shown that the peel and flesh of dates differ significantly in chemical composition. The peel is significantly richer in chemical components of biological importance. Discriminant analysis of the results obtained for dates originated from various regions indicated that the main factor determining the tested chemical composition is the place of cultivation, not the variety.

Monitoring of Heavy Metal Content in Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Production and Market Sites in the Misurata Area of Libya

The content of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in some selected fruits and vegetables from the Misurata City Market, Libya, were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results of this study showed that the average concentrations detected ranged from 0.02 to 1.824, 0.75 to 6.21, 0.042 to 11.4, 0.141 to 1.168, 0.19 to 5.143, and 0.01 to 0.362 mg/kg for Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, and Cd, respectively. The highest mean levels of Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni and Cd were detected in mango, melon, spinach, banana, mango, and mango fruits, respectively. The levels of these metals found in our study are compared with those reported for similar fruits and vegetables from some other parts of the world. The daily human intakes of Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, and Cd ascribed to a diet of fruits and vegetables in this region have also been estimated.

Date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera Linn): an emerging medicinal food

Date palm is one of the oldest trees cultivated by man. In the folk-lore, date fruits have been ascribed to have many medicinal properties when consumed either alone or in combination with other herbs. Although, fruit of the date palm served as the staple food for millions of people around the world for several centuries, studies on the health benefits are inadequate and hardly recognized as a healthy food by the health professionals and the public. In recent years, an explosion of interest in the numerous health benefits of dates had led to many in vitro and animal studies as well as the identification and quantification of various classes of phytochemicals. On the basis of available documentation in the literature on the nutritional and phytochemical composition, it is apparent that the date fruits are highly nutritious and may have several potential health benefits. Although dates are sugar-packed, many date varieties are low GI diet and refutes the dogma that dates are similar to candies and regular consumption would develop chronic diseases. More investigations in these areas would validate its beneficial effects, mechanisms of actions, and fully appreciate as a potential medicinal food for humans all around the world. Therefore, in this review we summarize the phytochemical composition, nutritional significance, and potential health benefits of date fruit consumption and discuss its great potential as a medicinal food for a number of diseases inflicting human beings.

Protective effect of date palm fruit extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on dimethoate induced-oxidative stress in rat liver

Nowadays, people's exposure to chemical compounds such as organophosphorus insecticides is continuously on the rise more and more. Theses compounds have induced an excessive production of free radicals which are responsible for several cell alterations in the organism. Recent investigations have proved the crucial role of nutritional antioxidants to prevent the damage caused by toxic compounds. In this study, we investigate the role of date palm fruit extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in protection against oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity induced by subchronic exposure to dimethoate (20mg/kg/day). Oral administration of dimethoate caused hepatotoxicity as monitored by the increase in the levels of hepatic markers enzymes (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase), as well as in hepatic malondialdehyde thus causing drastic alteration in antioxidant defence system. Particularly, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were found increased by dimethoate while catalase (CAT) activity was reduced significantly. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by histological changes marked by appearance of vacuolization, necrosis, congestion, inflammation, and enlargement of sinusoids in liver section. Pretreatment with date palm fruit extract restored the liver damage induced by dimethoate, as revealed by inhibition of hepatic lipid peroxidation, amelioration of SOD, GPx and CAT activities and improvement of histopathology changes. The present findings indicate that in vivo date palm fruit may be useful for the prevention of oxidative stress induced hepatotoxicity.

Nutritional and functional properties of dates: a review

This review article provides information on the nutritional and functional constituents of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and their seeds from over 80 references. Date flesh is found to be low in fat and protein but rich in sugars, mainly fructose and glucose. It is a high source of energy, as 100 g of flesh can provide an average of 314 kcal. Ten minerals were reported, the major being selenium, copper, potassium, and magnesium. The consumption of 100 g of dates can provide over 15% of the recommended daily allowance from these minerals. Vitamins B-complex and C are the major vitamins in dates. High in dietary fiber (8.0 g/100 g), insoluble dietary fiber was the major fraction of dietary fiber in dates. Dates are a good source of antioxidants, mainly carotenoids and phenolics. Date seeds contain higher protein (5.1 g/100 g) and fat (9.0 g/100 g) as compared to the flesh. It is also high in dietary fiber (73.1 g/100 g), phenolics (3942 mg/100 g) and antioxidants (80400 micromol/100 g). This detailed information on nutritional and health promoting components of dates and their seeds will enhance our knowledge and appreciation for the use of dates in our daily diet and their seeds as a functional food ingredient.

Compositional and sensory characteristics of three native sun-dried date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman

Three native sun-dried date varieties grown in Oman, namely, Fard, Khasab, and Khalas, were examined for their proximate composition, sugars, dietary fiber, minerals, and organic acids as well as sensory characteristics. The study was conducted on sun-dried dates due to their higher consumption compared with fresh dates. All results are expressed as mean value +/- standard deveiation (n = 3) on a fresh weight basis except for sensory analysis. Date varieties were found to be low in fat and protein, but rich in sugars, dietary fiber, and minerals. They were found to be a good source of energy (278-301 kcal/100 g), due to the high sugar content. Total sugar content ranged from 56.1 to 62.2 g/100 g, being lowest in Khasab and highest in Khalas. Total dietary fiber content of dates varied from 6.26 to 8.44 g/100 g, of which 84-94% was insoluble fiber. Twelve minerals were studied in dates, among which the major minerals were potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Date varieties were also found to be an excellent source of selenium (ranging from 0.36 to 0.53 mg/100 g). Six organic acids were positively identified, among which malic acid predominated in all varieties. Differences (p < 0.05) in the contents of dietary fiber, organic acids, and certain minerals were observed among the three date varieties examined. Descriptive sensory analysis showed that among the nine sensory attributes studied, only the attributes color and desirability were rated as being of significantly (p < 0.01) higher intensity in Fard than in Khasab, whereas flesh firmness was lower (p < 0.01). Thus, these results suggest that although all three dates serve as a good source of vital nutrients, the Khalas variety, which is considered as premium quality, had significantly higher contents of sugar and selenium and a significantly higher energy value than the other varieties studied.