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The date is a fruit of the palm family (Phoenix dactylifer), grown in Morocco in the southern regions. It is a very important fruit in the Moroccan table, especially during Ramadan (9th month of the Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar consisting of 354 days), where it becomes an essential food that is very nutritious and invigorating to the breaking of the fast added to milk. The present work aimed to determine the contents of mineral elements (fluorine, calcium, magnesium and chlorides) and sugar levels (Brix, glucose) of 12 varieties: Ajwa (Saudi Arabia), Deglet nour (Algeria), Anbara (Saudi Arabia), Anbara (United Arab Emirates), Boufeggous (Errachidia; Morocco), Aziza (Figuig; Morocco), Majhoul (Erfoud; Morocco) Majhoul (Errachidia; Morocco), Elkhalsse (Tafilalt; Morocco) Tarzawa (Tafilalt; Morocco), Deglet nour (Tunisia), Majhoul Sghir (Tafilalt; Morocco)) of dates marketed in Morocco of North African and Middle Eastern origin. Fluoride analyses were performed using a fluoride-specific ion electrode (HI-4110). The analyses of Ca, Mg, Cl and glucose levels were performed by Spectrophotometric methods. The results of the fluoride levels revealed in the different varieties of dates varied from 0.26 to 1.05 mg in 100g of fresh weight. The sucrose and glucose levels varied between 11.8 g to 17.75 g and 18 to 40.9 g in 100g of fresh date weight, respectively. The Mg, Ca and Cl levels varied between 46.89 to 93.71mg, 11.20 to 279.28 mg and 30.66 to 47.33 mg in 100g fresh date weight, respectively. Thus, it is possible to classify the varieties of dates on the basis of their nutritional qualities and mode of consumption and to warn the population about their consumption in excess with the risk (if any) of an attack of dental or osseous fluorosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dates and other high sugar fruits have minimal starch and protein content. • Analysis of total dietary fiber in these fruits does not require enzyme hydrolysis. • Non- enzymatic is a cost-effective method of analysis for total dietary fiber. Analysis of total dietary fiber (TDF) is an expensive method due to the use of enzymes. The present study compared the measured TDF content in dry fruits using two methods (enzymatic gravimetric method with and without enzymes α-amylase, protease and amyloglucosidase) to validate the cost-effective non-enzymatic analysis for TDF measurement. The study analyzed 16 samples of dry fruits: 12 date fruit cultivars (ten from UAE and two from Sudan) and two samples of figs and raisins. We found comparable TDF content in the dry fruits with and without the addition of enzymes in our analysis. Our results indicate that the level of agreement between the enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods falls within the acceptable range. Based on these results the non-enzymatic method can be a suitable, cost effective alternative to the enzymatic method for TDF analysis in dry fruits with low starch and protein contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare the chemical and physical properties of 18 varieties of the date fruits from date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera), which are regarded as popular fruit commodities among the populace of the Middle Eastern peninsula. Dietary fiber, proximate analysis, micronutrients (micro-elements and macro-elements) and physical properties (weight, length, and density) of the selected 18 leading varieties of dates cultivated in the United Arab Emirates--namely Khalas, Barhe, Lulu, Shikat alkahlas, Sokkery, Bomaan, Sagay, Shishi, Maghool, Sultana, Fard, Maktoomi, Naptit saif, Jabri, Khodary, Dabbas, Raziz and Shabebe--were determined and compared. Significant differences ( P  <  0.05) in the measured parameters were observed among the different varieties. However, the results depict that date fruits, depending on the variety, contain significant but quite variable amounts of macro-elements and micro-elements. The macro-elements measured are calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium and magnesium, while the essential micro-elements and the possibly essential micro-elements are iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt and molybdenum, and aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, strontium and vanadium, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties, commonly grown in the UAE, were studied for their chemical composition, physical, mechanical and rheological properties. All measurements were made at the ‘tamr’ stage, the final stage of fruit ripeness. Samples were analysed for sugar, moisture, protein, ash and mineral element contents. Physical measurements as well as mechanical and rheological measurements of the fruit including pitting pressure, shear pressure, and modulus of elasticity were also carried out. Significant differences were observed in the characteristics that were studied, allowing for distinguishable grades among the five varieties. Chemical and physical characteristics of the fruits influenced their mechanical and rheological properties, which in turn can be indicators of firmness and ultimately of quality. Results from this work revealed new and essential information for better understanding of the date fruit that helps to enhance industrialisation and propagation of the best date varieties that satisfy producers’ as well as consumers’ demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptability to salinity varies between different varieties of date palm trees. This research aims to explore the long-term impact of different salinity irrigation levels on the mineral content of 13 date palm varieties grown in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Date varieties were grown using three irrigation water salinity levels of 5, 10 and 15 dS m−1. The mineral composition (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and Zn) of date palm fruits was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). High salinity levels showed no effect on the mineral content of Ajwat AlMadinah, Naghal, Barhi, Shagri, Abu Maan, Jabri, Sukkari and Rothan varieties. All date varieties remained good sources of dietary potassium, magnesium, manganese and boron even at high salinity levels. Increased salinity had no effect on the percent Daily Value (%DV) categories of most of the analyzed minerals. While no genotypes showed a general adaptation to different saline environments, Barhi, Ajwat Al Madinah, Khinizi, Maktoumi and Shagri varieties were more stable towards salinity variation. In the UAE, the genotype x saline-environment interaction was found to be high which makes it impossible to attribute the variation in mineral content to a single varietal or salinity effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Demonstration on chemical synthesis procedures for activated carbon from biomass. • Characterization studies and several analytical techniques were carried out to determine CO 2 sorbent potentials. • Preparation conditions and activation agents had significant effects on the yield and adsorption capacity. • Further discussion on other chemical activating agents and parameters for improved capture performance. In this study, activated carbons were synthesized from seeds of local date fruits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and investigated for carbon dioxide (CO 2) adsorption. Activated carbon (AC) synthesis was completed by furnace activation in the temperature range (600, 700, 800, 900 °C) after infusion with chemical compounds. Two reagents (Potassium Hydroxide- KOH and Sulfuric acid- H 2 SO 4) were mixed with the date seed samples in varying impregnation ratios (KOH- 3:1, 4:1, 5:1 and H 2 SO 4 - 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1) and directly heated to activation wherein the removal of volatile matter content leads to formation of AC porous structure. The AC yield was found to be inversely proportional to the activating temperature and impregnating ratio. Characterization tests carried out include elemental analysis, nitrogen sorption isotherms to assess surface area and micropore volumes, and Fourier transform infrared spectra to identify structural changes in surface functional groups. Adsorption tests were conducted via a micro- reaction calorimeter using pure CO 2 stream at atmospheric pressures and temperatures (20, 30, 40 °C). The sulfuric acid activated carbons showed better capture capability in the range 40–80 mgCO 2 /gAC while KOH- samples had low CO 2 uptakes (< 20 mg/g). The research study presents findings on chemical activation procedures for date seeds synthesized adsorbents for carbon dioxide capture and its potential applications for solid sorbent systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of highly soluble date sugar powder from the nutritive date fruits will be a suitable and superior alternative to commercial refined sugar, providing sustainability in date palm cultivation. A good understanding of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of date fruits is imperative for this purpose. In this work, 11 different date fruit species commonly cultivated in the United Arab Emirates were studied for their chemical composition, physical properties, amino acids, minerals, and anti-nutritional contents. The results revealed that the date fruits contain moisture, protein, lipid, and ash content in the ranges of 14.8%–20.5%, 2.19%–3.12%, 0.25%–0.51%, and 1.37%–1.97%, respectively. Potassium was identified as the major microelement in all the date varieties. Amino acid assay depicted that the date fruits mainly contained glutamine and aspartic acids, along with other essential acids. Monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) were more prevalent in the date fruits than polysaccharides (sucrose), exhibiting the potential of date fruit for non-diabetic sugar production. Phytoconstituents present in date samples, such as flavonoids, oxalates, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and cyanides, were also evaluated and reported. Results showed that although all date fruit varieties were nutritious, they contain significant variation in their nutritional, physical, elemental, and phytochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]