Search

The perishable nature of agricultural products poses a significant challenge in the management of agricultural supply chains, necessitating the timely delivery of these products. The increasing global population has led to a greater demand for food supplies, prompting the need for sustainable supply chains that take into account environmental concerns and social responsibility. By examining various strategies, such as cooperation, the field of agricultural supply chain management can experience growth. This study investigates a three-level agricultural supply chain model, comprising the farmer, third-party logistics (3PL), and two retailers (online and offline sellers). The 3PL plays a crucial role in this supply chain by ensuring the delivery of fresh produce to customers before the expiration date, as well as implementing environmentally friendly packaging practices. Additionally, the farmer contributes to charitable causes through cash donations. To explore the relationships among the members of the supply chain, two approaches, namely Stackelberg and Nash equilibrium games, are employed. Consequently, two distinct supply chain strategies are developed and compared. In the first scenario, the two retailers cooperate as a single entity, whereas in the second scenario, the retailers compete against each other with the Nash equilibrium utilized to analyze their interactions. In both scenarios, the farmer assumes the role of the Stackelberg game leader, while the retailers act as the first followers, and the 3PL functions as the second follower. The findings of the analysis indicate that cooperation between the two retailers results in higher profits for both parties and the entire supply chain, whereas the profit levels of the farmer and 3PL are comparatively lower in the first scenario. This model can be applied to other case studies that consider these two scenarios as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth regulators can improve the quality and production of fruit trees. This research was conducted over two successive years to evaluate the effect of preharvest sprays of growth regulators on the physicochemical properties of date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera cv. 'Shahabi') during khalal and tamar stages in a palm research station at Bushehr province. In the first year, fruit bunches of these trees were sprayed at the kimri stage, and in the second year at the kimri and hababouk + kimri stages, using NAA (100 mg/L), GA3 (100 mg/L), KI (100 mg/L), SA (50 mg/L), Put (1.288 × 103 mg/L), and distilled water as the control. Foliar spraying of 'Shahabi' date clusters with all plant growth regulators at the kimri stage did not have significant effects on traits such as length, diameter, weight and volume of the fruit compared to the control but, foliar spraying in the hababouk + kimri stage with NAA and to some extent Put caused a significant increase in these factors in the khalal and tamar stages. Foliar spraying with all growth regulators caused a significant increase in the weight of pulp in the khalal and tamar stages. With foliar application of Put, SA, GA3, and especially NAA, cluster weight and yield percent showed a significant increase compared to the control at the tamar stage. In general, the percentage of fruit drop in the foliar application of all growth regulators in the hababouk + kimri stage was significantly higher compared to the foliar application in the kimri stage. Foliar spraying in the kimri stage significantly reduced the fruit drop compared to the control but foliar application of NAA, GA3 and SA in the hababouk + kimri stage significantly increased the fruit drop compared to the control. Foliar spraying of all plant growth regulators in the kimri and hababouk + kimri stages caused a significant decrease in the percentage of TSS as well as the percentage of total carbohydrates compared to the control in the khalal and tamar stages. Foliar spraying with all plant growth regulators in the kimri and hababouk + kimri stages caused a significant increase in the TA percentage in khalal stage compared to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apples are considered one of the most extensively consumed fruits worldwide, prized for their superior nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and sensory characteristics. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and sensory characteristics of two apple varieties, Braeburn and Golden Delicious, based on different harvest dates and during a 15-day shelf life period, using multiple quality assessment perspectives. The first part focused on key textural attributes and their changes over time. Golden Delicious fruit exhibited fewer alterations in texture, with only firmness showing significant changes during shelf life. In contrast, Braeburn fruit experienced alterations in multiple textural parameters, including fracturability, springiness, average peak load, and firmness, indicating a higher sensitivity to shelf life effects. Both apple varieties were significantly influenced by the harvest date. From a Kano model perspective, the quality attributes of apples were categorized as one-dimensional and attractive features, while oral processing requirements fell into three distinct categories: attractive, reverse, and indifferent. For the Braeburn variety, firmness was the dominant sensory attribute at the start of the shelf life at each harvest date, decreasing gradually over time. In contrast, the Golden Delicious apple maintained dominance in both firmness and juiciness across all harvest dates and shelf life testing days. Emotional responses during mastication were similarly distributed for all three harvest dates for the Golden Delicious variety, highlighting the stability of sensory experiences for this variety. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of textural, sensory, and emotional responses to apple varieties, offering practical implications for apple breeding and post-harvest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One phenolic component that might actively contribute to plants' fading resistance mechanism is salicylic acid. This study used a randomized complete block design with six treatment concentrations of 0, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L salicylic acid at the start of the Kharak stage in three repetitions to examine the impact of salicylic acid injection on date bunch fading disorder on the Mazafati cultivar. The study was conducted in the Bam region. In this study, the disorder damage percentage, length, diameter and weight of fruit, fruit flesh-to-kernel ratio, yield, soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, total sugar content and protein percentage were investigated. Experimental date trees treated with 100 mg/L salicylic acid compared to other treatments showed an 18% reduction in the damage of date bunch fading disorder at the level of P<0.01 Duncan test. Also, application of 100 mg/L salicylic acid increased yield by 17 kg in each tree compared to control trees at the level of P<0.01 Duncan test. While certain salicylic acid treatments were successful in lowering date bunch fading disorder damage and boosting experimental date tree yields, they had no discernible impact on the physicochemical characteristics of the fruit. The only variable included in the model, disorder damage, accounted for 86% of the variances, according to stepwise regression analysis. The two variables with the strongest positive and significant correlations were fruit weight with flesh-to-kernel ratio (0.991**) and total sugar with pH (0.997**). Except for a drop in soluble solids, total sugar content, and fruit pH in comparison to the control, the findings of Duncan's test categorization indicated that salicylic acid injection raised them in all treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Tunisia, the date industry generates a large quantity of waste, raising environmental concerns. However, dates are rich in sugars, which offer a renewable source of nutrients for various applications. In this study, sugar extraction from two low-grade pitted date fruits (Alig and Kentichi) under ultrasound, was optimized using full factorial design. At 40 °C, for20 min, and with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 10 mL/g, the optimum sugar contents were 60.87% and 50.79% for the varieties Alig and Kentichi, respectively. The date extracts were chemically analyzed, revealing low fat and protein contents, but significant polyphenol and mineral contents in both varieties. HPLC-IR analysis revealed more inverted sugars (glucose and fructose) in the Alig variety and more sucrose in the Kentichi variety. FTIR and SEM analysis showed the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment of the biomass in terms of improving mass transfer diffusion through ultrasonic cavitation. Thus, ultrasound-assisted extraction constitutes an effective method for the recovery of sugar from date waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzyme activity of catechol oxidase (CO) give rise to enzymatic browning, leading to undesirable changes in fruits and vegetables. The aim of this work is to investigate the inhibitory effect of five essential oils (EOs) on CO from date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera). Catechol oxidase has been purified from date fruit through three-phase partitioning (TPP). Essential oils were extracts from Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia campestris, Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, and Salvia Rosmarinus, and were tested against CO. The composition of these five essential oils was then identified using GC-MS. Major constituents identified were camphor (20.91%) and davanone D (19%) for A. herba alba, capillene (47.79%) for A. compestris, thymol (33.75%) and linalool (30.44%) for T. vulgaris, carvacrol (68.60%) for O. vulgare, and camphor (33.89%) for S. Rosmarinus. The EO from A. campestris was the most potent inhibitor of enzyme (IC50 = 3.44±0.09 mg/mL) while the weakest effect was observed for EO of O. vulgare (IC50 = 10.24±0.29 mg/mL). Different mechanism of inhibition was obtained. Hence, a competitive inhibition for both EOs of A. herba-alba and T. vulgaris, uncompetitive behavior for A. campestris, noncompetitive mechanism for S. rosmarinus and O. vulgare were observed. The docking molecular of those major constituents was investigated using crystal structure of CO from Ipomoea batatas (1BT1). The best-docked compound was davanone D (-5.55 kcal/mol) while camphor show weaker docking scores (3.79 kcal/mol). Thus, the results from our work could be important and offer an approach of control enzymatic browning using essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dates are highly perishable fruits, and maintaining their quality during storage is essential for both commercial viability and consumer satisfaction. One effective strategy for preserving their nutritional and functional properties is through drying, which reduces moisture content and inhibits microbial growth while concentrating essential nutrients. This study compared the impact of three drying methods (sun drying, hot air oven drying, and cabinet drying) on the chemical, functional, and microbial properties of date flour. The flesh of two date varieties, Amber and Sukkari, was processed by washing, drying at 65°C, milling, and sieving to obtain fine flour, which was then subjected to analysis. Results: The results revealed that fat (5.35 ± 0.07%), protein (10.50 ± 0.00%), and crude fiber (8.57 ± 0.59%) contents were higher in hot‐air oven‐dried amber date fruit. Moisture (12.94 ± 0.63%), ash (2.37 ± 0.03%), and vitamin C (0.024 ± 0.00 mg/100 g) contents were reported to be higher in sun‐dried Sukkari date due to the slower drying process and exposure to lower drying temperatures during sun drying, which allows for minimal thermal degradation of heat‐sensitive compounds like vitamin C. Oven‐dried Amber date powder displayed greater water absorption (1.10 mL/g) and solubility (66.60%). In terms of microbial analysis, both hot air oven‐dried Amber and Sukkari dates had the lowest total viable count (1.19 × 105 and 9.45 × 104 CFU/mL, respectively). Conclusion: Hot air oven drying is a suitable method for drying date fruit as it results in the highest retention of protein, fiber, and ash content while also maintaining low moisture levels, reducing microbial growth, and improving shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmaceutical research sector's inability to develop new drugs has made it challenging to combat microbial resistance. Secondary metabolites from plant extracts have been identified as potential protective agents against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to analyze hydro-ethanol extracts' antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from various parts of the Zahidi date (whole fruit, pit powder, and flesh). Phytochemical screening of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were extracted at their maximum levels, 71.89 mg/100 g and 843.06 mg/100 g, respectively, using EoH 60%. The whole fruit had the highest concentration of flavonoid quercetin (0.83 μg/g) and phenolic compoundsinapic acid (20.03 μg/g) at the same concentration. The findings from the broth micro-dilution method showed that the whole fruit had the strongest antimicrobial effects at 60% EoHagainst Salmonella typhi (30 mg/ml), Helicobacter pylori (27 mg/ml), Escherichia coli (22 mg/ml), and Staphylococcus aureus (44 mg/ml). Zahidi whole fruit extracts showed higher antioxidant potential at EoH 60% using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging potential (78%) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a significant negative correlation between antioxidant activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Evidence from this study highlights the considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Zahidi date fruit, suggesting its potential use in producing natural drugs and value-added foods to counteract contagious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing ant abundance associated with climate warming has been observed in temperate ecosystems. However, how enhanced ant activity affects plant development and phenology remains unclear.In this study, individuals of a perennial forb (Potentilla tanacetifolia) during flowering with and without an ant (Proformica) nest were marked to explore the impacts of ant nests on plant growth and phenology in a temperate steppe on the Mongolian Plateau.Ant nests delayed the start and end flowering dates simultaneously and, consequently, had no effect on flowering duration. However, presence of an ant nest postponed the fruiting date of individuals. Nests further increased numbers of aborted flowers and thus decreased fruit set. These observations suggest that the delayed flowering phenology disrupted synchrony between plant reproduction and pollinators and thus reduced pollination efficiency under ant nests.Given the increasing abundance of ants with rising temperatures under climate warming, plant delayed reproductive phenology and reduced reproductive output will potentially have negative consequences for plant fitness and plant–arthropod interactions, with consequent impacts on resistance and resilience of perennial species in temperate steppes under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dates are naturally occurring sweetener that are rich in phytonutrients which could be used as a substitute to refined white sugars in manufacturing of functional foods. Fruit toffees contain refined sugars which could be harmful to human wellbeing. This study aimed to formulate a functional mixed fruit toffee by replacing refined sugars with date paste (0 to 100% levels) in conventional fruit toffee consisting guava as base material. Increasing the date paste concentration (0 to 100%), led to a noticeable (p < 0.05) drop in hardness (20.60 to 12.29 N) while an increase in moisture content (10.00 to 14.64%) and water activity (0.65 to 0.77) was observed. Compared to control (100% refined sugar), date paste addition increased crude fiber and protein content by 58.4 and 281.4% with higher macro (88.25 to 329.44 mg/100 g potassium, 79.60 to 91.83 mg/100 g calcium, 18.81 to 50.49 mg/100 g phosphorus) and micro (4.23 to 8.55 mg/100 g iron and 3.00 to 4.25 mg/100 g zinc) minerals, phytochemical constituents (96.67 to 132.90 mg GAE/ 100 g phenolics, 71.18 to 103.28 mg QE/100 g flavonoids and 124.74 to 197.41 µg/100 g carotenoids) and antioxidant activity (37.69 to 50.67%). Based on sensory characteristics, toffees prepared by replacing sugar with 50% date paste were selected for storage studies and were found to be shelf stable for 3 months with satisfactory microbial and organoleptic quality. The study concluded that date paste may be used as a more nutritive alternative to refined sugar for development of phytonutrients rich sweet meal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are commonly found in the environment due to human activities like industrialization and development. These metals are toxic and often contaminate water, food, and edible plants, leading to human exposure. This study investigates Cd and Pb levels in 68 date samples from supermarkets across various regions of Sindh, Pakistan, including 30 samples provided by companies that export date palm fruits globally. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with conventional wet acid digestion (CAD) was used for metal determination. Optimization was carried out by Plackett–Burman design (PBD), central composite design (CCD), and response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicated that Cd levels in export samples ranged from 0.012 ± 0.001 to 0.061 ± 0.004, with an average value of 0.031 ± 0.002 mg/kg. Lead levels in these samples varied from 0.028 ± 0.001 to 0.079 ± 0.03, averaging 0.055 ± 0.004 mg/kg. These levels were within the safety limits. However, local market samples exhibited slightly higher Pb levels, ranging from 0.15 ± 0.01 to 0.32 ± 0.03, with an average of 0.26 ± 0.02 mg/kg, exceeding the recommended safety limits. In contrast, the Cd content in local market samples ranged from 0.12 ± 0.01 to 0.16 ± 0.02 mg/kg, remaining below the WHO/FAO. These contaminants may originate from cultivation, water, air, transportation, processing, and so forth. The method was validated by standard addition recovery test, triplicate analysis, procedure blanks, and standard reference material (SRM). The average daily intake (ADI) values for TMs, along with the hazard index (HI) and target hazard quotients (THQs) were calculated to assess potential health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to investigate the effects of date fruit products on childbirth and pregnancyrelated complications. MeSH keywords were systematically searched in scientific databases, and 16 articles were reviewed. It was found that consuming 7 date fruits (average of 80 g) per day for 2-4 weeks before the estimated date of delivery leads to a better cervical dilatation at admission or improvement of Bishop score, a decrease in the need for induction or stimulation of labour and an increase in effective uterine contractions, which, in turn, decreases the duration of pregnancy and the different stages of labour. Additionally, date fruit products can improve blood pressure parameters in pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia and accelerate episiotomy healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The threat of immune escape and the discovery of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as the failure of certain conventional drugs that are already in use for the symptomatic treatment of diseases, have prompted a re-evaluation of ancient therapeutic remedies such as phytotherapy, and aromatherapy. In this context, the present study aims to shed light on some medicinal plants mostly used by the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region to strengthen their immune systems, and to provide an up-to-date literature review on this subject. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted using pre-prepared questionnaires addressed to the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region. MS Windows Excel and SPSS software were used for statistical analysis and results presentation. In addition, for the literature review, searches were conducted across several databases, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using medicinal plants, date products, enhance immunity, and essential oils as keywords. Results: Among 142 participants interviewed, 108 used medicinal plants to improve their immune systems. However, 34 interviewers prefer conventional medicine. Date palm fruits and oregano were the most commonly used medicinal plants by the Daraa Tafilalet population to enhance the immune system, followed by anise, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and pennyroyal. These results are supported by literature data. Conclusion: These results reflect the interesting traditional medical knowledge of this population, which merits being documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is recognized as one of humanity's earliest cultivated plants, having served as a food source for over 6000 years. It holds a prominent status as the most favoured fruit in the Middle East and North Africa. Date fruit has a long history of consumption and traditional medicinal use. Whether eaten fresh or dried, dates offer a rich source of energy due to their exceptional nutritional content and extended shelf life. They provide an economical means of obtaining essential nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Furthermore, date fruit exhibits a diverse range of pharmacological effects including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic and many more. It is also beneficial in disorders of paralysis, sexual debility, fever etc. Date palm fruits offer a natural and safe alternative or complement to synthetic drugs in managing numerous health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dates maintain prime importance as sources of income and as symbols of cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia. Ephestia cautella (Walker) is one of the most important insects that attack stored dates. In an effort to safeguard small-scale producers, temperatures of 5 °C (representing typical house refrigerator temperatures), − 14 °C (representing in-house freezer temperatures), and − 25 °C (representing temperatures in small factory freezers) were applied to samples of dates previously infested with E. cautella larvae. Exposure periods of 1, 12, 48, 120, and 240 h were considered to assess the effectiveness of freezing temperatures against stored product insect pests. The temperature of − 25 °C proved to be the most effective, resulting in 100% mortality across all stages after just 1 h of exposure. At 5 °C, the pupal stage exhibited the highest tolerance, with only a mean mortality of 11% after 240 h of exposure. Conversely, at the same temperature, mean mortalities of 89% and 97% were recorded for eggs and larvae, respectively. However, when larvae were placed inside the dates, the mean mortality was only 65% after 240 h at 5 °C, complete larval mortality was achieved in 12 h at − 14 °C and 1 h at − 25 °C. This information can guide strategies for managing E. cautella in storage facilities with limited available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruit of the date tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is increasingly recognized for its nutritional and functional value. This exotic fruit shows variable composition, influenced by factors such as variety, ripening stage, and climatic conditions. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional profile and the bioactive components, including phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides, in different varieties of dates from Saudi Arabia collected at the Tamr ripening stage. The HPLC-ESI-MS analysis identified a total of 15 phenolic compounds, principally phenolic acids and flavonoids. Among the varieties tested, Safawi exhibited the highest phenolic concentration (1132 µg/100 g dw). To the best of our knowledge, the oligosaccharide composition is described for the first time among different varieties, with Sukari showing the highest concentration (3.37 g/100 g dw). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays) was assessed following a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up to remove interferents, especially sugars. These results provide valuable insights into the health-promoting properties of date fruit as a functional food and provide a foundation for further research into their industrial applications as functional ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date pomace (DP), the primary source of the solid wastes generated from date processing industry, characterized by high sugar concentration and elevated moisture content, it constitutes about 30% of the weight of the processed dates. In addition to the safe disposal, incorporating DP in the medium for bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) production as nutrient source can significantly reduce the production cost. This study aims to investigate the influence of the operational conditions namely the initial pH, incubation temperature, and DP juice ratio in the medium on the yield, water holding capacity, moisture content and morphology of the produced BNC. samples with constant initial pH, and fixed juice ratio were incubated at different temperatures. To explore the optimal initial pH value samples with fixed juice ratio were incubated at 30 °C. Samples with different juic ratio and fixed initial pH value were incubated at 30 °C. The structure and morphology of the produced BNC were tested using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The Maximum BNC wet and dry yields of 31.6 g/L and 0.62 g/L were achieved at an initial pH of 6, an incubation temperature of 30 °C, and a juice ratio in the medium of 10%, respectively. The results FESEM revealed that doubling the DP juice ratio in the culture medium increased the porosity and regularity of the porous structure of the produced BNC. Increasing juice ratio in the medium decreased the yield, water holding capacity and moisture content of the produced BNC. Since oxygen is developed throughout the fermentation process and different types of sugars are produced from the degradation of starch elements in DP, it was difficult to establish a correlation between the sugar and oxygen consumption and the resultant BNC yield. The findings validated the feasibility of employing DP juice as a substrate for the manufacture of nanocellulose material with the added benefit of mitigating environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research is the property of Arabian Gulf University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The production of date paste from second-grade date fruits is a fast-growing industrial activity which promotes more sustainable food systems. The industrial date paste process is mainly dependent on the thermal treatments of hydration and drying that precede flesh crushing. These thermal treatments are commonly performed industrially using steam hydration instead of water soaking and convective hot air drying, which are known to be energy-intensive operations leading to high greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this work was to optimize, on the one hand, the operations of hydration and drying of dates at an industrial scale using a response surface Box–Behnken experimental design in order to reduce the energy consumption and, on the other hand, to assess the biochemical and microstructural properties of date paste produced under optimized conditions. Optimization was performed based on the measurements of sensory attributes, instrumental texture firmness, moisture content, water activity (aw), and color parameters (L*, a*, b*), as well as on the energy savings related to the factors of hydration duration and temperature and time of drying. The optimal conditions to ensure the highest quality of the final product and the lowest energy consumption were 9.6 min of hydration at 80 °C and 3 h of drying at 52.28 °C. The biochemical analysis of the date paste produced under the optimized process showed that it is rich in dietary fibers (9.80 ± 2.10%) and total phenols (261 ± 6.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g of extract). Furthermore, the studied sample exhibited a higher antioxidant potential than the raw date material as a result of the heat-inhibitory effect of oxidases. The obtained results suggest that date paste presents a good source of natural bioactive molecules and could potentially be considered as a functional food ingredient. SEM analysis showed that the microstructural properties of date paste produced under optimal conditions may promote its quality preservation during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its nutritional value and health benefits, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an essential dietary food crop throughout Middle Eastern and African countries. Consumers are concerned about the possible microbial contamination of dates, especially since most dates arriving in local markets are unprocessed. The absence of processing increases the possibility of microbial contamination, which raises the probability of microbial contamination. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the variability of fungal and bacterial microbiota identified in the most popular date palm fruits in Saudi Arabia. The study assessed ten date variety fruits from the most popular date palm varieties for consumption in Saudi Arabia and analyzed the microbial count. Morphological and molecular characterization and comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences identified 78 fungi, including 36 distinct species across 15 fungal genera. Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvilaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera among the ten fruit cultivars studied, according to ITS-rDNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, 36 bacterial isolates were obtained from ten date varieties studied, each with a unique colony morphology. These isolates were identified based on sequence alignment and comparison of their 16S rDNA internal spacer regions to those available in public databases. The results showed that the bacterial isolates included 15 species from five bacterial genera. The results suggested that Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Brucella were the prevailing genera among the ten tested fruit varieties. Some bacterial genera, such as Brucella, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, are well-known potential human pathogens. Chaetomium globosum was also recognized as air pollution causing adverse health effects such as allergies and as the causal agent of human fungal infections among the tested date varieties; the Rashodiah type exhibited the highest fungal contamination, whereas the Sagai variety displayed the lowest fungal contamination. Conversely, the Sukkari, Barhi, and Mejdool varieties were the most contaminated with bacteria among the ten tested varieties, while the Khalas variety showed the least bacterial contamination. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides the initial comprehensive account of the molecular and morphological identification of all fungal and bacterial genera associated with date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effects of five Iranian male palm pollen grains as pollen sources on the fruit quality of two cultivars, ‘Barhee’ and ‘Piyarom’ (offshoot-derived and tissue culture-derived). The biochemical and enzymatic properties of fruit dates at the Tamar stage (full maturity) enabled the evaluation of pollen source effects on fruit quality. The research location was Jahrom Research Station, Fars Province, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. The pollen sources were genotypes ‘7001’ (control), ‘7005’, ‘7013’, ‘7030’, and ‘B11’. Pollinated with 7013 pollen, Offshoot-erived (OFS) trees of the ‘Barhee’ cultivar had the highest fruit flesh pH (7.07). In contrast, the lowest pH value (5.84) occurred in fruits of Tissue Culture-Derived (TCD) trees of the ‘Piyarom’ pollinated with the 7030. In the OFS ‘Piyarom’ the pollen source 7001 caused the highest fruit TSS (68.83%). When pollinated with the B11, ‘Barhee’ had the lowest fruit TSS (44.90%). In TCD ‘Piyarom’ trees, the 7030 pollen caused the highest TSS (62.53%). By receiving pollen from B11, the ‘Barhee’ produced fruits with the lowest TSS (44.23%). Regardless of being OFS or TCD and of the pollen source, on average, ‘Barhee’ produced fruits with more moisture content than fruits of the ‘Piyarom’. In OFS ‘Piyarom’ trees, pollen from the 7030 caused the highest Fruit Dry Matter (FDM) (87.40%), whereas the ‘Barhee’ pollinated with the 7001 produced fruits with the lowest FDM (67.15%). In TCD ‘Piyarom’ palms, pollen from the 7030 caused the highest FDM (85.19%), compared to the ‘Barhee’ pollinated with the 7013, which showed the lowest FDM (67.87%). Pollen from the 7030 caused the highest total sugar content in the fruits of OFS and TCD ‘Piyarom’ trees. The fruits of OFS ‘Piyarom’ trees had more Fe and Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) activity than TCD ‘Piyarom’ trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs) are suggested to be important calcium-conducting channels and are involved in various biological functions such as plant development, phytohormone responses, and plant--pathogen interactions. Nevertheless, CNGC gene family identification has not yet been conducted for date palm crops. In this study, genome-wide identification and pharmacological analysis of date CNGCs were conducted against fungal pathogens including Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. Twentysix PdCNGC genes were identified using extensive bioinformatics tools. Gene Ontology analysis revealed the signal transduction, transmembrane transport, and ion-binding proteins to be the major regulators in the biological processes and molecular functions of PdCNGCs. Protein--protein interactions of PdCNGCs and their patterns confirmed an integrated role that may be related to nitric oxide and calcium ion-mediated signal transduction and plant--pathogen interactions. Extensive phylogenetic analysis provided clear evidence that group IV had ancient origins. This was supported by the fact that the entire sets of CNGCs from both nonvascular plants (moss) and vascular nonflowering plants (Selaginella) were clustered together with groups IVa and IVb, emphasizing the evolutionary antiquity of this group. Furthermore, a pharmacological assay suggested that the application of cGMP and cAMP as CNGC activators may enhance susceptibility against Aspergillus spp. in the leaves and stems of date palm, respectively. Treatment with LaCl3 as a calcium channel blocker reduced the resistance of date fruit to Fusarium spp. These results suggest a valuable role for CNGC and calcium ions, which may be negatively regulated in date palm against fungal pathogens. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further functional analysis of date palm CNGCs and their molecular mechanisms in the context of pharmacological assessments of plant disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appraised for being one of the oldest staple nutritive foods mainly in the Arabian Peninsula, the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.), is a crop native to the subtropical and tropical regions of Southern Asia and Africa. Different parts of the date tree have been extensively studied for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. Despite an array of publications on the date tree, there has been no attempt to compile in a single study the traditional uses, nutritive value, phytochemical profile, the medicinal properties as well as the potential of the different plant parts as a functional food. Therefore, this review endeavors to systematically review the scientific literature to highlight the traditional uses of date fruit and parts around the world, the nutritional profile of several parts and the medicinal properties. A total of 215 studies was retrieved (traditional uses (n = 26), nutritional (n = 52), and medicinal (n = 84)). Scientific articles were further categorized as in vitro (n = 33), in vivo (n = 35), and clinical (n = 16) evidences. Date seeds were found to be effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Aqueous date pollen was used to manage hormonal problems and boost fertility. Palm leaves showed anti-hyperglycemic effects via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Unlike previous studies, this study highlighted the functional roles of all the plant parts of the palm tree and provided insights into the various mechanism of action of their bioactive compounds. Although scientific shreds of evidence have been growing over the years, there is still a dearth of studies concerning the clinical validation of the date fruit and other plant parts to provide strong evidence on their medicinal uses. In conclusion, P. dactylifera can be regarded as a potent medicinal plant with prophylactic potential and should be further explored to alleviate the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moroccan oases host a rich array of date palm varieties, renowned for the traditional expertise in crafting local products from dates. Date juice, a quintessential local product with significant heritage value, is facing a decline in appreciation. This study delves into indigenous knowledge surrounding date juice processing. Surveys involving one hundred women from the Alnif and Tata oases in Morocco's pre-Saharan regions were conducted. Results reveal the use of 56 medicinal and aromatic plants from 33 families and 53 genera in date juice preparation, with Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families most prevalent. Noteworthy species include Corrigiola telephiifolia Pourr. (85 citations), Cynara humilis L. (66), Cyperus longus L. (65), and Alpinia officinarum Hance (64). Date juice holds significance in traditional medicine, prized for its sensory qualities and therapeutic benefits resulting from blending date fruit with aromatic and medicinal plants. The study sheds light on traditional manufacturing processes, including palm variety selection and plant choices. It also offers insights into therapeutic applications aligning with medicinal practices. These findings enrich understanding of cultural traditions and provide essential information for their preservation and propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated nutritional properties and sensory attributes of formulated, ready-to-use maize-based complementary foods. The study adopted experimental research design. Three composite flour samples with the ratios of 8:4:2 1:5, 9:5:1:4 and 10:51:1:4 of maize soybean, yeast, moringa seed and date fruit (sample 1, sample 2 and sample 3) respectively were formulated and subjected to nutrients analysis using standard procedures. Twenty-member panel of judges was employed to determine the organoleptic attributes, using a 9-point hedonic scale. Mean, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), Fishers Least Significant Difference (LSD) were used for data analysis. Results show that sample 1had highest ash (36.44±0.52g/100g),fat (15.45±0.27g/100g) and protein (3.52±0.44g/100g) content whereas the highest crude fibre (2.37±0.03g/100g),carbohydrate (44.18±0.03g/100g) and moisture (8.82±0.44g/100g) values were recorded in sample 3. Sample 1 had the highest concentration of all the vitamins analyzed with the exception of pro-vitamin A(beta-carotene) which was highest in sample 3 (0.018±0.0mg/100g). Result on mineral composition indicated that sample 1had the highest (p<0.05) zinc (3.37±0.14mg/100g), magnesium (383.05±10.07mg/100g and potassium (643.10±4.84mg/100g) whereas sample 3 recorded the highest (p<0.05) calcium (232.05±1.01mg/100g) and iron (10.15±0.15mg/100g) values. Sample one formulation yielded the most acceptable gruel (8.20±0.95a). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, several methods have emerged for compressing image classification models using CNNs, for example, by applying pruning to the convolutional layers of the network. Typically, each pruning method uses a type of pruning distribution that is not necessarily the most appropriate for a given classification problem. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology to select the best pruning policy (method + pruning distribution) for a specific classification problem and global pruning rate to obtain the best performance of the compressed model. This methodology was applied to several image datasets to show the influence not only of the method but also of the pruning distribution on the quality of the pruned model. It was shown that the selected pruning policy affects the performance of the pruned model to different extents, and that it depends on the classification problem to be addressed. For example, while for the Date Fruit Dataset, variations of more than 10% were obtained, for CIFAR10, variations were less than 5% for the same cases evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity and droughts are among the most challenging issues worldwide, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Saudi Arabia. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a major crop in Saudi Arabia, is being significantly affected by water scarcity, soil salinity, and desertification. Alternative water sources are needed to conserve freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a significant number of aquaculture farms that generate substantial amounts of wastewater, which can be utilized as an alternative source of irrigation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of aquaculture wastewater as an alternative irrigation source for date palm orchards. Aquaculture wastewater was collected from 12 different farms (Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions, Saudi Arabia) and its quality was analyzed. The impacts of aquaculture wastewater irrigation on soil quality, nutrient availability, nutrient status of date palm trees, and dates fruit quality were assessed in comparison to source water (freshwater) irrigation at Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions. The water quality analyses showed higher salinity (EC = 3.31 dSm−1) in farm Q3, while all other farms demonstrated no salinity, sodicity, or alkalinity hazards. Moreover, the aquaculture wastewater irrigation increased soil available P, K, NO3−–N, and NH4+–N by 49.31%, 21.11%, 33.62%, and 52.31%, respectively, compared to source water irrigation. On average, date palm fruit weight, length, and moisture contents increased by 26%, 23%, and 43% under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Further, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents in date palm leaf were increased by 19.35%, 34.17%, 37.36%, 38.24%, and 45.29%, respectively, under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Overall, aquaculture wastewater irrigation significantly enhanced date palm plant growth, date palm fruit quality, and soil available nutrients compared to freshwater irrigation. It was concluded that aquaculture wastewater can be used as an effective irrigation source for date palm farms as it enhances soil nutrient availability, date palm growth, and date fruit yield and quality. The findings of this study suggest that aquaculture wastewater could be a viable alternative for conserving freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on investigating sugar recovery from spoiled date fruits (SDF) for sustainable ethanol production using newly isolated yeasts. Upon their isolation from different food products, yeast strains were identified through PCR amplification of the D1/D2 region and subsequent comparison with the GenBank database, confirming isolates KKU30, KKU32, and KKU33 as Saccharomyces cerevisiae; KKU21 as Zygosaccharomyces rouxii; and KKU35m as Meyerozyma guilliermondii. Optimization of sugar extraction from SDF pulp employed response surface methodology (RSM), varying solid loading (20–40%), temperature (20–40 °C), and extraction time (10–30 min). Linear models for sugar concentration (R1) and extraction efficiency (R2) showed relatively high R2 values, indicating a good model fit. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of temperature and extraction time on extraction efficiency. The results of batch ethanol production from SDF extracts using mono-cultures indicated varying consumption rates of sugars, biomass production, and ethanol yields among strains. Notably, S. cerevisiae strains exhibited rapid sugar consumption and high ethanol productivity, outperforming Z. rouxii and M. guilliermondii, and they were selected for scaling up the process at fed-batch mode in a co-culture. Co-cultivation resulted in complete sugar consumption and higher ethanol yields compared to mono-cultures, whereas the ethanol titer reached 46.8 ± 0.2 g/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the potential of Ajwa date fruit extract as a bioactive component in cosmeceutical formulations, with particular emphasis on its anti-tyrosinase, anti-collagenase, and ultraviolet (UV) protection capabilities. The antioxidant activity was determined using the design of response surface methodology, considering the factor of sample-to-water-assolvent ratio, extraction time, and size of the sample. This factor possesses the capacity to exert an influence on the production of antioxidants and enhance the efficacy of the extraction procedure. The Ajwa date fruit extract was obtained using the Soxhlet method. The extract showed notable inhibition percentages of 67.77 and 49.12 for anti-tyrosinase and anti-collagenase activities, respectively. Additionally, it revealed a sun protection factor value of 17.09. Previous research has indicated that Ajwa dates exhibit significant inhibitory properties against tyrosinase and collagenase enzymes, making them potentially valuable in cosmetic applications. Therefore, research has demonstrated this study's promise in skin pigmentation, elasticity, and UV protection. The study places significant importance on exploring natural alternatives in cosmetics. It highlights the encouraging outcomes obtained from using Ajwa date fruit extract, emphasising its potential for future advancements in cosmeceuticals. The present study offers a valuable opportunity to produce skincare formulas that are both safer and more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm trees originate in many tropical regions of the world and produce dates. Each variety can be differentiated through the shape, texture, size, and colour of the fruits. People have difficulties visualising and recognising the types of date fruits because they have many varieties and species. An Androidbased mobile application is being proposed to help users quickly identify the dates based on their images and expand their knowledge of dates. The date fruit species classification mobile application categorises nine different varieties of date fruits, namely Ajwa, Medjool, Rutab, Nabtat Ali, Meneifi, Galaxy, Sugaey, Shaishe, and Sokari. The classification, which is based on a transfer learning technique from a pre-trained neural network, achieved a 94.2% accuracy rate. The mobile application features a user-friendly graphical interface that makes it easy to use and understand. Users can learn about different date fruit varieties and improve knowledge retention through a mini game. The application’s usability, usefulness, and interface design were confirmed through the user acceptance survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces the Special Issue on horticulture, which explores how genetic and environmental factors influence small fruit production and quality amid rapid changes in the industry. Topics include the impact of new technologies such as genome sequencing and automation on horticulture, the effects of genetic and environmental conditions on berry quality, and the role of soil management practices and advanced measurement tools in optimizing fruit production.

In this study, five Algerian date cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were investigated for their antioxidant contents, phenolic profiles, and some pharmacological properties (anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant activities). The results showed that the Tanslit cultivar was the most concentrated in total phenolic compounds and flavonoids with 433.03±0.47 96 mg QE/100g DM and 102.5±3.96 mg QE/100g DM, respectively. The Tamdjohert cultivar was the richest on anthocyanins (9.83±0.07mg CE/100g DM). HPLC analysis indicated that the Tamdjohert cultivar contained a high flavonoids concentration (8.22 ± 0.53mg/100g DM), and the Takarmoust cultivar displayed the highest concentration of phenolic acids (15.64±0.41mg/100g DM). The results indicated that the Litim cultivar exhibited strong hydroxyl radical inhibition (134.95±18.07mg GAE/100g DM), and also potently inhibited a-amylase activity (35.19±4.98%). The Tamdjohert cultivar exerted the highest reduction of inflammatory mediators (255.87±18.47mg GAE/100g DM). This study demonstrated that date fruit was a good source of bioactive compounds with important pharmacological properties and can be considered as functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As agricultural technology continues to develop, the scale of planting and production of date fruit is increasing, which brings higher yields. However, the increasing yields also put a lot of pressure on the classification step afterward. Image recognition based on deep learning algorithms can help to identify and classify the date fruit species, even in natural light. Method: In this paper, a deep fusion model based on whale optimization and an artificial neural network for Arabian date classification is proposed. The dataset used in this study includes five classes of date fruit images (Barhi, Khalas, Meneifi, Naboot Saif, Sullaj). The process of designing each model can be divided into three phases. The first phase is feature extraction. The second phase is feature selection. The third phase is the training and testing phase. Finally, the best-performing model was selected and compared with the currently established models (Alexnet, Squeezenet, Googlenet, Resnet50). Results: The experimental results show that, after trying different combinations of optimization algorithms and classifiers, the highest test accuracy achieved by DeepDate was 95.9%. It takes less time to achieve a balance between classification accuracy and time consumption. In addition, the performance of DeepDate is better than that of many deep transfer learning models such as Alexnet, Squeezenet, Googlenet, VGG-19, NasNet, and Inception-V3. Conclusion: The proposed DeepDate improves the accuracy and efficiency of classifying date fruits and achieves better results in classification metrics such as accuracy and F1. DeepDate provides a promising classification solution for date fruit classification with higher accuracy. To further advance the industry, it is recommended that stakeholders invest in technology transfer programs to bring advanced image recognition and AI tools to smaller producers, enhancing sustainability and productivity across the sector. Collaborations between agricultural technologists and growers could also foster more tailored solutions that address specific regional challenges in date fruit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Constantly eaten foods (such as fruits, vegetables, cereal, etc.) that contain excessive concentrations of heavy metals pose a major risk to human health and deplete the food supply. The amounts of heavy metals in different date varietiies were measured after they were collected from three wholesale markets in the major cities of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Medina. In order to look at the health risks associated with heavy metal consumption after intake of dates, the Average Daily Intake (ADI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) were also calculated. Results: Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) levels were evaluated. Several analyses of date fruit exhibited levels of Pb and Cd in different date varieties that beyond the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL). In the majority of the samples, ADI was below the upper authorized tolerated daily consumption. The likelihood of a health risk from the regular eating of the investigated date fruits is revealed by the hazardous indexes of samples taken from New Market and Badamtali that surpassed unit value as a result of excessive air pollution brought on by greater industrial and vehicle traffic. According to the study, the majority of the analyzed heavy metals were identified in date samples and those from later samples at levels that were less harmful than the maximum acceptable threshold (MAL). Conclusions: Some samples included higher levels of Pb and Cd. As a result, eating dates that contain more metal has a higher chance of harming your health. Additionally, it has been recommended that regular testing for heavy metals in date fruits may be useful in preventing health risks associated with eating fruits that are contaminated with heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search is on for safer alternatives to fumigants like methyl bromide and phosphine, which harm the ozone layer and pose other risks. Ethyl formate is a promising candidate due to its potential antimicrobial and insecticidal action in stored products like date fruits. The susceptibility of date fruits to microbial spoilage is significantly influenced by factors such as moisture content, storage practices, and environmental conditions. In the present study, the in vitro antimicrobial effect of ethyl formate against three microbial species, namely Aspergillus niger F4, Mucor circinelloides YMM22, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa B1 was tested under laboratory conditions. In addition, two common date fruit varieties, semi-dry El-Wady I and the dry Frehi, were fumigated with ethyl formate alone in a laboratory-scale prototype and with a mixture of ethyl formate and CO2 at a semi-industrial scale prototype. Both varieties had an initial moisture content of around 13.40 and 12.48% for El-Wady I and Frehi, respectively. The fumigation was conducted using the optimal concentration of 70 mg/L air for 24 h incubation period. Fumigation with ethyl formate alone or in combination with CO2 significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria and fungi (CFU/g), but the potential for a combined effect with CO2 was not investigated. The percentages of reduction in the fungal count were 78.18 and 90.76% for Frehi and El-Wady I varieties, respectively in a semi-industrial scale prototype. Moreover, the percentages of reduction in the bacterial count were 53.31 and 65.20%, respectively for Frehi and El-Wady I varieties. Ethyl formate showed promise as a natural alternative to control microbial contamination of stored date fruits. Further research suggests that increasing fumigation duration or concentration could provide comprehensive control of microbial pathogens at all stages of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effective and innovative freshly produced preservation methods are paramount for ensuring safe and sustainable food. Edible coatings for fresh dates can provide an additional protective layer to enhance their shelf life and extend marketability. However, the optimum coating requires a high uniformity of coating layer on the fruit. The ultrasonic coating can achieve a more uniform and consistent coating on the fruit surface. Therefore, this study aimed to design, evaluate, and optimize the process parameters of an innovative ultrasonic coating system (UCS) to enhance the shelf life and quality of fresh date palm fruit utilizing gum Arabic as an edible coating. The response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted using DesignExpert software Version 13. The central composite design was employed to determine the influence of eight independent variables, namely, coating time, air flow rate, liquid height above the ultrasonic transducers, liquid temperature, edible gum Arabic concentration, drying time for coated fruit, drying temperature, and storage temperature on the responses which were fruit shelf life, ripe fruit percentage, color changes, and weight loss. The optimization was conducted to determine the optimal solutions for enhancing fruit shelf life and quality. The optimal optimization outcome with the desirability of 0.90 demonstrated that coating fresh date palm fruits with a gum Arabic concentration of 9.58% at an air flow rate of 1.95 m/s, a height of liquid above the ultrasonic transducer of 0.62 cm, a liquid temperature of 40°C, a drying time of 7.4 min, a drying temperature of 30°C, and a storage temperature of 5°C resulted in extending the shelf life of the stored fruits to 65 days with 3.47 ripening percentage, 7.39 color change, and 4.22% fruit weight loss. The validation experiment conducted at the same independent variable levels indicated that the fruit shelf life extended to 60.2 ± 0.5 days, accompanied by a ripening percentage of 3.4 ± 0.4%, a color change of 10.3 ± 0.9, and a fruit weight loss of 5.4 ± 0.9%. The solutions were validated through rigorous experiments on fresh date palm fruit at the Khalal stage. The findings showed a positive response for fruit shelf life with a slight decrease in the percentage of fruit ripe, color change, and weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overproducing date fruit with limited industrial utilization leads to significant waste and losses, especially in the early stage of date maturity known as bisr. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of bisr date powder (BDP) at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) as a natural sweetener instead of sugar and barley flour as a source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals instead of wheat flour (50%) in biscuit production over storage periods of 7, 14, and 21 days. The analysis revealed that the bisr Al-Khalas powder sample had a moisture content of 11.84%, ash content of 2.30%, and crude fiber content of 10.20%. Additionally, it had a low protein (2.50%) and fat (0.77%) content, with total carbohydrates at 82.59%. The gradual substitution of bisr Al-Khalas in biscuit production resulted in an increased moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, and iron content, as well as a decrease in total carbohydrate percentage. A chemical analysis of bisr Al-Khalas powder demonstrated high levels of antioxidants, with 248.49 mg gallic acid/g of phenolic compounds, 31.03 mg quercetin/g of flavonoids, and an antioxidant activity ranging from 42.30%, as shown by the DPPH test. The peroxide content was 0.009 mg equivalent/kg. Biscuit samples with different proportions of bisr Al-Khalas showed an improved resistance to oxidation compared to samples without bisr Al-Khalas, with increased resistance as the percentage of replacement increased during storage. Physical properties such as the diameter, height, and spread percentage, as well as organoleptic properties like color, flavor, aroma, and taste, were significantly enhanced with higher levels of bisr Al-Khalas in the mixture. Biscuit samples fortified with 100% pure bisr Al-Khalas powder were found to be less acceptable, while samples with a 25% substitution did not negatively impact sensory properties. In addition, acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were not detected in bisr powder and biscuit samples prepared at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%). In conclusion, the study suggests that bisr Al-Khalas powder, an underutilized waste product, has the potential to add value to commercial biscuit production due to its high nutritional value and extended storage period resulting from its potent antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among insect pests infesting stored dates, Plodia interpunctella Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is highly destructive in packinghouses or storages, leading to substantial losses. This study assessed the nutritional performances, digestive enzymes activity, and energy reserves of P. interpunctella larvae fed on various date fruits, including Dayri, Estemaran, Fersi, Halavi, and Zahedi varieties. Additionally, date fruits were analyzed to ascertain their secondary metabolite contents. Food digestibility (AD) showed a negative correlation with the efficiency of conversion of ingested (ECI) and digested food (ECD). Conversely, positive correlations were identified between food digestibility and relative growth (RGR), consumption rate (RCR), food consumed, and larval and pupal weight. The lowest RGR and RCR values were noted in P. interpunctella larvae fed on Estemaran and Fersi varieties, indicating the reduced suitability of these host plants for larval development. According to our findings, larvae fed on the Zahedi variety exhibited the highest larval, frass, and pupal weight, as well as food consumption. The lowest amylolytic and proteolytic activity was observed in P. interpunctella larvae fed on the Estemaran variety. Amylolytic activity in P. interpunctella showed a positive correlation with protein and glycogen contents, while a significant positive correlation was found between proteolytic activity and larval protein content. The low protein content in larvae fed on the Estemaran variety suggests its unsuitability for P. interpunctella feeding and growth. Conversely, the Dayri variety had the lowest phenolic content, indicating its suitability for larval development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dates are high nutritional value fruits. They are the basis of many traditional products and compose several oases by-products. Among these products, date paste represents a form of conservation widely practiced in Algeria to valorize common date's surplus production for commercial purposes. Methods: First, microbiological analysis was carried out to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from date's paste and microbial contaminants from both date fruit by-products according to standard microbiological methods before investigating the technological characteristics attributed to the isolated LAB. Second, the antimicrobial effect was evaluated through three different techniques. Result: Nine microbial contaminants were isolated from date paste and date extract, while eight LAB strains were isolated from date paste, which belong to the Streptococci and Leuconostoc strains. The SLM1 strain revealed a good acidifying power going up to 5.13 g/L of lactic acid within 6 hours of incubation compared to the other LAB strains. A moderate to strong antibacterial effect ranging up to a 20 mm zone of inhibition was revealed against bacterial contaminants. In decreasing order, the antifungal effect was significant against Penicillium sp, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. The isolated lactic strains of streptococci could be good candidates for food preservation by extending the shelf life of foods and improving their nutraceutical and hygienic quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit and seed of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) have primary and special metabolites which result in therapeutic effects in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, liver diseases and cancer. Date seeds have fatty acids and can be used in food, cosmetic health and pharmaceutical industries. Considering the effect of the cultivar on the type and contents of biochemical compounds, seeds of 7 date cultivars ('Ashrasi', 'Barhi', 'Bream', 'Khastawi', 'Khyara', 'Mekawi' and 'Zahdi') originated from Iraq, were investigated in terms of the amount and type of fatty acids and mineral nutrients. The seed percentage was different from 4% in 'Barhi' to 6.3% in 'Khyara'. The type and amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were affected by the cultivar. The highest amount of saturated fatty acids, capric acid (0.34%) and lauric acid (26.06%), was observed in 'Mekawi' and the highest caprylic acid (0.35%) content was observed in 'Barhi'. The highest content of myristic acid (12.60%) and margaric acid (0.28%) was observed in 'Khastawi' and the highest content of palmitic acid (11.99%) and stearic acid (3.76%) was observed in 'Zahdi'. The type of cultivar had no effect on the oleic acid content, while the content of linoleic acid in 'Khastawi' was significantly higher than 'Zahdi'. The content of mineral elements was also affected by the type of cultivar. The highest phosphorus content is in 'Khyara' (0.35%) and 'Bream' (0.32%), the highest amount of potassium is in 'Mekawi' (0.44%) and 'Khastawi' (0.43), the highest calcium content was observed in 'Khastawi' (403 mg/kg) and the highest content of iron was observed in 'Ashrasi' (21.4 mg/kg) cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture results, bioactive compounds, phenolic and mineral amounts of date fruits showed significant changes depending on package types, storage temperatures and fruit types. The moisture content of date fruits stored at -18 °C was higher than that of date fruits stored at other temperatures (5 and 25 °C). The highest moisture loss in date fruits was observed in fruits stored at 25 °C. The storage temperature with the highest total phenol amounts of the Khalas, Ruzeiz and Sukkari date cultivars was at 25 °C, followed by 5 °C and − 18 °C in decreasing order. The storage temperature and packaging types with the highest total flavonoid content of the "Ruzeiz" date variety were "open cardboard" and "sealed in plastic bag and stored in closed cardboard" at 25 °C. In general, the highest phenolic compounds were detected in "Khalas" date variety, followed by "Ruzeiz" and "Sukkari" varieties in decreasing order. While the most abundant macro element in date varieties was K, followed by P, Mg and Ca, the most abundant micro elements were Fe, and followed by Mn, Zn, B and Cu in decreasing order. The P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and B results of the "Khalas" date variety stored at 25 °C were higher than those of the "Khalas" date fruits stored at other temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As known, dates are packed with antioxidants and bioactive compounds and provide various health benefits, as evidenced by their varying nitrite levels. Algerian dates, on the other hand, have not been thoroughly investigated for their bioactive compounds and overall antioxidant capacity. This research aims to tap into this potential by meticulously measuring total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins in three popular Algerian varieties (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Ksiba, Hamraya, and Deglet Nour, and the determination of their antioxidant activity using (scavenging assays of 2,2- diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. The analysis showed that the three varieties of date fruits are rich in total phenolics with an amount ranging between 71±51 and 7975±389 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE).100 g-1 of dry weight (DW), the flavonoid amount ranged from 31±3 to 767±4 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) 100 g-1 DW and condensed tannins between 6± 2 and 653 ±64 mg of catechin equivalent (CE) 100 g-1 dry DW. The antiradical activity was quite promising and ranged between 0.5 and 24 µg AAE mg-1 extract for DPPH and between 2 and 113 µg AAE mg-1 extract for ABTS, while the reducing power and total antioxidant capacity values ranged from 16 to 154 μg ascorbic acid (AAE) mg-1 and 39 to 68 μg AAE mg-1 extract respectively. The results of this study show that Algerian date fruit can be regarded as a potential natural source of antioxidants, with ethyl acetate serving as the best extractant solvent, resulting in higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit samples belonging to the 'Mejhoul' and 'Boufeggous' cultivars were harvested at the Tamar stage and used in our experiments. Before scanning, date samples were dried using convective drying at 60 °C and infrared drying at 60 °C with a frequency of 50 Hz, and then they were scanned. The scanning trials were performed for two hundred date palm fruit in fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried forms of each cultivar using a flatbed scanner. The image-texture parameters of date fruit were extracted from images converted to individual color channels in RGB, Lab, XYZ, and UVS color models. The models to classify fresh and dried samples were developed based on selected image textures using machine learning algorithms belonging to the groups of Bayes, Trees, Lazy, Functions, and Meta. For both the 'Mejhoul' and 'Boufeggous' cultivars, models built using Random Forest from the group of Trees turned out to be accurate and successful. The average classification accuracy for fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried 'Mejhoul' reached 99.33%, whereas fresh, convective-dried, and infrared-dried samples of 'Boufeggous' were distinguished with an average accuracy of 94.33%. In the case of both cultivars and each model, the higher correctness of discrimination was between fresh and infrared-dried samples, whereas the highest number of misclassified cases occurred between fresh and convective-dried fruit. Thus, the developed procedure may be considered an innovative approach to the non-destructive assessment of drying impact on the external quality characteristics of date palm fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postharvest rot is an urgent problem affecting the storage of winter jujube. Therefore, the development of new technologies for efficient and safe preservation is very important. This study aimed to elucidate the fungal microbiota found on the epidermis of jujube during the storage period using high-throughput sequencing, as well as to monitor the changes in quality indexes throughout this period. Through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, we identified two phyla (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) and six genera (Cryptococcus, Bulleromyces, Sporidiobolus, Alternaria, Pseudozyma, and Sporobolomyces), which potentially contribute to the spoilage and deterioration of jujube, referred to as "core fungal taxa". A high correlation was further found between preservation indices (including decay rate, firmness, and total soluble solids) and the growth of multiple core fungi over time. These findings will provide insights and a theoretical basis for further research on preservation techniques related to biological control during date fruit storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing commercialization of fresh date fruits (Confitera cv) in Spain is generating important amounts of co-products which currently are discarded as waste with the corresponding environmental problem and economic losses. The aim of this work was to valorize them, in an integral way, applying non-polluting procedures (grinding, soaking, filtering, or drying) allowing their reincorporation in the food chain in function on both nutritional and technological properties. Different intermediate and stable products with high added value have been obtained: (1) Date pastes with 50% moisture content and the same amount of sugars and dietary fiber (20% approx.), good source of K, Ca, and Mg, with low Na/K ratio,whose technological properties give them a great potential to provide desirable texture properties in some foods; (2) date waters rich in sugars and minerals with potential application as natural sweeteners or as source of carbon for the microbiota in fermented foods; (3) date flours with low moisture and high TDF content (58–66%), rich in minerals, and whose technological properties allow them to be used as carrier of oils (i.e., with healthy lipid profile) or as an emulsion stabilizer in the development of new foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dates are the second most important crops in Iran after pistachios, which show different structural and textural adaptations to drought and high temperatures. Acquiring the necessary knowledge about various structural and physiological changes from flowering to fruit ripening plays a significant role in obtaining high-quality and marketable fruit. Date fruit is a berry characterized by exocarp, fleshy mesocarp and membrane endocarp around the seed. This berry is formed from a fertilized carpel present in the female flower, while the other two carpels do not grow and decay. The fruit development period is long and lasts about 7 months. The sweetness and texture of date fruit is closely related to the maturity stage of the fruit. During the growth period of date fruit, several changes in the color and chemical composition of the fruit are observed. Mozafati is one of the most important commercial varieties of dates in Iran especially in Bam city. In the present study, the morphology and histology of the date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) of the Mozafati cultivar were investigated during the developmental stages. Material and Methods: Samples were collected from a commercial garden located in Bam city. Five adult 17-year-old date palms of Mozafati cultivar derived from offshoots grown in similar environmental conditions were used as female parents. The pollen used in this experiment is the same pollen that is normally used by local gardeners for pollination. Sample collection was done in five different developmental stages including Hababouk, Kimri, Khalal, Sarkhal and Rutab (4, 12, 19, 24 and 25 weeks after pollination, respectively). In this research, the local Iranian names such as Sarkhal and Rutb were used for the last two stages. The collected fruits, after cleaning and sorting, were packed and stored at 4ºC. The hand sections prepared from the fresh samples at each developmental stage were studied with an optical microscope after staining and then photographed. Results: An anatomical study of fruits in different stages of development revealed several general characteristics in their pericarp structure: 1) Pericarp differentiation starts in the early stages of development (immediately after pollination) and its development continues progressively and regularly. 2) The exocarp contains four differentiated layers in all developmental stages, from outside to inside, includes layers of the epidermis, hypodermis, skin parenchyma, and layer of stone cells. 3) The mesocarp (which is the largest region forming the pericarp) has a large number of layers consisting of parenchymal cells and is divided into two outer and inner regions, which are separated by a layer of parenchymal cells specialized to store tannins (idioblast). Vascular vessels with different sizes are distributed in the outer and inner mesocarp, which are less abundant in the inner parts. 4) The endocarp can be recognized as an unspecialized single-layered epidermis only in the early stages of development and eventually forms the seed coat together with the inner layers of the mesocarp. Conclusion: Organized protection and defense mechanisms, including the presence of thick cuticle, stone layer, and specialized tannin layer (tannin idioblasts) in all stages of pericarp development, were among the interesting histological features of this cultivar, which showed its adaptive and evolutionary role in specific habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic cadmium exposure is known to be a major health concern due to its nephrotoxic effects. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of date palm fruit extract (DPFE) against cadmium-induced renal toxicity in male albino rats. A total of 48 rats were divided equally into four groups and subjected to specific treatments. Group I (control given 1 ml distal water orally daily), group II (200 mg DPFE /kg b.wt. orally daily), Group III (5 mg CdCl2 /kg b.wt. orally, twice a week), and VI (DPFE and CdCl2). Serum samples were collected after 4 and 8 weeks for biochemical analysis, and kidney tissue specimens were obtained for histopathological examination. The administration of cadmium chloride for 4 and 8 weeks resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in the serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels, indicating kidney dysfunction. Histopathological changes, including vascular lesions, hemorrhage, edema, periglomerular, perivascular and interstitial fibrosis, mononuclear leucocytic cellular infiltration and excessive glomerular and tubular degeneration and necrosis which further confirmed the nephrotoxic effects of cadmium. However, pre-treatment with DPFE exhibited a substantial ameliorative effect against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. DPFE supplementation led to a significant reduction in kidney biochemical parameters toward normal levels and improved renal tissue architecture. Our findings indicate that date palm fruit extract has a time-dependant protective effect on kidney function indices and histopathological alterations induced by cadmium, highlighting its potential as a natural medication to mitigate renal damage caused by chronic cadmium exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, the abundance of low-value varieties in the oases may provide an opportunity to capitalize on this richness to create new nutraceutical food products. In this context, the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Moroccan date varieties were analyzed. Our results indicate that the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total condensed tannins vary, respectively, from 91.86 to 364.35 mg GAE/100 g of dry weight (DW), 46.59 to 111.80 mg QE/100 g DW and 16.10 to 42.03 mg CE/100 g DW during the 2021 harvest season. Furthermore, during the 2022 harvest season, these contents vary, respectively, from 119.13 to 410.39 mg GAE/100 g DW, 59.30 to 110.85 mg QE/100 g DW and 21.93 to 53.95 mg CE/100 g DW. The results of the HPLC-UV-VIS analysis revealed that, in all four varieties, gallic acid was and remained one of the major compounds in the date extracts. In addition, a high antioxidant activity of date extracts was particularly observed in the three tests, namely ferric reducing power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelating capacity (FIC) and the phosphomolybdate test. This richness in phenolic compounds makes low-value dates a source of active ingredient that can replace the synthetic antioxidants used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]