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Date fruit: chemical composition, nutritional and medicinal values, products
Zhen-Xing Tang1, Lu-E Shi, Salah M Aleid
1Department of Food Science, Anqing Vocational and Technical College, Anqing, Anhui, China. tangzhenxing@126.com
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Date fruit is a nutrient-rich staple with significant health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its composition and value-added products are reviewed for nutritional and medicinal applications.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Science
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Date fruit is a globally significant food source, with production tripling in 40 years.
- It offers essential nutrients and potential health advantages.
- Date fruit undergoes distinct ripening stages (kimri, khalal, rutab, tamer).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the chemical composition of date fruit.
- To explore the nutritional and medicinal values of date fruit and its products.
- To highlight the potential of date by-products for value-added applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies on date fruit.
- Analysis of chemical composition across ripening stages and cultivars.
- Examination of documented health benefits and product development.
Main Results:
- Date fruit is rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phenolics, and carotenoids.
- It exhibits diverse bioactivities: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anticancer, and immunostimulant.
- Date fruit products (syrup, paste, juice) and by-products offer significant value.
Conclusions:
- Date fruit's nutritional and medicinal value is linked to its rich chemical profile.
- Further research into date fruit and its by-products can unlock new health and industrial applications.
- Date fruit represents a valuable resource for food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical industries.
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