Abstract
The antioxidant activity values and total phenol contents of date flesh samples changed between 6.61 (Osailah)–10.72% (Rothanh Qassim) and 50.64 (Osailah)–98.61 mgGAE/100 g (Rothanh Qassim), respectively. Hence cultivars showed significant (p ˂ .05) variations. Among phenolic compounds, gallic acid contents of date flesh varied between 1.61 (Sbakah) and 11.23 mg/100 g (Rushudiah), 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid between 0.30 (Rushudiah) and 2.68 mg/100 g (Rothanh Qassim), and (+)‐catechin between 0.29 (Osailah) and 2.98 mg/100 g (Nabtat Ali). Fatty acid composition of date flesh showed palmitic acid changing from 12.77 (Osailah) to 16.04% (Rothans Qassim), elaidic acid from 39.21 (Osailah) to 67.99% (Sbakah), and linoleic acid from 11.61 (Sbakah) to 18.95% (Osailah). Crude protein contents of date flesh samples were between 2.06 (Nabtat Ali) and 16.67% (Osailah). Ca, K, Mg, and P were the major elements in date fruits. Ca, K, and P contents of date flesh samples were found between 10.90 (Sbakah)–237.18 mg/kg (Rushudiah), 54.17 (Rothanh Qassim)–214.66 mg/kg (Rushudiah), and 8.24 (Nabtat Ali)‐26.77 mg/kg (Rushudiah), respectively.
Practical applications
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the mankind's oldest cultivated plants. The date derivatives are rich in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Date flesh has nutritive components as potentially active antioxidant phytochemicals. The date has been an important crop in the desert regions of Arabian countries. Dates are rich in certain nutrients and provide a good source of rapid energy.