The phytochemical antioxidants; ß-carotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol contents of fruits of seven date (soft, semi-dry and dry) varieties were investigated. The results showed that Saidy date variety contained the highest ß-carotene amount (3970.0 µg/l00g fresh weight) followed by Zaghloul fruits (2767.5 µg/l00g fresh weight). While, Khudri fruits recorded the lowest ß-carotene value (80.0 µg/l00g fresh weight). Data revealed that the different date varieties presented a lycopene content varied from 170.0 to 3695.0 µg/l00g fresh weight for Manthour and Saidy date fruits, respectively. Also, it could be observed that the seven studied date varieties contained amounts of α-tocopherol ranging from 204.0 to 966.0 µg/l00g fresh weights. Generally, there were highly significant differences in ß-carotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol contents (µg/ g dry weight) among all the studied date varieties except between Samani and Amri (soft and semi-dry varieties, respectively) in their ß-carotene content. From the present results, every 100g of fresh date flesh will provide an adult human with 2.70 to 132.33% of his daily requirements of ß-carotene. However, the same weight of date will give only 1.02 to 4.83% of his α-tocopherol daily needs. The effect of technological processes on the studied phytochemical levels of Khudri date products were also studied. It was observed that the heat treatment during the preparation of Khudri date juices occurred an increase in ß-carotene (1.75 %) and α-tocopherol (126.65 %) levels compared with the raw fruits, while, lycopene content was decreased by 21.07 %. Besides, the processing of date syrup (Dibs) caused a more decrease in both ß-carotene and lycopene in the syrup compared with the raw juice, while, α-tocopherol was not detected. The by-product; date fiber had high level of α-tocopherol (5.26 µg/ g dry weight).
Research Abstract
Research Department
Research Journal
Zagazig J. Agric. Res.,
Research Member
Research Rank
2
Research Vol
36 (2)
Research Year
2009
Research Pages
417-433.