Evaluation of some nutritional quality criteria of seventeen Moroccan dates varieties and clones, fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Date fruit is known to be the staple food in the Arab countries. It provides a lot of potential health benefits and can be the essential source of nutrients. The majority of Moroccan varieties are not characterized for their chemical, biochemical and quality properties. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of 17 varieties of Moroccan date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to determine their nutritive components. The analysis showed that the dates are rich in sugars (51.80-87.98%), they contain low concentration of proteins (1.09-2.80%) and lipids (0.16-0.39%). The predominant mineral is potassium (1055.26-1604.10 mg/100 g DW). Moreover, they contain high concentrations of malic acid (69.48-495.58 mg/100 g (DW)), oxalic acid (18.47-233.35 mg/100 g DW) and tartaric acid (115.70-484.168 mg/100 g DW). These results suggest that the date fruit are nutritious and can be an excellent source for human nutrition and health benefits.

Nutrient Media Optimization for Date Palm Micropropagation (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

An experimental study was conducted to optimise nutritional media for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) micropropagation by employing a shoot tip as an explant on basic Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with varied Auxin (IAA, NAA) and Cytokinin (Kinetin and 2ip) concentrations for shoot and root multiplication. The findings of date palm regeneration on basal MS medium (Control) without Kinetin and IAA indicated a decreased survival rate (5.0%) and no root or shoot up to the end of the experiment. When the basal MS medium having different Kinetin and IAA concentrations showed an increased rate of survival, i.e. basal MS +0.5 mg/L of Kinetin and 0.0 IAA (8.0%), MS basal+1.0 mg/L of Kinetin and 0.5 IAA (6.6) and basal MS +2.0 mg/L of Kinetin and 1.5 IAA (7.0) and basal MS contains 1.5 mg/L of Kinetin and 1.0 IAA resulted in highest survival rate (8.8%). However, the highest number of shoots (2.2) and a maximum length of shoots (8.8 cm) were recorded on basal MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L of Kinetin and 1.5 IAA. Moreover, the highest number of roots (3.34) and measured the maximum length of roots (3.56 cm) was achieved on basal MS media containing 1.0 NAA and 1.5 mg/L of 2ip.

SYNERGISM TEST OF DATE (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) AND RAW TEMPE ON ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Introduction: Dates and tempeh are foods that both contain antioxidant compounds. Antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and isoflavones are known to be found in dates and tempeh. This study was conducted to see how much antioxidant activity contained in dates and tempeh and how the effect of dates and tempeh consumed simultaneously on the increase in total antioxidant activity. Method: This study uses a direct experimental design with prospective data collection. The selected samples were dates with the type of sukkari and tempeh wrapped in plastic. Data processing was carried out using a simple linear regression statistical method. Results: The DPPH test method with UV-Visible Spectrophotometry instrument showed the results of the % inhibition value of dates fruit of 39.99% and tempeh of 24.52%. Testing the synergistic effect using 7 treatments showed that the treatment with a ratio of 50:50 had a higher % inhibition value than the other treatments, which showed that consuming dates and tempeh in a ratio of 50:50 could provide a synergistic effect on antioxidant activity. Conclusion The results obtained indicate that both samples, both dates and tempeh have high antioxidant activity, consuming both simultaneously can increase antioxidant activity. So it can be concluded that there is an effect on the synergistic effect of antioxidant activity of dates and tempeh which are consumed simultaneously. It is recommended to conduct research on the antioxidant activity of dates and tempeh using other test methods, and further research on the formulation of the preparation or clinical trials using mice.

Development and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol filled with date palm midrib powder

Date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in different parts of Saudi Arabia. The midribs rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are often burnt in the farms, causes severe environmental problems. In the present study, date palm midrib (DPM), these waste materials were powdered and incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Composites were prepared by varying the DPM loading (0–10 wt%) using the solution casting method. Tensile and thermal properties were analyzed for the composites with respect to filler loading. Addition of DPM as filler enhanced the tensile modulus while an inverse effect was observed in the elongation values. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis showed a gradual increase in melting temperature (Tm) and crystallinity values for PVA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the incorporation of DPM into PVA can increase the thermal stability of PVA. Morphology of the composites were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Morphological, Biochemical, and Metabolomic Strategies of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Deglet Nour) Roots Response to Salt Stress

Numerous Tunisian arid and semi-arid regions are subjected to soil salinity. Thus, they are known for halophytes plants cultivation, including date palms. Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. ‘Deglet Nour’, is a valuable Tunisian cultivar subjected to high salinity levels. In this way, our purpose is to evaluate the response of its roots to long period exposition to increasing salt concentrations. We started by studying the effects of 4 g/L, 8 g/L, 12 g/L, and 16 g/L NaCl on the parameters of germination (Growth rate—GR, Seed Mortality Rate—SLM, Germination Mean Time—GMT, and Germination Speed—GS) of date palm seeds for a 2-month period. We found that 4 g/L NaCl did not affect the seeds germination, and, hereinafter, the parameters of germination and the radicle length decreased with the increase of NaCl concentrations and experiment time. Then, we demonstrated a high antioxidative enzymes CAT and SOD production in case of salt stress augmentation. Lastly, a metabolomic approach was carried out by LC-HRMS, followed by an untargeted and targeted analysis using the XCMS online and MZmine tools, respectively. The roots chemical composition was compared using PCA. We identified 25 secondary metabolites, divided into 3 categories. Metabolites known for their role in salt stress alleviation include δ-tocotrienol, metabolites identified in salt stress for the first time, and other unknown metabolites.

Biochemical Changes and Antioxidant Variations in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Varieties during Flower Induction and Development

The present investigation was carried out to explore the biochemical changes and antioxidant variations, including non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant variations, in the leaves of different varieties of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) belonging to the early, mid-, and late-flowering categories in the United Arab Emirates. The changes in the protein and phenol concentration; the ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, and α-tocopherol contents; and the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were studied in the leaves during the preflowering, flowering, and postflowering stages of the date palms. Two varieties each from the early (Shaham, Khanezi), mid- (Barhee, Nabthasaif), and late- (Khasab, Fardh) flowering types were used in this study. The protein content in the leaves was higher in the early flowering varieties during the preflowering stage but lower in the other two varieties. The phenol content showed an opposite trend to the protein. There was significant variation in the ascorbic acid content and a reduction in glutathione and α-tocopherol between the leaves of different varieties. Similarly, the activity of the antioxidant enzyme ascorbate peroxidase in the leaves was higher during the preflowering stage in all varieties. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and catalase (CAT) activity was highest in the Bharhee leaves for all the stages. The peroxidase activity (POD) was highest in the Fardh variety of date palm, whereas the Khanezi variety exhibited the lowest activity. This study can be used as a baseline for developing more protocols for understanding the possible roles of biochemicals, antioxidants, antioxidant enzymes, and their interactions in the regulation of flower development in different date palm varieties.

Application of Native or Exotic Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Complexes and Monospecific Isolates from Saline Semi-Arid Mediterranean Ecosystems Improved Phoenix dactylifera’s Growth and Mitigated Salt Stress Negative Effects

The date, the palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important component of arid and semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystems, particularly in Morocco where it plays a considerable socio-economic and ecological role. This species is largely affected by desertification, global warming, and anthropic pressure. Salinity is a very worrying problem that negatively affects the growth and the physiological and biochemical activities of the date palm. In these arid zones, the main challenge is to develop new environmentally friendly technologies that improve crop tolerance to abiotic restraints including salinity. In this sense, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have received much attention due to their capability in promoting plant growth and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. It is thus fitting that the current research work was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effects of native AMF on the development of the growth and tolerance of date palm to salt stress along with testing their role as biofertilizers. To achieve this goal, two complexes and two monospecific isolates of native and non-native AMF were used to inoculate date palm seedlings under saline stress (0 g·L−1 Na Cl, 10 g·L−1, and 20 g·L−1 Na Cl). The obtained results showed that salinity drastically affected the physiological parameters and growth of date palm seedlings, whilst the application of selected AMF significantly improved growth parameters and promoted the activities of antioxidant enzymes as a protective strategy. Inoculation with non-native AMF complex and monospecific isolates showed higher responses for all analyzed parameters when compared with the native complex and isolate. It therefore becomes necessary to glamorize the fungal communities associated with date palm for their use in the inoculation of Phoenix dactylifera L. seedlings.