Chemical Composition and Nutritional Quality of Date Seeds

Abstract

The seeds of Ruzeiz and Sifri date cultivars, on the average, contained 6.5% protein, 10.4% fat, 22.0% fiber, 1.1% ash, and 60.0% carbohydrates on a dry weight basis. Mineral analysis showed higher concentration of K followed by P, Mg, Ca and Na. Among the microelements, Fe was in higher concentration (7.4 mg/lOOg dry weight) followed by Mn, Zn and Cu. Oleic (44.25%), lauric (17.35%), myristic (11.45%), palmitic (10.30%) and linoleic (8.45%) were the major fatty acids in date seed oil. Tryptophan (chemical score = 77) was the first limiting amino acid in date seed proteins (FAO/WHO, 1973). The average in vitro protein digestibility and calculated protein efficiency ratio values were 63.5% and 1.65, respectively, compared to 90% and 2.50 for ANRC-Casein.

Composition characterisation and thermal transition of date pits powders

“…Other minerals are less than 10 mg/ kg sample, while lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) were found in trace levels. Similar contents were reported by El-Shurafa et al (1982), Mossa et al (1986), Sawaya et al (1984), and Sumianah et al (1984) in fresh date pits of various cultivars, results which argue for a certain generic trend in the level of minerals in date cultivars. Contaminants such as lead and cadmium are present in trace amounts and should not pose a hazard to health according to the EC Food Legislation (EEC No.…”

“…Presently, the seeds are a mixture of Fardh and Khasab date varieties. Dowson and Aten (1962) and Sawaya et al (1984) studied the fatty acid composition of fresh date pits of Ruzeiz and Sifri varieties. They also reported that oleic, linoleic, lauric and palmitic acids are the major constituents followed by myristic acid and other minor components.…”

“…The organic, inorganic and nutritional constituents of date pits were determined by Aldhaheri, Alhadrami, Aboalnaga, Wasfi, and Elridi (2004), Alwash and DePeters (1982), Besbes, Blecker, Deroanne, Drira, and Attia (2004), El-Shurafa, Ahmed, and Abou-Naji (1982), Hamada, Hoshim, and Sharif (2002), Kamel, Diab, Ilian, and Salman (1981), Sawaya, Khalil, and Safi (1984), Sumianah, Makki, and Rumney (1984). Most of the literature presented mainly proximate and mineral compositions.…”

Chemical Compositions of Date-Pits and Its Potential for Developing Value-Added Product - a Review

“…Generally, oils with high oleic fatty acid contents showed good flavour and frying stability. Date-pits oil showed low content of linoleic acid as compared to the commonly consumed vegetable oils and lower degree of unsaturation [Sawaya et al, 1984]. Oleic fatty acid is beneficial to health due to its low saturation level, minimal trans-isomer level and its potential to reduce LDL cholesterol in the blood as well as high oxidative stability [Liang & Liao, 1992].…”

Antioxidant Activity of Date Seed Oils of Fifteen Varieties from Iran

“…Some reports were appeared in literature about fatty acid composition of date seed oil in other countries 2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] . Despite the application of the oil in the industries, few investigates has been carried out on the extraction of oil from date seeds cultivated in Iran 1,18 .…”