Characterization Of Nutritional And Bioactive Compounds In Ajwa

Characterization of nutritional and bioactive compounds in Ajwa in comparison to other five varieties of Palm Dates

Evaluation of different antioxidants, and phytochemicals were performed to check the efficacy of different varieties of Palm Dates. It has been experimentally proven that Ajwa is not of prime importance than the rest of the varieties. Results clearly defines the efficacy of all varieties not only of Ajwa and it is scientifically proven the ingestion of other varieties. The total moisture content in date varieties were range from 7 - 15 %. The total ash content in date varieties were range from 1 - 3 %. The total Protein content in date varieties were range from 1 - 3 %. The total fat in date varieties were range from 1 - 6 %. The total fiber content in date varieties were range from 14 - 70 %. Moreover, the total Carbohydrates in date varieties were range from 12 - 34 %.

Mazafati, Shareefa and Busra contain more fiber as compare to Ajwa that promotes good digestion. It also helpful for diabetic patients for not instant supply of sugars by delaying digestion due to high fiber content. Palm Dates promotes good health and provide with large number of nutrients, antioxidants, minerals and phytochemicals. Irani contain more phenolic (16.6 g/ 100 g) as compare to the rest the Palm dates. Total phenolic content ranges from 10- 17g as per 100 g of fruit. Busra shows more tannin (11.75 %) and DPPH inhibition index (54.20 %) so it is better for immune system to protect from cancer and maintain good body heath. Antioxidant activity in palm dates ranges from 1 – 55 % while tannins content ranges from 0 – 12 %.

Palm Date, a food snack, frequently used in Asia, one of the oldest cultivated humanity’s plants (S.Khalid et al., 2016). In Arab regions, Palm dates used as staple food because of it constitutes an important part of human diet, providing a high proportion of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Dietary fiber, and fat, antioxidants and phenolic (Al Farsi et al., 2007). Dates (phoenix Dactylifera) also play a protective role against many diseases includes; diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases (Vayalil, 2011). Palm date flesh and particularly pits contain many bioactive compounds that help in the prevention of many serious diseases like cancer.Ajwa dates are high in nutritional composition then the rest of the dates varieties.

Both flesh and pits are rich in bioactive compounds that aids to promote human health and leads to eradicate and treat different diseases (Al Farsi and Lee 2008). Date fruit extract also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of benzo (a) pyrene-induced mutagenecity on Salmonella tester strains TA-98 and TA-100 with metabolic activation. Antioxidant and antimutagenic activity in date fruit is quite potent and implicates the presence of compounds with potent free-radical-scavenging activity (Vayalil, 2002). Dates also contain small amounts of vitamins C, B1 thiamine, B2 riboflavin and nicotinic acid (Samarawira 1983).Date flesh was found rich in mineral content, like; sodium, Potassium, Zinc and Calcium.