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Several ... An Overview of Date ( Phoenix dactylifera ) Fruits as an Important Global Food Resource. Received 2024 Jan 31, Revised 2024 Mar 20, Accepted 2024 Mar 23, Collection date 2024 Apr.
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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). PMCID: PMC11011438 PMID: 38611330. Abstract. Dates are the fruits of the date palm belonging to the Arecaceae family, they comprise over 2500 species and 200 genera and constitute an essential part of the daily diet worldwide, with beneficial nutritional, health, and economic values. Several varieties of date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) fruit exist globally, especially in hot and humid regions. This review is an overview of date palms as a significant global food resource, including their historical significance, nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, and health benefits. The historical journey of dates goes back to ancient civilizations where they were revered for their richness in essential nutrients and natural sweetness. Today, dates are a vital crop in arid regions, contributing substantially to the agricultural economy and livelihoods of communities. This paper further explores the cultivation techniques employed to enhance date production. Furthermore, the nutritional composition of dates is analyzed in detail, highlighting their high content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. These attributes make dates a delicious treat and a valuable nutritional component, offering numerous health benefits. The potential health effects, including improved digestion, enhanced cardiovascular health, and increased energy levels, are discussed. Additionally, this paper delves into the economic significance of the date industry and its global trade. Keywords: date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera , nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, contamination’s challenges of date fruit. 1. Introduction. In today’s increasingly sustainability-focused endeavors, the unassuming date fruit has captured the attention of researchers and food enthusiasts alike. Beyond its delightful sweetness, dates hold deep historical significance and are revered across cultures as a vital component of global food security. The date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) is a flowering plant cultivated principally for eating its fruit. Date trees can reach lengths of 21 to 23 m, with leaves that can attain heights of 4 to 6 m and have about 150 leaflets each [1]. The trees typically grow individually or in clusters from a single root system. Approximately 100 million date trees are cultivated worldwide, with the majority of them in the Middle East [2]. In addition, dates can be found in other countries, such as Australia, Mexico, South America, southern Africa, and the United States [3,4]. The date fruit is made up of pericarp, mesocarp, endocarp, and seed (kernel or pit) [5]. The main component is the mesocarp, which comprises parenchymatous cells divided into an outer and an inner mesocarp with layers of tanniferous cells in between [5]. The fruits undergo several developmental stages, including Khalal, Tamr, Hanabauk, Kimri, and Rutab, as they are called in the Middle East [2]. The date palm belongs to the Arecaceae family, a group of monocotyledonous plants classified under Angiosperms [6]. This diverse Arecaceae family comprises over 2500 species and 200 genera, showcasing a wide variety of palm plants with unique characteristics and features [7]. One genus, Phoenix , has about 14 species that are indigenous to southern Asian and African tropical or subtropical climates [8], among them is the Phoenix dactylifera L. The word “finger-bearing†in the species name “ Dactylifera †refers to the clusters of fruits that this plant produces. Dactylifera is a combination of the Latin term ferous , which means “bearingâ€, and the Greek word dactylus , which means “finger†[9]. The global geographic distribution of the “ Phoenix †genus is detailed in Table 1, as documented by Al-Alawi et al. [10]. More recently, the date palm tree genome was re-sequenced, yielding insights into the diversification of a date palm fruit crop [10]. Because date palms can thrive in harsh environments and the small fruit is stuffed with nearly all the essential vitamins, minerals, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, people in older times planted palm trees to use the dates fruits as food. Indeed, the Middle Eastern population consumes date fruits throughout the year, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and in special ceremonies. It is also widely used for making desserts and pastries. Table 1. Species of the genus Phoenix , together with information about their habitats and geographical spread and phylogenetic relationship. Species Local Name Geographical Distribution Phylogenetic Relationship Phoenix acaulis Stemless date palm Bhutan, Nepal, northern India. F P02acaF M Q10acaM Phoenix andamanensis Andaman Island date palm Myanmar. F Q01andF M Q03andM Phoenix atlantica Cape Verde Island Cape Verde Islands. F Q22atlF M Q23atlM Phoenix caespitosa Date palm Djibouti, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Yemen. F Q07caeF M Q09caeM Phoenix canariensis Canary Island date palm Australia, Bermuda, Canary Islands, Italy, Spain. F P08canF M P09canM Phoenix dactylifera L. Date palm Arabian Peninsula, Australia, California, China, El Salvador, Fiji, Iran, India, Mauritius, northern and western Africa, Pakistan, Spain. F dnPdF F khlsF2016 M dnPdM Phoenix loureiroi Mountain date palm China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Philippines. F P14hanF M P13hanM Phoenix paludosa Mountain date palm Andaman, India, Indochina, Sumatra. F P17palF M P19palM Phoenix pusilla Ceylon date palm India, Sri Lanka. F Q14pusF Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Comoros, Madagascar. F P21recF M P20recM Phoenix roebelenii Pygmy date palm China (Yunnan) to North Indo-China. F P03roeF M P5roeM Phoenix rupicola Cliff date palm Andaman Islands, Bhutan, India. F P0XrupF M Q15rupM Phoenix sylvestris Indian date palm Indian Subcontinent, Myanma, southern China. F P23sylF M P25sylM Phoenix theophrasti Cretan date palm Greek Islands, Turkey. F Q17theF M Q19theM. F. for female and M. for male. 2. Date Palm Origin. Numerous artifacts from ancient civilizations, including stone panels and coin engravings, include historical references to the date palm [11]. While this provides some helpful historical context, it has not been quite evident how the date palm has changed throughout the years. According to some historical references, the date palm was domesticated for the first time over 6000 years ago in the Persian Gulf, where it was then brought into North Africa [12]. However, the nature of its history and whose relatives contributed genetically to our modern-day date palm have not been totally understood [12]. Date culture was most likely developed as early as 3000 BCE, according to the earliest evidence from Iraq (Mesopotamia) [13]. The exact origin of the date is unknown because of its lengthy history and the extensive exchange and dissemination of date cultivars. However, it most likely originated from the ancient Mesopotamia region (Southern Iraq) or western India. Date farming began on the Arabian Peninsula and quickly extended to North Africa and the Middle East [4]. By the middle of the second millennium BCE, date culture had reached Egypt [11]. Later, as Islam spread worldwide, date farming followed and eventually reached southern Spain and Pakistan [4]. Over the past centuries, dates were also introduced to new areas such as Australia, India, Pakistan, Mexico, Southern Africa, South America, and the United States [14]. The Middle East’s history has greatly benefited from date cultivation. In the desert areas, a sizable community could not have been sustained without dates [4]. Dates have been cultivated in many nations where they are a staple food and a major source of wealth for the local population. These countries have benefited much from the dates’ enormous contributions to their economies, societies, and environments [4]. 3. Date Palms Cultivation. Date palms can be cultivated in the early spring or fall seasons. Due to the date palm’s colossal size, ample space is required for its cultivation.
Nutritional value of dates wikipedia
Several ... An Overview of Date ( Phoenix dactylifera ) Fruits as an Important Global Food Resource. Received 2024 Jan 31, Revised 2024 Mar 20, Accepted 2024 Mar 23, Collection date 2024 Apr.
ENTER TO THE SITE
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). PMCID: PMC11011438 PMID: 38611330. Abstract. Dates are the fruits of the date palm belonging to the Arecaceae family, they comprise over 2500 species and 200 genera and constitute an essential part of the daily diet worldwide, with beneficial nutritional, health, and economic values. Several varieties of date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) fruit exist globally, especially in hot and humid regions. This review is an overview of date palms as a significant global food resource, including their historical significance, nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, and health benefits. The historical journey of dates goes back to ancient civilizations where they were revered for their richness in essential nutrients and natural sweetness. Today, dates are a vital crop in arid regions, contributing substantially to the agricultural economy and livelihoods of communities. This paper further explores the cultivation techniques employed to enhance date production. Furthermore, the nutritional composition of dates is analyzed in detail, highlighting their high content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. These attributes make dates a delicious treat and a valuable nutritional component, offering numerous health benefits. The potential health effects, including improved digestion, enhanced cardiovascular health, and increased energy levels, are discussed. Additionally, this paper delves into the economic significance of the date industry and its global trade. Keywords: date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera , nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, contamination’s challenges of date fruit. 1. Introduction. In today’s increasingly sustainability-focused endeavors, the unassuming date fruit has captured the attention of researchers and food enthusiasts alike. Beyond its delightful sweetness, dates hold deep historical significance and are revered across cultures as a vital component of global food security. The date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) is a flowering plant cultivated principally for eating its fruit. Date trees can reach lengths of 21 to 23 m, with leaves that can attain heights of 4 to 6 m and have about 150 leaflets each [1]. The trees typically grow individually or in clusters from a single root system. Approximately 100 million date trees are cultivated worldwide, with the majority of them in the Middle East [2]. In addition, dates can be found in other countries, such as Australia, Mexico, South America, southern Africa, and the United States [3,4]. The date fruit is made up of pericarp, mesocarp, endocarp, and seed (kernel or pit) [5]. The main component is the mesocarp, which comprises parenchymatous cells divided into an outer and an inner mesocarp with layers of tanniferous cells in between [5]. The fruits undergo several developmental stages, including Khalal, Tamr, Hanabauk, Kimri, and Rutab, as they are called in the Middle East [2]. The date palm belongs to the Arecaceae family, a group of monocotyledonous plants classified under Angiosperms [6]. This diverse Arecaceae family comprises over 2500 species and 200 genera, showcasing a wide variety of palm plants with unique characteristics and features [7]. One genus, Phoenix , has about 14 species that are indigenous to southern Asian and African tropical or subtropical climates [8], among them is the Phoenix dactylifera L. The word “finger-bearing†in the species name “ Dactylifera †refers to the clusters of fruits that this plant produces. Dactylifera is a combination of the Latin term ferous , which means “bearingâ€, and the Greek word dactylus , which means “finger†[9]. The global geographic distribution of the “ Phoenix †genus is detailed in Table 1, as documented by Al-Alawi et al. [10]. More recently, the date palm tree genome was re-sequenced, yielding insights into the diversification of a date palm fruit crop [10]. Because date palms can thrive in harsh environments and the small fruit is stuffed with nearly all the essential vitamins, minerals, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, people in older times planted palm trees to use the dates fruits as food. Indeed, the Middle Eastern population consumes date fruits throughout the year, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and in special ceremonies. It is also widely used for making desserts and pastries. Table 1. Species of the genus Phoenix , together with information about their habitats and geographical spread and phylogenetic relationship. Species Local Name Geographical Distribution Phylogenetic Relationship Phoenix acaulis Stemless date palm Bhutan, Nepal, northern India. F P02acaF M Q10acaM Phoenix andamanensis Andaman Island date palm Myanmar. F Q01andF M Q03andM Phoenix atlantica Cape Verde Island Cape Verde Islands. F Q22atlF M Q23atlM Phoenix caespitosa Date palm Djibouti, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Yemen. F Q07caeF M Q09caeM Phoenix canariensis Canary Island date palm Australia, Bermuda, Canary Islands, Italy, Spain. F P08canF M P09canM Phoenix dactylifera L. Date palm Arabian Peninsula, Australia, California, China, El Salvador, Fiji, Iran, India, Mauritius, northern and western Africa, Pakistan, Spain. F dnPdF F khlsF2016 M dnPdM Phoenix loureiroi Mountain date palm China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Philippines. F P14hanF M P13hanM Phoenix paludosa Mountain date palm Andaman, India, Indochina, Sumatra. F P17palF M P19palM Phoenix pusilla Ceylon date palm India, Sri Lanka. F Q14pusF Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Comoros, Madagascar. F P21recF M P20recM Phoenix roebelenii Pygmy date palm China (Yunnan) to North Indo-China. F P03roeF M P5roeM Phoenix rupicola Cliff date palm Andaman Islands, Bhutan, India. F P0XrupF M Q15rupM Phoenix sylvestris Indian date palm Indian Subcontinent, Myanma, southern China. F P23sylF M P25sylM Phoenix theophrasti Cretan date palm Greek Islands, Turkey. F Q17theF M Q19theM. F. for female and M. for male. 2. Date Palm Origin. Numerous artifacts from ancient civilizations, including stone panels and coin engravings, include historical references to the date palm [11]. While this provides some helpful historical context, it has not been quite evident how the date palm has changed throughout the years. According to some historical references, the date palm was domesticated for the first time over 6000 years ago in the Persian Gulf, where it was then brought into North Africa [12]. However, the nature of its history and whose relatives contributed genetically to our modern-day date palm have not been totally understood [12]. Date culture was most likely developed as early as 3000 BCE, according to the earliest evidence from Iraq (Mesopotamia) [13]. The exact origin of the date is unknown because of its lengthy history and the extensive exchange and dissemination of date cultivars. However, it most likely originated from the ancient Mesopotamia region (Southern Iraq) or western India. Date farming began on the Arabian Peninsula and quickly extended to North Africa and the Middle East [4]. By the middle of the second millennium BCE, date culture had reached Egypt [11]. Later, as Islam spread worldwide, date farming followed and eventually reached southern Spain and Pakistan [4]. Over the past centuries, dates were also introduced to new areas such as Australia, India, Pakistan, Mexico, Southern Africa, South America, and the United States [14]. The Middle East’s history has greatly benefited from date cultivation. In the desert areas, a sizable community could not have been sustained without dates [4]. Dates have been cultivated in many nations where they are a staple food and a major source of wealth for the local population. These countries have benefited much from the dates’ enormous contributions to their economies, societies, and environments [4]. 3. Date Palms Cultivation. Date palms can be cultivated in the early spring or fall seasons. Due to the date palm’s colossal size, ample space is required for its cultivation.
Nutritional value of dates wikipedia