Some physicochemical and morphological characterizations of three varieties of Algerian common dates

Abstract

The date palm is a typical plant of the arid and semi arid areas. Unfortunately in fact they are not all the varieties that profits from an economic interest except for Deglet-Nour. Thus, it represents a danger to the genetic inheritance and the biodiversity. The three varieties studied in this work are: Mech-Degla, Degla-Beida and Frezza, which are common varieties cultivated in the south of Algeria. They are characterized by a good availability and an interesting aptitude for the conservation. In this work (included in our project consisting in the valorization of the common local dates) were presented only the obtained first results. The morphological characteristics (weight of whole date, pea of pulp (pulpit), weight of the seed, length and width of whole date and the seed, pulp/seed ratio, pulp/date ratio, seed/date ration) are given. The physicochemical parameters studied are: pH, ashes, flavonoid, minerals and antioxidant activity. All three varieties are particularly rich in minerals (K, Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn), in flavonoïd. Concerning the antioxidant activity, different cultivars is endowed with an extraordinary capacity (61.82, 61.56 and 61.61% respectively for Mech-Degla, Degla-Beida and Frezza). © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2007