Author(s)

Dina M. Trabzuni, Saif Eldien B. Ahmed, Hamza M. Abu-Tarboush

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition, minerals and antioxidants of heart of date palm from three Saudi cultivars. Moisture (ranged from 80.44% - 82.82%) was the predominant component in the heart date palm. Sukkari cultivar had the highest protein (5.27%) and ash (7.9%) compared to the other two cultivars. Fat was low in the three cultivars. Sucrose was the predominant sugar in the heart date palm and ranged from 7.65% - 20.25%. Potassium was the predominant mineral in the heart date palm and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Sukkari and Solleg compared to the Naboat Saif cultivar. Sulfur and chloride were next to potassium in abundance in the three heart date palm cultivars. Total phenols and flavonoids were higher in Solleg compared to the other two cultivars. IC₅₀ for Solleg, Sukkari and Naboat Saif were 0.12, 0.13 and 0.29 mg/ml, respectively. The results of the present study may highlight the potential importance of heart of date palm as a product rich in essential minerals and antioxidants. Future researches are needed to explore other characteristics of heart of date palm which could be considered for human nutrition.

Heart of Date Palm, Composition, Minerals, Antioxidants

Trabzuni, D. , Ahmed, S. and Abu-Tarboush, H. (2014) Chemical Composition, Minerals and Antioxidants of the Heart of Date Palm from Three Saudi Cultivars. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 5, 1379-1386. doi: 10.4236/fns.2014.514150.