Antioxidant and Nutritional Properties of Date Fruit from Elche Grove as Affected by Maturation and Phenotypic Variability of Date Palm

Some parameters related to nutritive and functional properties were evaluated in date fruit from seven date palms from the Elche grove along the maturation process, in order to obtain information about differences due to phenotypic variability. Results showed that sugar and organic acid concentration were different depending on date palm, the highest levels being reached at 100% Rutab stage, with glucose and fructose as the predominant sugars and malic acid as the major organic acid. Hydrophilic total antioxidant activity (HTAA) was high and correlated to phenolic content, with maxima levels being found at early, medium or late Khalal stages, depending on date palm. In addition, significant differences were found in both, phenolic concentration and HTAA among date palm and maturation stages, while lipophilic total antioxidant activity (LTAA) was very low, without changes along maturation and not correlated to HTAA. Then, date fruit from Elche grove could serve as a good source of natural antioxidant and it would be advisable to consume them at medium or late Khalal stages, in order to achieve the maxima nutritional (high concentration of sugars and organic acids), organoleptic (appropriated firmness levels, yellow or red color and low astringency) and functional properties with benefits to human health.