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Tunisian Date Cultivars: Economical Aspect, Physicochemical Properties, Sensory Characterization and Potential Valorization

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Agriculture Productivity in Tunisia Under Stressed Environment

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Abstract

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest cultivated species in the Middle East and North Africa region particularly Tunisia, known by the most commercialized cultivars Deglet Nour, Allig, Khouat Allig and Kenta. It is now also cultivated in many arid and semi-arid regions around the world. The date palm is also one of the crop species generating the most important income and represents a major source of export earnings and livelihoods for millions of rural smallholders. It ensures food and nutritional security for millions of users. Thus, the economic activities generated by dates production can positively contribute to the achievement of certain goals of sustainable development. This chapter book aims to promote dates as special fruits for economic, environmental and social development; with regard to nutritional value and bioactive properties, since the fruit is recognized for its high content of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and ash. This fruit is also a rich source of high value antioxidant compounds as polyphenols. The history and symbolic meaning, the importance of dates and their traditional use were investigated. For example, in Tunisia, seeds palms are used not only as byproduct for food industries but in cosmetic to prepare eye Pencil “KOHL”, and to create “Koffa” which is a hand bag. The sensory characterization of Tunisian dates is an essential step in chemical analysis for defining the characteristics and value of food products. Mainly, Degletnour cultivar was the most appreciated for its organoleptic properties. Several potential valorization of date palm fruit and its coproducts were highlighted in this chapter book to give a lecturer a large overview. As example, valorization in food industries, animal feed, artisanal products, Energy production, etc

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Carthage, National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT), Department of Agri-Food Industries, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia

    H. Ben Ismail & D. Ben Hassine

  2. University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Tunis, LR11ES09, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia

    H. Ben Ismail

  3. University of Carthage, Laboratory of Materials, Molecules and Applications LRMES 22, IPEST, La Marsa, Tunisia

    D. Ben Hassine

Authors
  1. H. Ben Ismail
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  2. D. Ben Hassine
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Correspondence to H. Ben Ismail .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticultural Sciences and Landscape, Laboratory of Integrated management of natural resources: remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling (LR17AGR01 / GREEN-TEAM), High Institute of Agronomic Sciences Chott Meriam (ISA-CM) Sousse, Agricultural Research and Higher Education Institution (IRESA), University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

    Faiza Khebour Allouche

  2. Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Mohamed Abu-hashim

  3. Water and Water Structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

    Abdelazim M. Negm

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Ismail, H.B., Hassine, D.B. (2021). Tunisian Date Cultivars: Economical Aspect, Physicochemical Properties, Sensory Characterization and Potential Valorization. In: Khebour Allouche, F., Abu-hashim, M., Negm, A.M. (eds) Agriculture Productivity in Tunisia Under Stressed Environment. Springer Water. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74660-5_4

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