Pomological, Nutritional and Biochemical Characteristics of Native Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) cv. Mejhoul Sampled at Different Climatic Areas in Morocco

This study aimed at studying the pomological, nutritional, and biochemical characteristics of Mejhoul dates collected at four different areas in Morocco. Analytical results showed that the maximum length and width of samples reached up to 42.01 ± 3.89 mm, and 21.55 ± 1.79 mm, respectively. Date maximum weights reached up 17.37 ± 2.22 g. Water content and ash of analysed Mejhoul fruits ranged from 19.65 to 30.41%, and from 2 to 2.53%, respectively. Mejhoul samples were characterized with lower lipid content ranging from 0.03 ± 0.02 to 1.42 ± 0.11 g/100 g DW and protein content varying from 3.09 ± 0.12 to 4.25 ± 0.05 g/100 g DW. Total and reducing sugars ranged from 77.19 ± 0.98 to 80.77 ± 0.12 g/100 g DW and from 31.27 ± 0.72 to 36.01 ± 0.40 g/100 g DW, respectively. The phytochemical analysis showed that total phenolic content ranged from 252.40 ± 3.06 to 488.35 ± 2.64 mg GA/100 g DW, flavonoids between 102.00 ± 0.73 and 297.51 ± 2.76 mg RE/100 g DW, condensed tannins from 34.66 ± 0.15 to 66.93 ± 0.80 mg/100 g DW and anthocyanins from 7.74 ± 0.29 to 14.13 ± 0.32 mg/100 g DW. The antioxidant activity ranged from 84.56 and 131.07 µmol TE/100 g DW using FRAP test and the IC50 values varied from 0.011 and 0.016 mg/mL for DPPH test. These findings highlight the effect of geographical location and pedoclimatic conditions on the morphology, phytochemical profiles and biochemical properties of Mejhoul dates. It can be concluded that the Mejhoul variety is of great importance from a nutritional point of view and influenced by environmental conditions