title: Dietary fiber from Tunisian common date cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.): chemical composition, functional properties, and antioxidant capacity.
abstract: The dietary fibers (DF) of 10 date varieties from Tunisian oases have been investigated. Further knowledge on the content, composition, and technological applications of those fibers could support their genetic variability and promote the socioeconomical development of growing areas. The composition, water- and oil-holding capacities, solubility, and antiradical activity have been determined. The DF content ranged from 4.7% (Matteta, Rochdi) to >7% (Deglé Nour, Garen Gaze, Smeti). Composition varied significantly among cultivars, and the results evidenced that uronic acids and lignin determine to a great extent the organoleptic quality of dates. Many of the varieties that have been studied (Garen Gaze, Matteta, Kenta, Rochdi, Mermella, Korkobbi, Eguwa) were selected because of great interest from technological and functional points of view. Among their physicochemical characteristics, these samples presented water- and oil-holding capacities of higher than 17 and 4 mL/g fiber, respectively, which make them suitable for use as additives in fiber-enriched foods. Also, DF of Garen Gaze, Smeti, Mermella, and Eguwa had a high antiradical capacity (>230 Trolox equiv/kg fiber). It was concluded that some of these varieties could be grown as potential sources of DF, which could be included in the formulation of fiber- and antioxidant-enriched foods.
authors.affiliation: Arid and Oases Cropping Laboratory, Arid Area Institute, Medenine 4119, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Abdessalem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mrabet
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Arcos
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guillén-Bejarano
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaira
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferchichi
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Araujo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000032:analysis; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis; D012995:Solubility; D014416:Tunisia; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010938:Plant Oils; D059808:Polyphenols; D014867:Water