Fruit Characterization of Some Local Dry Date Cultivars in Rubatab Area

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of three known date cultivars in Abu Hamed Locality, River Nile State, Northern Sudan, namely; Sikkouti, Sunta and Boor. The physical characterization of fruits included whole fruit and pulp mean weight, seed weight, fruit length and width, pulp thickness, fruit volume, colour and shape. The results indicated significant differences, in most characteristics between the three cultivars. Boor recorded the highest fruit weight and fruit length. Sunta and Boor recorded the highest pulp thickness and pulp weights. Concerning fruit width, Sunta showed the highest value, followed by Sikkouti and Boor, respectively. Boor recorded the highest moisture content, while Sikkouti recorded the lowest value. Regarding chemical characteristics, the moisture content values indicated that the three cultivars are dry dates (moisture content below 20%). Sikkouti cultivar recorded the highest mean values of total sugars (71.1%) and non-reducing sugars (32.4%), while Boor and Sunta recorded the highest reducing sugars (42.2%). Sikkouti had the highest fiber and ash content, while, the least values were recorded by Sunta. For minerals content, the analysis indicated the presence of high levels of K (1164-1641mg/100g) in all tested cultivars, beside different rates of Fe, Ca, Zn, Cu and Mn.