Microbial Loads and Physicochemical Characteristics of Fruits from Four Saudi Date Palm Tree Cultivars: Conformity with Applicable Date Standards

Salah M. Aleid, Bakri H. Hassan, Salah A. Almaiman, Safar H. Al-Kahtani, Sobhy M. Ismail

College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia..

DOI: 10.4236/fns.2014.54038                

Abstract

The conformity of Saudi dates cultivars to date standards has not been studied extensively. In this study, microbial loads and physicochemical characteristics of four Saudi date cultivars (Sukkary, Khalas, Sugai and Anbara) were determined. Anbara cultivar had significantly higher mould and yeast counts than recommended under Saudi technical regulation and standards for packaged whole dates. Moisture content and insect damage for all studied cultivars fell within Codex standards. Single fruit weight for pitted and unpitted dates was higher than recommended under international standards. Date cultivar had a significant effect on fruit color thus fruit color should be included in Saudi technical regulation and standards for date grading.

Keywords

Saudi Dates; Standards; Microbial Load; Physicochemical Characteristics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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