TITLE:
Microbial Loads and Physicochemical Characteristics of Fruits from Four Saudi Date Palm Tree Cultivars: Conformity with Applicable Date Standards
AUTHORS:
Salah M. Aleid, Bakri H. Hassan, Salah A. Almaiman, Safar H. Al-Kahtani, Sobhy M. Ismail
KEYWORDS:
Saudi Dates; Standards; Microbial Load; Physicochemical Characteristics
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.5 No.4,
February
7,
2014
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.