Date palm tree products and by-products are exceptionally rich in bioactive compounds offering potential health benefits, therefore suitable to be used as natural ingredients in food manufacturing.
This research paper undertakes a review study summarizing the sensory properties, nutritional profiles, and health-promoting biocompounds found in date fruit and its by-products. By-products include low-quality dates, pits, leaves, and pollen; all derived during the date fruit processing. The research also followed up on recent findings regarding these products' potential development for new functional foods.
The discussion assesses that date fruits and their by-products are deeply rich in unique bioactive compounds like hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, and phytoestrogens. These compounds were noted to contain potential health-boosting properties, making them suitable for use as nutraceutical ingredients in different food formulations. These formulated foods can aid in meeting the increasing demand for products made with natural ingredients among consumers. Also, it's noted that food matrices serve as excellent vehicles to ensure the bioavailability of these biomolecules present in the date palm products.
