Fruit Chemical Composition and its Correlation with some Date Palm Cultivars during Fruit Development Stages

Abstract. Chemical composition of the fruits of Sillaj, Sakhi, Khudariand Sifri date palm cultivars was studied during the stages of fruitdevelopment (Kimri, Khalal, Tamre) in 2004 and 2005 seasons atHada Al-Sham Experimental Station, King Abdulaziz University. Thestudied traits varied greatly from one stage to another with somevariations between cultivars. Moisture, ash, and protein content significantlydecreased sharply especially in the Tamre stage. Total solublesolids and reduced and non reduced sugars increased progressivelyfrom Kimri, Khalal and Tamre stages. Pigments content (chlorophylla+b and carotene) being high in the Kimri stage, were significantlyreduced in the other two stages. Significant positive correlations werefound between protein content and ash, chlorophyll and carotene.Significant negative correlations were detected with reducing and nonreducing sugar. Reducing sugars negatively and significantly correlatedwith ash content, chlorophyll and carotene. Chlorophyll negativelyand significantly correlated with carotene content.