Tunisian Date Cultivars: Economical Aspect, Physicochemical Properties, Sensory Characterization and Potential Valorization

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest cultivated species in the Middle East and North Africa region particularly Tunisia, known by the most commercialized cultivars Deglet Nour, Allig, Khouat Allig and Kenta. It is now also cultivated in many arid and semi-arid regions around the world. The date palm is also one of the crop species generating the most important income and represents a major source of export earnings and livelihoods for millions of rural smallholders. It ensures food and nutritional security for millions of users. Thus, the economic activities generated by dates production can positively contribute to the achievement of certain goals of sustainable development. This chapter book aims to promote dates as special fruits for economic, environmental and social development; with regard to nutritional value and bioactive properties, since the fruit is recognized for its high content of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and ash. This fruit is also a rich source of high value antioxidant compounds as polyphenols. The history and symbolic meaning, the importance of dates and their traditional use were investigated. For example, in Tunisia, seeds palms are used not only as byproduct for food industries but in cosmetic to prepare eye Pencil “KOHL”, and to create “Koffa” which is a hand bag. The sensory characterization of Tunisian dates is an essential step in chemical analysis for defining the characteristics and value of food products. Mainly, Degletnour cultivar was the most appreciated for its organoleptic properties. Several potential valorization of date palm fruit and its coproducts were highlighted in this chapter book to give a lecturer a large overview. As example, valorization in food industries, animal feed, artisanal products, Energy production, etc