| The
effects of harvesting date (Gandora [green stage], Doka [early stage of
fruit development], and Dang [late stage of fruit development]) on 8 P.
dactylifera cultivars (Jagool, Khadrawi, Medjool, Shamran, Halawy,
Barhee, Khunezi, and Khalsa) were investigated. The harvesting stage
influenced fruit weight, acidity, total soluble solids (TSS),
organoleptic rating, and spoilage percentage. The weight of fruits in
all eight cultivars increased up to Doka stage and then slightly
decreased at Dang stage. The TSS in all cultivars increased from Gandora
to Dang stage whereas acidity decreased. This study revealed that for
raw consumption of dates as well as for its better keeping quality,
fruits should be harvested at the Doka stage. As positive correlation
was observed between TSS and organoleptic rating. It is suggested that
TSS may be considered as an index of maturity of dates. |
