Effect of storage conditions on ‘Deglet Nour’ date palm fruit organoleptic and nutritional quality

The aim of this study was to identify optimal storage conditions able preserving date palm quality and minimising their loss in the supply chain. Hence, effect at −18, 0, 2 4 °C for 3, 6 9 months during two harvest seasons (2017 2018) on sugars, organic acids, polyphenols cell wall yields composition ‘Deglet Nour’ Tunisian dates, were studied. Mid Infrared Spectroscopy (MIR) as a non-targeted method allowed highlight year chemical discriminate samples stored regarding major components (moisture, acids.). Cell stable time. However, galactose from pectin side chains decreased with time, causing an increase lignin, cellulosic glucose, fucose rhamnose. Procyanidins, accounting 98% total polyphenols, not affected by storage. Regarding parameters stability, fruits −18 could be solution long term but due its high energetic costs, must temperature lower