Studies on the Sugars, Starch and Alcohol Insoluble Solids Contents in Fruits and Pinnae of Data Palm in Basrah

Abstract

The reducing and non-reducing sugars, starch and alcohol insoluble solids were determined in the fruits and the median pinnae of date palm leaves of Khadhrawi, Hallawi, Sayir, Zahidi (females) and Ghannami (male) date cultivars during the different stages of fruit development. Sugars accumulated gradually during fruit development in all varieties and were mainly reducing sugars. An opposite trend was obtained for starch and alcohol insoluble solids. Starch was present in all stages of fruit development of all cultivars. There was a general trend of decrease in sugars and starch content of the pinnae during summer followed by a slow increase during winter. Sugar found in the pinnae were mainly reducing.

Varietal differences were found in sugars, starch and alcohol insoluble solids contents of fruits and pinnae.