Date fruit as a promising source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds: A review on its nutraceutical potential

Journal of Food BiochemistryVolume 46, Issue 9 e14325 REVIEW Date fruit as a promising source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds: A review on its nutraceutical potential Tayyaba Alvi, Tayyaba Alvi orcid.org/0000-0003-3432-9851 National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this authorMuhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan, Corresponding Author Muhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan kashif.khan@uaf.edu.pk National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Department of Food Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Correspondence Muhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan, National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan. Email: kashif.khan@uaf.edu.pkSearch for more papers by this authorAbid Aslam Maan, Abid Aslam Maan National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Department of Food Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this authorZafar Ullah Razzaq, Zafar Ullah Razzaq National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this author Tayyaba Alvi, Tayyaba Alvi orcid.org/0000-0003-3432-9851 National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this authorMuhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan, Corresponding Author Muhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan kashif.khan@uaf.edu.pk National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Department of Food Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Correspondence Muhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan, National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan. Email: kashif.khan@uaf.edu.pkSearch for more papers by this authorAbid Aslam Maan, Abid Aslam Maan National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Department of Food Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this authorZafar Ullah Razzaq, Zafar Ullah Razzaq National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanSearch for more papers by this author First published: 27 July 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14325Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract From the past decade, consumption of ready-to-eat food and ease of access to fast food increased the onset of several diseases. Thus, there is a need to shift the trend from consumption of unhealthy food item to natural and healthy alternatives. In this context, fruits can be considered as functional food, which have ability to provide essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. These compounds when consume in adequate amount would have the potential to lower the onset of diseases. In this regard, Phoenix dactylifera or date fruit is an important source of functional carbohydrates and bioactive compounds for their use as functional foods. The major functional carbohydrate in date fruit are in the form of dietary fiber, such as β-glucan, cellulose and fructans along with other bioactive compounds. Additionally, it is also a good source of other important nutrients such as sugars, minerals, along with minor quantities of proteins and lipids. Due to these functional compounds, date fruit have shown a wide range of pharmaceutical properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anticancer. This review provides latest information regarding functional and nutraceutical carbohydrates of date fruits along-with mechanism of action on different diseases reported in recent years. Practical applications This will provide information to food industries for the development of innovative food products by using date fruit. Moreover, bioactive components from date fruit may prove to enhance global health and wellness. However, further research is needed on clinical trials for the development of functional food products by using date fruit for functional foods and pharmaceutical applications. CONFLICT OF INTEREST There is no conflict of interest among authors. Open Research DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT This manuscript does not contain any data besides this article. Volume46, Issue9September 2022e14325 This article also appears in:Food Carbohydrates: Bioactivities and Functional Food RelatedInformation