Upregulated synthesis and production of bioactive compounds in Lotus arabicus L. by in vitro feeding with dried powder of date palm seeds.

BACKGROUND: Plants are considered the primary source of many principal bioactive compounds that have been utilized in a wide range of applications including the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. Therefore, there is an imperative need to modulate the production of natural bioactive components. The present study aimed to determine the importance of dried and pulverized date palm seeds (DPS) as a natural elicitor for the synthesis of secondary metabolites in Lotus arabicus L. RESULTS: The presence of various antioxidant compounds, simple sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and reasonable mineral contents was distinct in the phytochemical characterization of DPS. The major components detected in DPS analysis were the 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyranone. The induced callus of L. arabicus (seven weeks old) was supplemented with DPS at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 g/l) in culture media. Treatment with 8 g/l DPS induced the highest antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid content and secondary metabolites (total phenolics and flavonoids) in the produced callus. Stress biomarkers (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde) were found in the control ranges except at 10 g/l DPS. The expression patterns of key genes involoved in secondary metabolism modulation, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavonol synthase (FLS) and deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), were triggered after DPS treatments. Moreover, the quantitative profiling of phenolic and flavonoid compounds showed that supplementation with DPS, especially at 8 g/l, led to pronounced increases in most of the measured compounds. CONCLUSION: The marked upregulation of eliciting-responsive genes and overproduction of secondary metabolites provide molecular-based evidence for intensifying the principal pathways of phenylpropanoid, flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis. Overall, the present in vitro study highlights the stimulating capacity of DPS utilization to improve the bioactive components of L. arabicus at the physiological and molecular levels, enhancing its potential as a medicinal herb.

Pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruit, soil, and water, and assessment of potential health risks to consumers.

A quantitative method based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique (QuEChERS) sample extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was evolved for the determination of 47 pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruits from Bam City of Kerman Province, Iran. The recoveries for selected pesticides ranged from 88 to 110% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 20% at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg-1. The proposed method had a linear range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1.00 mg kg-1, and the LOQ of the 47 pesticides was ≤ 0.005 mg kg-1. The coefficients of determination (R2) were more than 0.99. This technique was used on 12 fresh date fruits samples, three water samples, and three soil samples with three replications per sample. Forty-seven pesticide were detected collectively, but only diazinon was detected in the date fruit samples. The mean value of diazinon residues was 0.037 mg kg-1, and the concentration of diazinon in most samples was below the national maximum residue limit (MRL) for date fruit (0.05 mg kg-1). Among the pesticides measured, diazinon residues were also detected in the water samples, but not in the soil samples. The dietary intake assessment showed no health risk to humans from the consumption of fresh date fruit concerning the pesticides investigated.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L. Mill) fruit enhances sexual performance via modulation of oxido-inflammatory mediators and purinergic signaling in hypertensive male rats.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed at investigating the effect of dietary supplementation of Phoenix dactylifera, an important component of aphrodisiac supplements, on sexual performance, oxido-inflammatory mediators and purinergic signaling system in hypertensive rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hypertension was induced via oral administration of 40 mg/kg L-NAME. Thereafter, the sexual performance of the experimental animals was determined and the hypertensive rats with impaired sexual activities were placed on P. dactylifera-supplemented diet for 21 days, and the effects of the treatment on the overall sexual behavior, antioxidant status, oxido-inflammatory biomarkers, and enzyme activity of the purinergic system were assessed. RESULTS: Hypertensive rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sexual performance, elevated level of oxido-inflammatory mediators, and altered purinergic enzymes activity when compared with the control. However, sub-chronic feeding with P. dactylifera-supplemented diet improved sexual performance, significantly lowered oxido-inflammatory biomarkers, and enhanced the activity of purinergic enzymes in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSION: Findings presented in this study suggest that dietary inclusion of P. dactylifera could be useful in managing erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly observed in subjects with hypertension. Findings highlighted in this study thus provide the scientific basis supporting the folkloric use of P. dactylifera as a key ingredient in aphrodisiac supplements.

Genome-wide identification and in silico characterization of major RNAi gene families in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera).

BACKGROUND: Dates contain various minerals that are essential for good health. The major RNA interference (RNAi) gene families play a vital role in plant growth and development by controlling the expression of protein-coding genes against different biotic and abiotic stresses. However, these gene families for date palm are not yet studied. Therefore, this study has explored major RNAi genes and their characteristics in date palm. RESULTS: We have identified 4 PdDCLs, 7 PdAGOs, and 3 PdRDRs as RNAi proteins from the date palm genome by using AtRNAi genes as query sequences in BLASTp search. Domain analysis of predicted RNAi genes has revealed the Helicase_C, Dicer_dimer, PAZ, RNase III, and Piwi domains that are associated with the gene silencing mechanisms. Most PdRNAi proteins have been found in the nucleus and cytosol associated with the gene silencing actions. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis has revealed some important GO terms including RNA interference, dsRNA fragmentation, and ribonuclease_III activity that are related to the protein-coding gene silencing mechanisms. Gene regulatory network (GRN) analysis has identified PAZ and SNF2 as the transcriptional regulators of PdRNAi genes. Top-ranked 10 microRNAs including Pda-miR156b, Pda-miR396a, Pda-miR166a, Pda-miR167d, and Pda-miR529a have been identified as the key post-transcriptional regulators of PdRNAi genes that are associated with different biotic/abiotic stresses. The cis-acting regulatory element analysis of PdRNAi genes has detected some vital cis-acting elements including ABRE, MBS, MYB, MYC, Box-4, G-box, I-box, and STRE that are linked with different abiotic stresses. CONCLUSION: The results of this study might be valuable resources for the improvement of different characteristics in date palm by further studies in wet-lab.

Comparison of phenolic composition in Australian-grown date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds from different varieties and ripening stages.

In this research, different seeds of Australian-grown date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were studied to evaluate the antioxidant potential and analyze their phenolic constituents. Phenolic compounds were extracted from seeds of various Australian-grown date varieties at different ripening stages. Eight varieties of date seeds (Zahidi, Medjool, Deglet nour, Thoory, Halawi, Barhee, Khadrawy, and Bau Strami) at three ripening stages (Kimri, Khalal, and Tamar) were investigated in this study. Date seeds at Khalal (9.87-16.93 mg GAE/g) and Tamar (9.20-27.87 mg GAE/g) stages showed higher total phenolic content than those at Kimri stage (1.81-5.99 mg GAE/g). For antioxidant assays like DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, RAP, FICA, and TAC, date seeds at Khalal and Tamar stages also showed higher antioxidant potential than Kimri stage. However, date seeds at Kimri stage (55.24-63.26 mg TE/g) expressed higher radical scavenging activity than Khalal (13.58-51.88 mg TE/g) and Tamar (11.06-50.92 mg TE/g) stages. Phenolic compounds were characterized using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, revealing the presence of 37 different phenolic compounds, including 8 phenolic acids, 18 flavonoids, and 11 other phenolic compounds. Further, phenolic compounds were quantified using LC-DAD, revealing that Zahidi variety of date seeds exhibited the highest content during the Kimri stage. In contrast, during the Khalal and Tamar stages, Deglet nour and Medjool date seeds displayed higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. The results indicated an increase in phenolic content in date seeds after the Kimri stage, with significant variations observed among different date varieties.

A framework for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) tissue regeneration and stable transformation.

The date palm is a resilient, socioeconomically valuable desert fruit tree renowned for its heat, drought, and salinity tolerance. Date palm fruits are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and their beneficial health properties can mitigate current and future food security challenges. However, it is challenging to improve date palm production through conventional breeding methods due to its slow growth. Date palm seeds do not produce true-to-type progeny, and commercial propagation relies on direct organogenesis from maternal tissue. Consequently, numerous economically important and valuable cultivars are lost due to tissue recalcitrance and challenges in inducing cell dedifferentiation and regeneration. Moreover, genetic engineering of date palms is currently impossible due to the lack of a stable genetic transformation protocol. This hampers the development of genetic resources in date palms. This study established a tissue culture pipeline and a genetic transformation protocol for various commercially important date palm cultivars. We used the non-invasive visual reporter RUBY and four morphogenic regulators to validate and improve date palm transformation potential. We found that the date palm BABY-BOOM (PdBBM) and the WOUND INDUCED DEDIFFERENTIATION (PdWIND1) enhanced transformation efficacy. We show that PdBBM can induce embryogenesis in hormone-free media and regenerate roots and shoots in recalcitrant varieties. On the other hand, PdWIND1 maintained embryogenic cells in their undifferentiated state. Our study provides a foundation for genetically improving date palms and a potential solution for preserving economically valuable varieties.

Date fruit melanin is primarily based on (-)-epicatechin proanthocyanidin oligomers.

Plant-based melanin seems to be abundant, but it did not receive scientific attention despite its importance in plant biology and medicinal applications, e.g. photoprotection, radical scavenging, antimicrobial properties, etc. Date fruit melanin (DM) has complex, graphene-like, polymeric structure that needs characterization to understand its molecular properties and potential applications. This study provides the first investigation of the possible molecular composition of DM. High performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) suggested that DM contains oligomeric structures (569-3236 Da) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed agglomeration of these structures in granules of low total porosity (10-1000 Å). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provided evidence for the presence of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy revealed a g-factor in the range 2.0034-2.005. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the EPR signals can be associated with oligomeric proanthocyanidin structures having 4 and above molecular units of (-)-epicatechin. The discovery of edible melanin in date fruits and its characterization are expected to open a new area of research on its significance to nutritional and sensory characteristics of plant-based foods.

Phœnix dactylifera, L. seed oil alleviates Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and oxidative stress in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most serious form of interstitial lung disease. We aimed to investigate the effect of Phœnix dactylifera, L. seed oil (DSO) on a murine model of IPF induced by bleomycin (BLM). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with a single intra-tracheal injection of BLM (4 mg/kg) and a daily intraperitoneal injection of DSO (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Our phytochemical results showed that DSO has an important antioxidant activity with a high content of polyphenols and flavonoids. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed a high amount of oleic and lauric acids and a large quantity of vitamins. Histological examination showed a significant reduction in fibrosis score and collagen bands in the group of rats treated with 75 mg/kg of DSO compared to the BLM group. DSO (75 mg/kg) reversed also the increase in catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while higher doses (150 and 300 mg/kg) are ineffective against the deleterious effects of BLM. We revealed also that DSO has no renal or hepatic cytotoxic effects. CONCLUSION: DSO can play antioxidant and antifibrotic effects on rat models of pulmonary fibrosis at the lowest dose administered.

Designing and testing low-cost solar water heater using date palm fibers and starch.

Solar water heaters are a type of renewable energy technology that converts solar energy into heat to warm water. Solar water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and low maintenance requirements. In this study, low-cost solar collectors were developed using date palm waste (dried leaves) as thermal insulation. Date palm waste is a readily available and abundant resource in many regions, and using it in solar collectors can help reduce waste and promote sustainability. Two solar collectors were fabricated using crushed date palm waste, with one collector using the waste alone and the other mixed with starch. Tests were conducted in accordance with the European standard EN 12975-2-2006 and modeled the thermal behavior of the collectors. The results obtained showed that the prototypes of solar collectors performed well and exhibited behavior comparable to that of a commercial solar collector, with a production cost up to three times less. The use of date palm waste as thermal insulation in solar collectors is an innovative approach that aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, it was found that the leveled heating cost (LCOH) and the simple payback period (SPP) were 0.952 US$ kWh-1 and 2.472 years for the prototype without starch and 0.926 US$ kWh-1 and 2.397 years for the prototype with starch.

Is oral consumption of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L. fruit) in the peripartum period effective and safe integrative care to facilitate childbirth and improve perinatal outcomes: a comprehensive revised systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent reviews have reported inconclusive results regarding the usefulness of consuming dates (Phoenix dactylifera L. fruit) in the peripartum period. Hence, this updated systematic review with meta-analysis sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of this integrated intervention in facilitating childbirth and improving perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Eight data sources were searched comprehensively from their inception until April 30, 2023. Parallel-group randomized and non-randomized controlled trials published in any language were included if conducted during peripartum (i.e., third trimester of pregnancy, late pregnancy, labor, or postpartum) to assess standard care plus oral consumption of dates versus standard care alone or combined with other alternative interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment tools and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were employed to evaluate the potential RoB and the overall quality of the evidence, respectively. Sufficient data were pooled by a random-effect approach utilizing Stata software. RESULTS: Of 2,460 records in the initial search, 48 studies reported in 55 publications were included. Data were insufficient for meta-analysis regarding fetal, neonatal, or infant outcomes; nonetheless, most outcomes were not substantially different between dates consumer and standard care groups. However, meta-analyses revealed that dates consumption in late pregnancy significantly shortened the length of gestation and labor, except for the second labor stage; declined the need for labor induction; accelerated spontaneity of delivery; raised cervical dilatation (CD) upon admission, Bishop score, and frequency of spontaneous vaginal delivery. The dates intake in labor also significantly reduced labor duration, except for the third labor stage, and increased CD two hours post-intervention. Moreover, the intervention during postpartum significantly boosted the breast milk quantity and reduced post-delivery hemorrhage. Likewise, dates supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy significantly increased maternal hemoglobin levels. The overall evidence quality was also unacceptable, and RoB was high in most studies. Furthermore, the intervention's safety was recorded only in four trials. CONCLUSION: More well-designed investigations are required to robustly support consuming dates during peripartum as effective and safe integrated care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration No: CRD42023399626.

The utilization of date palm waste as an efficient adsorbent for the elimination of heavy metals from polluted water.

This study focuses on the removal of heavy metal ions, such as cadmium (Cd2+), lead (Pb2+), chromium (Cr6+), and zinc (Zn2+) from water. Metals, which are often present in water, can have various origins, i.e., industrial emissions, mining, melting, corrosion, municipal, industrial waste, and agrochemicals. These metals have the potential to cause adverse effects on human health. The study employed activated carbon derived from date palm waste as a means of removing heavy metals. The activated nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques, including SEM, ICP, XRD, BET, Raman, and FTIR analysis. Batch studies were conducted to optimize the metal ion adsorption onto the activated carbon of date palm waste. The adsorption process was evaluated using isotherm models and reaction kinetics under various conditions, including contact time, dosage, pH, and initial concentration. The findings of this study revealed that the prepared activated carbon from date palm waste effectively removed up to 85% of Cr6+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ ions from water. This study highlights the potential of using agricultural waste, to produce effective adsorbents for heavy metal removal.

Isolation and identification of a new Bacillus glycinifermentans strain from date palm rhizosphere and its effect on barley seeds under heavy metal stress.

Soil contamination by heavy metals is one of the major problems that adversely decrease plant growth and biomass production. Inoculation with the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can attenuate the toxicity of heavy metals and enhancing the plant growth. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a novel extremotolerant strain (IS-2 T) isolated from date palm rhizosphere to improve barley seedling growth under heavy metal stress. The species-level identification was carried out using morphological and biochemical methods combined with whole genome sequencing. The bacterial strain was then used in vitro for inoculating Hordeum vulgare L. exposed to three different Cr, Zn, and Ni concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 mM) in petri dishes and different morphological parameters were assessed. The strain was identified as Bacillus glycinifermentans species. This strain showed high tolerance to pH (6-11), salt stress (0.2-2 M), and heavy metals. Indeed, the minimum inhibitory concentrations at which bacterium was unable to grow were 4 mM for nickel, 3 mM for zinc, more than 8 mM for copper, and 40 mM for chromium, respectively. It was observed that inoculation of Hordeum vulgare L. under metal stress conditions with Bacillus glycinifermentans IS-2 T stain improved considerably the growth parameters. The capacity of the IS-2 T strain to withstand a range of abiotic stresses and improve barley seedling development under lab conditions makes it a promising candidate for use as a PGPR in zinc, nickel, copper, and chromium bioremediation.

Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Model for the Classification of Varieties of Date Palm Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

The popularity and demand for high-quality date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) have been growing, and their quality largely depends on the type of handling, storage, and processing methods. The current methods of geometric evaluation and classification of date palm fruits are characterised by high labour intensity and are usually performed mechanically, which may cause additional damage and reduce the quality and value of the product. Therefore, non-contact methods are being sought based on image analysis, with digital solutions controlling the evaluation and classification processes. The main objective of this paper is to develop an automatic classification model for varieties of date palm fruits using a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on two fundamental criteria, i.e., colour difference and evaluation of geometric parameters of dates. A CNN with a fixed architecture was built, marked as DateNET, consisting of a system of five alternating Conv2D, MaxPooling2D, and Dropout classes. The validation accuracy of the model presented in this study depended on the selection of classification criteria. It was 85.24% for fruit colour-based classification and 87.62% for the geometric parameters only; however, it increased considerably to 93.41% when both the colour and geometry of dates were considered.

Preparation, chemical profiles, antioxidative activities, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibitory effect of date fruit vinegar.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important commercial crop extensively consumed as a staple food and has been applied in many ethnomedical systems. Fruit vinegar is a preservative, condiment, and beverage with a spectrum of health benefits. Studies about the preparation, chemical profiles, and bioactivities of date fruit vinegar (DFV) are fundamental requirements for industrialization production. This study focused on the lab-scaled producing conditions, chemical profiles of DFV, and its bioactivities in vitro. According to the results, a date wine containing 9.75% methanol was obtained by yeast fermenting the enzyme-hydrolyzed date juice with 23.11% ± 0.39% of total sugar content. The optimized acidic fermentation conditions were an inoculation amount of 0.02%, a fermentation temperature of 31.14°C, and an initial alcohol content of 7.78%. Total acidity and total phenolic contents of the DFV were 7.74% ± 0.29% and 1.44 mg gallic acid equivalent/mL, respectively. In total, 32 organic acids were quantitated in the unaged DFV, with acetic, L-malic, and oxoglutaric acids as the predominant compounds. A total of 930 volatiles were identified in the DFV, including 186 esters, 177 terpenoids, and 148 heterocyclic compounds. There are 18 phenolic acids presented in the DFV. In addition, 42 flavonoids were quantitated in the DFV, including catechin, taxifolin, and cynaroside. The results of free radical scavenging activities and reducing power demonstrated that the DFV displayed good antioxidant properties. The DFV also acted well on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibition. These results suggest that the DFV can be industrially developed as a dietary supplement.

Seismic sensor-based management of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in date palm plantations.

BACKGROUND: The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is one of the gravest threats to palm trees. The challenge in monitoring RPW primarily arises from the inconspicuous presence of larvae within the stem, which is often devoid of noticeable symptoms. This study looks at the use of seismic sensors in RPW management in commercial date palm plantations. It explores whether the data garnered from the sensor domain, and its translation into the health status of date palms, can reliably inform precise decision-making. RESULTS: Sensor and damage index values, as gauged by the Agrint IoTree seismic sensor, vividly mirrored RPW colonization activity. They also accurately portrayed the impact of three distinct insecticides: imidacloprid, phosphine, and entomopathogenic nematodes. The seismic values and damage index of healthy untreated palms strongly supported the decision to pursue tree recovery. Furthermore, this facilitated the computation of recovery pace discrepancies across the tested treatments, measured as the number of days required for tree restoration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the practicality of employing seismic sensors, as exemplified by the IoTree system and its network services, to both monitor and assess palm tree health. Furthermore, it validates their efficacy in evaluating the efficiency of management strategies adopted against RPW, all grounded in a wealth of sensor-derived data. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Removal of heavy metals from wastewater by aerogel derived from date palm waste.

Cellulose that has been sourced from date palm leaves as a primary component was utilised. This cellulose served as the foundational material for the development of an aerogel composite. During this process, MXene (Ti3C2Tx) played a pivotal role in enhancing the overall composition of the aerogel. To ensure the stability and durability of the resulting aerogel structure, calcium ions were introduced to the mix. These ions facilitated the cross-linking process of sodium alginate molecules, ultimately leading to the formation of calcium alginate. This cross-linking step is crucial for the enhanced mechanical and chemical stability of the aerogel. Incorporating alginate and Ti3C2Tx into the cellulose aerogel enhanced its structural integrity in aqueous conditions and increased its adsorption capacity. When evaluated with synthetic wastewater, this composite exhibited remarkable adsorption capacities of 72.9, 114.4, 92.9, and 123.9 mg/g for As, Cd, Ni, and Zn ions, respectively. A systematic study was carried out to see the effect of various parameters, including contact time, MXene concentration, pH, and temperature on the adsorption of these elements. Peak adsorption was achieved at 60 min, favoring a pH range between 6 and 8 and exhibited optimal sorption efficiency at lower temperatures. The adsorption kinetics adhered closely to a pseudo-second-order, while the Freundlich model adeptly described the adsorption isotherms. An interesting result of this research was the aerogel's regenerative potential. After undergoing a basic acid treatment, the MXene/cellulose/alginate aerogel composite could be restored and reused for up to three cycles, all while maintaining its core performance capabilities even after the rigorous cross-linking processes. In three consecutive cycles, the removal percentages for As, Cd, Ni, and Zn were 48.15%, 80.38%, 56.51%, and 86.12% in cycle 1; 37.35%, 65.63%, 45.97%, and 78.42% in cycle 2; and 28.60%, 56.22%, 34.70%, and 65.83% in cycle 3, respectively. The composite was tested in conditions resembling seawater salinity. Impressively, the aerogel continued to demonstrate a significant ability to adsorb metals, reinforcing its potential utility in real-world aquatic scenarios. These findings suggest that the composite aerogel, integrating MXene, cellulose, and alginate, is an effective medium for the targeted removal of heavy metals from aquatic environments.

Endophytic fungi are able to induce tolerance to salt stress in date palm seedlings (Phoenix dactylifera L.).

Date palm, typically considered a salinity-resistant plant, grows in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide, and experiences decreased growth and yields under salt stress. This study investigates the efficacy of endophytic fungi (EF) in enhancing the salinity tolerance of date palm seedlings. In this experiment, EF were isolated from date tree roots and identified morphologically. Following molecular identification, superior strains were selected to inoculate date palm seedlings (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Mazafati). The seedlings were subjected to varying levels of salinity stress for 4 months, utilizing a completely randomized factorial design with two factors: fungal strain type (six levels) and salinity stress (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM sodium chloride). The diversity analysis of endophytic fungi in date palm trees revealed that the majority of isolates belonged to the Ascomycota family, with Fusarium and Alternaria being the most frequently isolated genera. In this research, the application of fungal endophytes resulted in increased dry weight of roots, shoots, root length, plant height, and leaf number. Additionally, EF symbiosis with date palm seedling roots led to a reduction in sodium concentration and an increase in potassium and phosphorus concentrations in aerial parts under salt-stress conditions. While salinity elevated lipid peroxidation, consequently increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, EF mitigated damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), while promoting proline and total soluble sugar (TSS) accumulation. The colonization percentage generally increased with salinity stress intensity in most strains. According to the results, the application of EF can alleviate the adverse effects of salinity stress and enhance the growth of date palm seedlings under saline conditions.

An assessment of ozone risk for date palm suggests that phytotoxic ozone dose nonlinearly affects carbon gain.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a significant phytotoxic air pollutant that has a negative impact on plant carbon gain. Although date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a globally important crop in arid or semi-arid regions, so far O3 risk assessment for this species has not been reported. This study estimated leaf- and plant-level photosynthetic CO2 uptake for understanding how elevated levels of O3 affects date palm biomass growth. Ozone risks to date palm plants were assessed based on exposure- (AOT40) or flux-based indices (Phytotoxic Ozone Dose, PODy, where y is a threshold of uptake). For this purpose, plants were exposed to three levels of O3 [ambient air, AA (45 ppb as daily average); 1.5 × AA; 2.0 × AA] for 92 days in an O3 Free-Air Controlled Exposure facility. According to the model simulations, the negative effects of O3 on plant-level net photosynthetic CO2 uptake were attributed to reduced gross photosynthetic carbon gain and increased respiratory carbon loss. Season-long O3 exposure and elevated temperatures promoted the negative O3 effect because of a further increase of respiratory carbon loss, which was caused by increased leaf temperature due to stomatal closure. POD1 nonlinearly affected the photosynthetic CO2 uptake, which was closely related to the variation of dry mass increment during the experiment. Although the dose-response relationship suggested that a low O3 dose (POD1 < 5.2 mmol m-2) may even positively affect photosynthetic CO2 uptake in date palms, stomatal O3 uptake at the current ambient O3 levels has potentially a negative impact on date palm growth. The results indicate 5.8 mmol m-2 POD1 or 21.1 ppm h AOT40 as critical levels corresponding to a 4% reduction of net CO2 uptake for date palm, suggesting that this species can be identified as a species moderately sensitive to O3.

Whole mitochondrial and chloroplast genome sequencing of Tunisian date palm cultivars: diversity and evolutionary relationships.

BACKGROUND: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the most widespread crop in arid and semi-arid regions and has great traditional and socioeconomic importance, with its fruit well-known for its high nutritional and health value. However, the genetic variation of date palm cultivars is often neglected. The advent of high-throughput sequencing has made possible the resequencing of whole organelle (mitochondria and chloroplast) genomes to explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of cultivated plants with unprecedented detail. RESULTS: Whole organelle genomes of 171 Tunisian accessions (135 females and 36 males) were sequenced. Targeted bioinformatics pipelines were used to identify date palm haplotypes and genome variants, aiming to provide variant annotation and investigate patterns of evolutionary relationship. Our results revealed the existence of unique haplotypes, identified by 45 chloroplastic and 156 mitochondrial SNPs. Estimation of the effect of these SNPs on genes functions was predicted in silico. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have important implications, in the light of ongoing environmental changes, for the conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of date palm cultivars in Tunisia, where monoculture threatens biodiversity leading to genetic erosion. These data will be useful for breeding and genetic improvement programs of the date palm through selective cross-breeding.

Antioxidant properties of date seeds extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in alloxan induced damage in rats.

The study was conducted to examine the antioxidant activity and evaluate the protective effects of the date seeds powder kentichi against alloxan-induced damage in the liver, kidney, and pancreas in diabetic's rats. Group 1: control group, that did not receive any treatment, Group 2: alloxan was injected intraperitoneally (120 mg/kg body weight) for two days (Diab), Group 3: treated only by date seeds powder added in the diet (300 g/kg) for 6 weeks (DSPK), Group 4: alloxan-diabetic rats treated with date seeds powder (300 g/kg) (DSPK + Diab). Estimations of biochemical parameters in blood were determined. TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were determined. A histopathological study was done by immersing pieces of both organs in a fixative solution followed by paraffin hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, the antioxidant activities of DSPK were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ABTS free radical scavenging. The results revealed that date seeds significantly decreased serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, T-protein, ALP, D-bili and T-bili levels. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities that had been reduced in liver, kidney, and pancreas of the treated group were restored by DSPK treatments and, therefore, the lipid peroxidation level was reduced in the liver, kidney and pancreas tissue compared to the control group. Additionally, the histological structure in these organs was restored after treatment with date seeds powder.