The effect of maturity stage on the physicochemical composition and volatile components of date palm
fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was investigated at three different stages. Total sugars, pH, proteins and ash
increased up to the full-ripe stage of all date types. On the contrary, weight, moisture and total lipids
decreased across the same period. Pearson’s test established significant differences (p < 0.05) between
the different cultivars at each stage for all the parameters. Furthermore, multivariate tests show that
the composition and the variation of the chemical compositions mainly depended on the cultivar kind.
Eighty volatile compounds were identified during the maturation stages, 43 of them were newly identified
in Tunisian date fruits. The profiles of volatile compounds seem to be similar for Degla and Horra
varieties. Results from this work revealed essential information about the richness of littoral cultivars
in many nutrients and the possibility of their uses as a functional food ingredient.