Free chlorine and pH were determined by using a photometer (HI 94771, Hanna Instruments, Eibar, Spain) and a pH-meter (Basic 20, Crison, Barcelona, Spain) respectively, for all solutions. Dates were dipped while stirring for 2 min in NEW
and AEW at about 15 C followed by 1 min of stirred dipping in tap water at about 15 C.