Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part M (2025)

Phoenix dactylifera L., commonly known as the date palm, is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees, highly regarded for its nutritional, medicinal, and economic value. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and functional properties of date fruits and their by-products, particularly seeds. Dates are rich in natural sugars, dietary fiber, essential minerals, and phenolic compounds, offering potential health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. The review highlights the valorization of underutilized parts of the date fruit, especially seeds, peels, and fibrous residues, into value-added products such as functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed. Recent technological advancements, including supercritical CO₂ extraction, fermentation, encapsulation, and nanoformulation, have improved the stability, functionality, and commercial viability of these derivatives. Despite the promising applications, research gaps remain in the full-scale exploitation of underutilized varieties and the industrial-scale utilization of by-products. This review underscores the need for multidisciplinary research, sustainable processing innovations, and regulatory support to harness the full potential of Phoenix dactylifera L. for health, nutrition, and economic sustainability.