# Valorization of Date Fruit (_Phoenix dactylifera_ L.) Processing Waste and By-Products: A Review
## 3 Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Date Fruit and Date By-Products
### Fatty Acids  
Fatty acids play a crucial role in various physiological functions in the human body, including energy storage, cell membrane structure, and signaling [35]. The fatty acid  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline
**Component** & **Date Fruit (per 100 g)** & **Date Pit (per 100 g)** & **Date Press Cake (per 100 g)** & **References** \\ \hline Moisture (g) & 12.60–50.40 & 1.42–4.14 & 6.11–13.4 & [18; 23; 29; 30; 31] \\ Carbohydrate (g) & 76.69–90.18 & 83.39–85.55 & 66.2–79.1 & [18; 23; 31] \\ Protein (g) & 1.60–3.53 & 3.20–5.00 & 4.10–10.5 & [18; 23; 31] \\ Fat (g) & 0.32–1.09 & 6.30–7.40 & 4.92–5.12 & [18; 23; 31] \\ Ash (g) & 2.08–2.50 & 1.14–1.50 & 2.78 & [18; 31] \\ Dietary fiber (g) & 8.10–12.70 & 64.50–79.84 & 11.7–12.4 & [23; 29; 31; 32] \\ Calcium (mg) & 15.46–53.82 & 28.9–38.8 & 41.74–50.35 & [21; 22; 23] \\ Phosphorus (mg) & 52.19–77.94 & 83.6–68.3 & 54.17–116.51 & [21; 22; 23] \\ Sodium (mg) & 6.25–17.52 & 10.25–10.4 & 0.16–0.25 & [21; 22; 23] \\ Potassium (mg) & 281.74–478.29 & 229–293 & 54.17–116.51 & [21; 22; 23] \\ Magnesium (mg) & 42.17–70.38 & 51.7–58.4 & 82.57–109.33 & [21; 22; 23] \\ Iron (mg) & 0.84–1.51 & 2.30–2.21 & 7.14–9.01 & [21; 22; 23] \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: The proximate nutritional composition of date fruit, pit, and date press cake.  
composition of the date palm varies depending on the cultivar, geographic location, and maturity stage of the fruit [36]. The major fatty acids present in the date palm include palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and stearic acid (C18:0) [37].  
Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid accounting for around 10-15% of the total fatty acid content in date palm fruit [37]. Palmitic acid has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance when consumed in excess. However, moderate consumption of palmitic acid from natural sources such as date palm fruit may not have negative health effects [38]. Stearic acid is another saturated fatty acid that accounts for around 5-10% of the total fatty acid content in date palm fruit [39]. The consumption of high amounts of saturated fatty acids is related to high LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke [40].  
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that accounts for around 40-50% of the total fatty acid content in date palm fruit, which is the highest among all of the fatty acids, and linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that accounts for around 8-19% [37]. Unsaturated acids can improve heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity [41]. Oleic acid is also involved in synthesizing various hormones and cell membrane structures [42]. Furthermore, date seed oil, rich in linoleic acid, has skin-enhancing and protective properties due to its essential fatty acids that our body cannot produce naturally. Insufficient levels of these essential fatty acids can lead to skin issues such as dryness, flakiness, fragile nails, and hair thinning. Numerous skincare products utilize linoleic acid to address conditions like acne vulgaris, skin disorders, and sunburn [29].