Date: the Genus Phoenix: Production, Processing, Food, and Medicinal Values

Of the many varieties of date palms, the species Phoenix dactylifera Linn. is cultivated extensively and traded and consumed worldwide. Dates: Production, Processing, Food, and Medicinal Values draws from a broad spectrum of contributors to present a comprehensive survey of this particular species. The book explores a range of essential facets of what many consider to be a wonder plant―from its cultivation to its potential for medicinal purposes.

Divided into four parts, the book begins by examining cultural practices and their implications for date quality. The contributors discuss tissue culture studies, farm water management, mechanization approaches in pollination and harvesting operations, and marketing aspects. The second section focuses on postharvest operations such as drying and explores alternatives for methyl bromide fumigation and value-added products. It also reviews biofuel production from by-products and discusses the issue of waste generated from industry.

The third part of the book highlights the physical, chemical, and structural characteristics of dates. It reviews fermentative products that use dates as substrate, discusses the fruits as a substitute for added sugar in food, and explores date palm feeding to livestock. The final section discusses the possibilities for nutritional and medicinal use and reviews the use of dates in indigenous medicine.

Exploring essential properties and agricultural implications, this volume is a reliable resource for understanding the many aspects of the Phoenix dactylifera Linn.

Dr. Manickavasagan obtained a PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Manitoba, Canada. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PEng) in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. After attaining his PhD, he worked with McCain Foods Limited (Canada) as a Scientist. Presently, he is an Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He has published more than 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.

Dr. M. Mohamed Essa obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from Annamalai University, India and did Post doctoral research in Neurosciences in NYSIBR, New York, USA. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman and Visiting Assistant Professor in Neuropharmacology group, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He conducts research in pharmacological approaches of natural products against neurological diseases by using various available models. He has published nearly 55 research articles in various peer-reviewed international journals and conferences and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases published by Wolters-Kluwer, USA.

Dr. Ethirajan Sukumar obtained PhD in Phytochemistry and Phytobiology from the University of Madras,India and did Postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia in the USA. He is an Assistant Professor at the Higher College of Technology, Muscat, Oman. Prior to full time teaching, he was a Research Scientist in the Central Research Institute of Siddha Medicine in Chennai, India for more than 26 years. During his research career, he worked on medicinal plants used in indigenous medical practices and published 52 research papers in peer-reviewed journals.