Abstract

Dried fruits contained higher amount of energy and nutrient density compared to the fresh ones. This study was conducted to determine and compare the content of nutrients and polyphenols in dried dates, raisin, apricot and fig. Dried fruit samples were bought from three different stores in Selangor and analyzed in triplicates. AOAC (1997) standard methods were used for proximate analyses. The total sugar and polyphenol contents were determined using Dubois and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, respectively. Highest moisture content was found in dried apricots (35.26%) while the lowest one was in Mariami dates (21.68%). Dried apricots also contained highest total ash content (4.54%) while Safawi dates have the lowest one (2.45%). Dried figs contained the highest crude protein (3.93%) and fat contents (4.02%) while Safawi dates have lowest protein (2.57%) and fat (0.09%) contents. Total carbohydrates were highest in Safawi dates (72.81%) and lowest in dried apricots (56.09%). Highest total sugar content found in Mariami dates (48.61%) and lowest in dried apricots (10.35%). Total phenolic content in golden raisin contained significantly (p < 0.001) highest polyphenol content (562.15 mg GAE/100 g) than others while dried figs have the lowest one (151.04 mg GAE/100 g). Dried fruits analyzed in this study contained high nutrients and polyphenol contents which are suitable to be consumed as an alternative for snack, with a caution on the portion size due to the high sugar content.

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