Stage-specific nutritional blueprints of date fruit revealed by integrated LC–MS metabolomics and ICP–OES profiling

The biochemical changes during date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) maturation were studied using untargeted LC–MS metabolomics and ICP–OES mineral profiling across four ripening stages (Hababouk, Kimri, Rutab, and Tamr). Metabolite analysis showed stage-specific shifts in organic acids, flavonoids, lipids, and sugars, with early stages rich in antioxidants (malic acid, ferulic acid, diosmin) and minerals. Later stages accumulated simple sugars, prebiotic oligosaccharides (stachyose), and cardioprotective polyphenols (apigenin glycosides, procyanidin B2, niacin). Mineral content gradually decreased from Hababouk to Tamr, except for sodium, which peaked during Rutab, likely due to dehydration-related ionic adjustments. Ripening stages exhibited enriched carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism pathways, with key metabolites associated with neurological, metabolic, and cancer disorders. These results create a compositional profile linking fruit development to nutritional benefits: mineral- and antioxidant-rich extracts from early stages, neuroprotective compounds from Rutab, and energy-rich prebiotic foods from Tamr. Combining metabolomic and mineral data offers valuable insights for optimizing harvest timing, designing functional foods, and developing nutraceuticals.