Integrated assessment of mycotoxins, physicochemical properties, and microbiological quality in fresh rutab dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from the UAE

Fresh rutab dates are widely consumed in the United Arab Emirates, yet information on their mycotoxin status remains limited compared with dried date products. This study characterized the physicochemical and microbiological quality of rutab dates and developed a targeted LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 11 mycotoxins in this high-sugar matrix. Rutab samples collected from markets and farms in three Emirates were analyzed for moisture, total sugars, yeast and mold counts, Escherichia coli , and multi-mycotoxin occurrence. The validated method showed good linearity (R 2 = 0.9944–0.9991), low detection limits, and acceptable precision for routine screening in rutab. No target mycotoxin was quantified above the method LOQ; only isolated trace responses were observed for AFG2, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A below the reporting capability of the method. Moisture content and total sugars averaged 40.20 ± 8.20% and 43.40 ± 8.87%, respectively. Yeast and mold counts varied markedly (<10 to 29,000 CFU/g), whereas E. coli was <3 MPN/g in all samples. Overall, the results indicate low mycotoxin-related concern in the analyzed rutab samples, while highlighting variable spoilage burden and the importance of postharvest handling and continued surveillance of fresh date products.