The aim of the study was to analyze potential health-promoting components of caper flower buds (Capparis spinosa L.) at six stages of development in two cultivars. Polyphenol compounds (flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ols) were identified by Liquid Chromatography– quadrupole Time–of–Flight –Mass Spectrofotometer/Mass Spectrofotometer (LC-qTOF-MS/MS) and quantified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array-Fluorescence Detector (UPLC-PDA-FL). Moreover, antioxidant properties (ABTS+•, FRAP, and ORAC), anti-diabetic potential (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and anti-aging activity (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)) of the buds were examined. Total phenolic compounds in the investigated caper varied from 10,720 to 3256 mg/100 g dry weight (DW), and depended on a genotype and growing stage of caper flowers. Among six different growing stages, the one named ‘nonpareilles’ was characterized by significantly higher content of polyphenols than the remaining five stages. The flavonols in caper flowers represented a mixture of different glycosylated quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and isorhamnetin derivatives, accounting for 38%–67%, 15%–36%, 4%–7%, and 0.8%–3%, respectively, of total flavonols,. Their contents strongly depended on the growth stage. ‘Nonpareilles’ and ‘surfines’ were richer in flavonols than ‘fines’ and ‘gruesas’. Of the six investigated growth stages, ‘nonpareilles’ accumulated the greatest amounts of bioactive compounds that correlated with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, and were more potent BuChE than AChE inhibitors.

Some parameters related to nutritive and functional properties were evaluated in date fruit from seven date palms from the Elche grove along the maturation process, in order to obtain information about differences due to phenotypic variability. Results showed that sugar and organic acid concentration were different depending on date palm, the highest levels being reached at 100% Rutab stage, with glucose and fructose as the predominant sugars and malic acid as the major organic acid. Hydrophilic total antioxidant activity (HTAA) was high and correlated to phenolic content, with maxima levels being found at early, medium or late Khalal stages, depending on date palm. In addition, significant differences were found in both, phenolic concentration and HTAA among date palm and maturation stages, while lipophilic total antioxidant activity (LTAA) was very low, without changes along maturation and not correlated to HTAA. Then, date fruit from Elche grove could serve as a good source of natural antioxidant and it would be advisable to consume them at medium or late Khalal stages, in order to achieve the maxima nutritional (high concentration of sugars and organic acids), organoleptic (appropriated firmness levels, yellow or red color and low astringency) and functional properties with benefits to human health.

Physico-chemical and physiological changes during development and ripening of five loquat cultivars (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl., cv. Algerie, Cardona, Golden, Magdall and Peluche) were determined. Fruit growth showed a sigmoid curve in all loquat cultivars. A good relationship between duration of fast growth phase and fruit size was found. In addition, a positive correlation was also established between seed number and fruit size, and between seed weight and both fruit and flesh weight. Colour changes, sugar content increase and the decrease in fruit firmness and organic acids started simultaneously when loquat fruits were in the phase of fast growth, and at about 70-80% of their final weight. These physico-chemical changes related to fruit ripening coincided with an increase in both ethylene production rate and free and total 1-aminocyclopropane-1 -carboxylic acid (ACC) content in the flesh. In addition, a small respiration peak associated with ripening was also detected. These results indicated that loquat fruits of all five studied cultivars showed a pattern of ripening in the tree that could be classified as climacteric, with relatively low ethylene production evolving at an early phase of fruit development.