Enzyme activity and biochemical changes of three date palm cultivars with different softening pattern during ripening

► This study provides an overview of the physical-chemical properties of the date varieties. ► We found that these dates were rich in nutrition and proteins with lower moisture content especially at tamar stage. ► In addition, a single enzyme does not seem to be the uniquely responsible for fruit softening. ► It seems likely that the hydrolytic enzymes in our study act in conjunction with each other to cause the ripening of dates. ► Also they have different pattern during fruit growth, depend on fruit cultivars.