Evaluation of Nutritional, Physico-Chemical and Function Properties of Cactus Pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Pulp and Cladode: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluation of chemical, functional, and nutritional components of both pulp and cladode. The results indicated that cladode had higher moisture content (90.7%) and ash content (1.54%) compared to the pulp. While the cladode showed higher amount of protein content (1.08%), crude fiber (3.03%), crude fat (0.63%) and total carbohydrate (17.2%) compared to cladode. The significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher pH (6.96), TSS (18.45 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.18%) were recorded in pulp of cactus pear compared to cladode. The range of mineral contents such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and zink were recorded between (0.16–96.45), (2.34–16.23), (5.64–16.65), (27.16–33.55), and (50.56–65.94) (μg/100 g DW), respectively. It could be noticed that pulp of cactus pear had a higher content of vitamin C(75.07 mg/100 g FW) and lower content of carotenoids (2.41 μg/ml FW) as compared to cladode. The statically significant (P ≤0.05) and higher amino acids were found in cladode of cactus pear; the Valine (0.40–3.71 g/100 g) and Serine (1.74–3.34 g/100 g) were found higher in cladode. The high phenolic (2.2 g/100 g) and tannin content (2.55 g/100 g) compared to cladode extract 1.03 g/100 g (2.34 g/100 g) on dry basis, respectively. Phytic acid content was higher in cladode (0.55 g/100 g DW) than in the pulp (0.34 g/100 g DW). Pulp and cladode values were similar to each other for Sophisticated analytical Saponins contents 0.55 g/100 g DW. Sophisticated analytical approaches will promote the use of the cactus plants in foods, medicines, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.