Cactus pear cladodes powders as a source of dietary fibre: purification and properties

Abstract

Cactus pear cladodes of 2-3 years were used to obtain a natural purified dietary fibre and their physical, chemical and technological properties were determined. The effect of particle size and washing temperature on the technological properties was studied. Purification produces a decrease in green colour (a*) and an increase in total dietary fibre but reduces the total phenolic compounds, mainly when cladodes are washed at higher temperatures. Technological properties did not present changes in the water retention capacity (WRC), water adsorption capacity and cationic exchange capacity, but it did in swelling capacity (SC), oil absorption capacity, apparent density and setting density, which were influenced by the particle size of the cactus powders. The purified fibre shows a high WRC between 5.20 and 5.86 g g(- 1) and a high SC (7.02-8.27 mL g(- 1)). Purified fibre with a particle size between 600 and 1200 μm, independent of the washing temperature had better insoluble to soluble dietary fibre ratio, total phenolic content and technological properties.

Characterization of Calcium Compounds inOpuntia ficus indicaas a Source of Calcium for Human Diet

“…[26]. In this study, also weddellite crystals were detected (see Figure 1(b)) according to Malainine et al [14] and Saenz et al [25]. Figure 1(c) shows crystalline calcium oxalate in IDF extracted from O. ficus indica.…”

“…As it can be seen, the quantity of crystals in IDF is more than that detected in cladodes (see arrows). The size of druses ranged from 150 to 250 m; these crystals are larger than druses observed by Rodríguez-García et al [8] and Saenz et al [25]. These authors reported that the crystal size of whewellite of O. ficus indica cladodes (from 60 to 200 g of weight) ranged from 30 to 70 m. At this point, it is important to mention that, in the present study, the weight of cladodes was 400 g (100 days of age) and the oxalate crystal size increases as a function of maturation [26].…”

Dietary fibre concentrate from Chilean algarrobo (Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) pods: Purification and characterization

“…(2006) in Prosopis laevigata (10.0 g/100 g). An increase in the protein content after the purifying process was also reported by Sáenz et al. (2012) in cactus pear powder.…”

“…No differences were observed in RA, and PPF showed higher values in ET. The bulk densities of PF and PPF were low and similar to those observed in pineapple fibre (0.426 g/mL; Larrauri et al., 1995), barley bran (0.478 g/mL; Fernández and Rodríguez, 2001), and cactus pear cladodes powder (0.35–0.45 g/mL; Sáenz et al., 2012). However, the SD was higher than BD, similar to that reported by Larrauri et al.…”

“…Figuerola et al. (2005) obtained fibre concentrates from apples, grapefruits, lemons, and oranges through water washing (30℃) to remove sugars and soluble compounds, while Sáenz et al. (2012) used different temperatures to purify a cactus powder.…”