Chemical characterization of Opuntia dillenii and Opuntia ficus indica fruits

Traceability of Opuntia ficus‐indica L. Miller by ICP‐MS multi‐element profile and chemometric approach

“…In particular, we used: RF power, 1500 W; plasma gas flow rate, 15 L min −1 ; auxiliary gas flow rate, 0.9 L min −1 ; carrier gas flow rate, 1.1 L min −1 ; helium collision gas flow rate, 4 mL min −1 ; spray chamber temperature, 2 ∘ C; sample depth, 9 mm; sample introduction flow rate, 1 mL min −1 ; nebulizer pump, 0.1 RPS; extract lens 1 voltage, 1.5 V. The instrument was used in no-gas mode for Mn, Pb, Zn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, and in helium mode for Ni, As, Se, Cd, Fe, Cu, to remove spectral interference. Monitored isotopes, chosen to maximize sensitivity and to minimize interferences due to the matrix, were 24 Mg, 23 Na, 39 Calibration standards were prepared at concentration ranges suitable for the analytes investigated: from 0.020 to 5 μg g −1 for the elements As, Cd, Pb, Se Cu, Fe, Ni; from 0.050 to 20 μg g −1 for Na, Mn, Zn; from 0.5 to 100 μg g −1 for Ca, K, Mg, preliminarily diluted (1:50).…”

“…39 In fact, the combination of environmental factors such as sun exposure and pedoclimatic characteristics contributes to make cultivated products unique in quality and healthiness. 40 In this context great importance is attributed particularly to soil composition, which reflects the mineral profile of these fruits and, consequently, the specific organoleptic quality.…”

Potential use of new Colombian sources of betalains. Colorimetric study of red prickly pear (Opuntia dillenii) extracts under different technological conditions

“…Prickly pears of O. dillenii have a very intense red color and acidic taste, with a great number of seeds (Medina, Rodríguez, & Romero, 2007), and an average length and width around 4.0 and 3.2 cm, respectively (Touil, Chemkhi, & Zagrouba, 2010). Some studies about O. dillenii from different countries (Tunisia, Spain and Canada) have been reported on the basis of a general characterization: analysis of acidity, nitrogen or sugars (Touil et al, 2010), moisture,°Brix, total fiber, protein, fat, ash, pH, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and several minerals (Medina et al, 2007), and polysaccharides (Yang, Chen, Zhou, & Zhang, 2013).…”

“…Some studies about O. dillenii from different countries (Tunisia, Spain and Canada) have been reported on the basis of a general characterization: analysis of acidity, nitrogen or sugars (Touil et al, 2010), moisture,°Brix, total fiber, protein, fat, ash, pH, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and several minerals (Medina et al, 2007), and polysaccharides (Yang, Chen, Zhou, & Zhang, 2013). In addition, the analysis of antioxidant activity has been a widely studied parameter in this kind of cactus, both in the entire fruit or separately in pulp, peel and seeds (Chang, Hsieh, & Yen, 2008;Liu et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2013).…”

Efficacy of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea and Agave sisalana Extracts against Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)

“…They are also used as a substrate for the creation of the gender cochineal Dactylopius, producers of carminic acid (Medina, Rodríguez, & Romero, 2007). Among these, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.…”