Cultivar and Harvest Month Influence the Nutrient Content of Opuntia spp. Cactus Pear Cladode Mucilage Extracts

Abstract

Mucilage extracted from cactus pear cladodes is a hydrocolloid gum. It is a novel, natural, low-kilojoule, cost-effective texture-modifying ingredient in functional food products. Yet, the cultivar with the most optimal nutrient content and the preferred harvest times are as yet unknown. For this reason, mucilage from three Opuntia ficus-indica (Algerian, Morado and Gymno-Carpo) and one Opuntia robusta (Robusta) cultivar were investigated to determine their nutrient content over six months. Nutrients that contribute energy (10.2 kJ/g) were low. The mineral content was high (ash 17.7/100 g), particularly calcium (3.0 g/100 g) and phosphorous (109.5 mg/kg). Low insoluble acid-detergent fibre (1.4 g/kg) and neutral-detergent fibre (2.1 g/kg) values indicated that mucilage was mostly soluble fibre. Calcium oxalate crystals were not detected in dried mucilage. Opuntia robusta powders had higher protein, extractable fat and potassium content, while Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage powders had higher polyunsaturated (Linoleic and α-Linolenic acid) fat content. O. robusta Robusta mucilage, harvested after the fruit harvest (February) had the lowest energy content and the highest mineral and protein content. Mucilage powders were highly soluble, low-kilojoule and mineral-rich. This is a functional ingredient that is produced from an easily cultivated crop, as cactus pears grow in areas with poor soil, extremely high daytime temperatures and limited water supplies.

Spectroscopic and Structural Analyses of Opuntia Robusta Mucilage and Its Potential as an Edible Coating

“…Superimposed fibers have been observed in chia mucilage and increase the complexity of the aggregates [15]; apparently, a similar behavior can be observed in the mucilage extracted from the parenchyma of Opuntia robusta. On the other hand, the high aggregation observed in the mucilage obtained from Opuntia robusta is in concordance with those reported by du Toit et al [16], indicating that Opuntia robusta has a higher fiber content that other Opuntia species.…”

“…parenchyma of Opuntia robusta. On the other hand, the high aggregation observed in the mucilage obtained from Opuntia robusta is in concordance with those reported by du Toit et al [16], indicating that Opuntia robusta has a higher fiber content that other Opuntia species.…”

Chemical and Mineral Composition, Kinetics of Degradation and in vitro Gas Production of Native Cactus

“…The total amount of nutrients in the plant increases with age, but the concentration in a given tissue may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged, depending on the nutrient and tissue. Seasonal changes in tissue nutrient concentrations occur, but they may result from changes in plant growth at a greater rate than changes in nutrient availability to the plant (Ai et al, 2017;du Toit et al, 2018). The plants need continuous supply of B for growth, this situation is justified by the high concentration of the element in the cell wall in structural form.…”

Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria in fresh plants and in silage from Opuntia and their effects on the fermentation and aerobic stability of silage

“…Opuntia can be conserved as silage, despite its high moisture content, due to the formation of mucilage that can decrease the water activity, controlling the development of clostridia and enterobacteria, besides reducing effluent losses (Gusha et al, 2013;Toit et al, 2018). However, the high concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) present in Opuntia may favour yeast growth, resulting in alcoholic fermentation and, thereby, high dry matter (DM) loss (Gusha et al, 2013(Gusha et al, , 2015Macêdo et al, 2018).…”