Extraction and characterization of mucilage in Opuntia spp.

Comparative Physico-Chemical Characterization of the Mucilages of Two Cactus Pears (<i>Opuntia</i> Spp.) Obtained from Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia

“…The ability of Cactaceae to retain water under an unfavorable climatic condition is due, in part, to the water-binding capacity of mucilage [1]. Mucilage is a complex carbohydrate [2] with a highly branched structure, which contains varying proportions of L-arabinose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose and D-xylose, as well as galacturonic acid in different proportions [3,4]. However, the mucilage composition was found to differ among different cactus species and among different areas within a species [5].…”

“…Since recent times there are literatures that suggest on the potential use of cactus mucilage as flocculating agent [7] and thickening agents [4].…”

“…Even though percentage yield and few physico-chemical properties has been determined elsewhere [1,4,8], most of them are done on the mucilage of Opuntia ficus indica species type while little is done on the rest of Opuntia spp. Moreover, the yield and quality of mucilage varies as to the above sources.…”

Towards Drylands Biorefineries: Valorisation of Forage Opuntia for the Production of Edible Coatings

“…The mucilage was extracted according to Sepúlveda et al [16], with some modifications. After removing the spines, the cladodes were washed, cubed (1 cm 3 ) and heated in water (1:4 w/v) at 80 • C for three hours.…”

“…The extraction yield was 0.30 ± 0.08%, which is notably lower than previously reported values. Ruíz [10] obtained an extraction yield of 0.44%, while Sepúlveda et al [16] reported a mean extraction yield of 1.2%, both from O. ficus-indica. The variability in the yield may be due to differences in the used species and extraction methods, as well as in their age and environment.…”