Ethanol production by fermentation of fruits and cladodes of prickly pear cactus [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller]

Using prickly pear cladodes and fruits and different yeast strains of the genus Saccharomyces, both the chemical composition of the plant material and alcoholic fermentation were studied under controlled conditions. Before fermentation, fresh or previously dried cladodes were hydrolysed using cellulose or acid (HCl). The yield was determined by measurement of ethanol production by gas-liquid chromatography. Two conversion indices, representing either the percentage of reducing sugars or the energy converted into ethanol, were considered. Using fresh or dried cladodes without fruits, the best results were always obtained after performing both types of hydrolysis. The enzymic method gave the highest sugar yield. However, ethanol production was similar to that obtained by acid hydrolysis of fresh cladodes, and only slightly higher than that of previously dried cladodes. The potential ethanol production that could be obtained from prickly pear cultivation in various regions (arid, semi-arid and irrigated) is discussed.     

The effects of fermentation on the thermostability of the yellow-orange pigments extracted from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

 Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) juice with a total soluble solids content of 15.94 °Brix was fermented using the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A 94.54% conversion of fermentable sugar was achieved with an ethanol production of 55.3 ml/l. The pigment degradation was found to be 17% at the end of the time allowed for fermentation. However, the fermentation had actually ceased due to depletion of fermentable sugars after 12 h, a point at which only 9.4% pigment degradation was observed and there was no further total soluble solids degradation. The thermal stability of the yellow-orange pigment of the fermented juice was determined as a function of temperature at pH 5.0. The kinetic experiments were carried out at three different temperatures, 50, 70 and 90  °C. For a pseudo-first order thermal degradation rate the reaction rate constants were determined to be 0.0066, 0.0206 and 0.1244 min^–1 for temperatures of 50, 75 and 90  °C, respectively. The activation energy was calculated as 15.71 kcal mole^–1. The fermentation process did not affect the thermostability of the pigment extract. Received: 10 January 2000 / Revised version: 31 March 2000     

Study of the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes after convective drying

BACKGROUND: The process of convective drying was evaluated in terms of the bioactive compounds contained in nopal samples before and after dehydration. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, flavonol, carotene and ascorbic acid contents were determined in undehydrated and dehydrated samples. Two drying temperatures (45 and 65 °C) and two air flow rates (3 and 5 m s^?1) were evaluated. The rheology of samples under the best drying conditions was also studied, since it provides important information regarding processing (mixing, flow processing) as well as the sensory attributes (texture) of rehydrated samples. RESULTS: Non‐Newtonian shear‐thinning behaviour was observed for samples dried at 45 °C, while samples dried at 65 °C showed shear‐thickening behaviour, possibly caused by thermal chain scission of high‐molecular‐weight components. CONCLUSION: The best conditions for bioactive compound preservation were a drying temperature of 45 °C and an air flow rate of 3 m s^?1, resulting in 40.97 g phenols, 23.41 g flavonoids, 0.543 g β‐carotene and 0.2815 g ascorbic acid kg^?1 sample as shown in table 3. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of a starch film with bioextracts microencapsulated from cactus fruits (Opuntia oligacantha)

Food Science and Biotechnology - The use of unconventional sources is very relevant in the food area. In the present study the development of active films with the addition of bioextract (BE) or...     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa) fruit

The chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa, OH) fruit were investigated in this study. Major minerals in the OH fruit were P, Ca, and Mg. Total dietary fiber content was 22.8% and the soluble dietary fiber/insoluble dietary fiber ratio was 1:1.3. An 80% ethanol extract was used to investigate antioxidant activities based on DPPH radical scavenging ability as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content. OH fruit extract from 80% ethanol was sequentially fractionated according to the polarity of solvents. Among various fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity as well as the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other fractions. The most abundant phenolic acid in the ethyl acetate fraction was ferulic acid, followed by protocatechuic acid. The most abundant flavonoid was taxifolin, followed by myricetin. The results suggested that OH fruit could be a good potential source of antioxidant.     

Hair growth promoting effect of essence manufactured with products fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Backryeoncho (Opuntia ficus-indica var. sarboten) fruits in mice

Hair loss is a clinical problem that is becoming more common in the world but it is generally poorly controlled and more effective treatments are required. In this study, we evaluated the hair growth promoting effect of essence manufactured with products fermented by backryeoncho (Opuntia ficus-indica var. sarboten) fruits and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on hair growth in mice. The bacterial number after fermentation always remained higher than 6 log CFU/mL and the pH of those ranged from 4 to 6. Mice topically applied with 0.1 mL essence at once daily for 8 days after shaving furs of their back showed more significant hair growth promoting effect than that of minoxidil. Body weight and food intake of all groups didn’t show significant difference. Furthermore, histological evaluation showed that the essence containing fermented products markedly increased the depth and size of the hair follicles, as compared to the minoxidil.     

Flow behaviors of fruit and stem extracts from Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

Water extracts from the fruit and stem of Korean cactus (Opuntia humifusa, OH) showed a prototypical pseudo-plastic behavior. The pseudo-plasticity was increased with increasing concentration and decreasing temperature. The extract from the stems showed higher shear stress, consistency, and yield stress than that from fruits. The flows were examined at different concentrations, temperatures, pH, and salt content. The activation energies from fruits and stems increased from 4.127×10³ to 1.584×10³ J/kg·mol and from 16.162×10³ to 10.014×10³ J/kg·mol, respectively, as concentration increased. The concentration-dependant constant K1 from fruits and stems decreased from 0.233 to 0.185 mPa·s and from 30.476 to 66.198mPa·s, respectively, as temperature increased. The viscosity from fruits and stems increased as pH increased, while decreased as Ca²⁺ concentration increased. The unusual flow behaviors of stems and fruits might play a major role in developing food products using OH extracts.     

The effect of spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica f. inermis) supplementation on growth, carcass, meat quality and fatty acid composition of male goat kids

Lambs from two Turkish breeds, Kivircik a meat breed and Sakiz a breed used for milk and meat production, were fed a diet containing commercial concentrate and hay in the ratios of either 75:25 or 25:75. The effects on fatty acid composition were studied. After weaning (at about 8 weeks) a total of 40 male lambs (20 Kivircik, 20 Sakiz) were divided into four groups of 10 animals and fed either commercial concentrate or grass hay-based diets. The lambs were group fed indoors for 60 days. The mean intramuscular total fatty acid content of longissimus dorsi for Sakiz was lower than that for Kivircik lamb. Increasing the dried grass percentage in the ration decreased the final live weight of the lambs but intramuscular total fatty acid content increased (2088 vs. 1791mg/kg muscle, p<0.001). All n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in muscle from lamb fed dried grass-based diets than from lambs fed concentrate-based diets whereas all n-6 were higher in the latter. Polyunsaturated:saturated ratios were higher in the latter animals; 0.26 compared with 0.16 in the lambs fed grass hay. Concentrate groups displayed a higher n-6/n-3 ratio in the same muscle, 7.11 compared with 1.28 in the lambs fed grass. Muscle from Kivircik lambs had higher concentrations of C18:2 n-6 and its metabolite C20:4 n-6 (p<0.001) and also C18:3 n-3.     

Seasonal variations of chemical composition in prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) miller)

The moisture, ash, free reducing sugar, starch, ether extractive, crude protein, amino acid and the heat energy contents of young and mature cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, with or without fruits, are described. The measurements were made in each of the following stages of development: vegetative growth (March), full vegetative development, and at the beginning of fructification (October). Independently of developmental stage (different cladode types) the highest values were reached always in young cladodes in the following months: moisture content in March and October; ash and free reducing sugars in March; starch and ether extractive in September and October; crude protein in March and July. Crude fibre was maximal in September and global heat energy in October. The nutritive and caloric value of cladodes are compared to other products used for livestock nutrition.     

Effect of pH and temperature on the thermostability of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) yellow-orange pigments

The colour stability of the yellow-orange pigment (lambda max = 476 nm) of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit was determined as a function of temperature and pH. The experiments were carried out at three different temperatures (50, 70 and 90 degrees C) with pigment solutions at pH values ranging from 2-7. The degree of pigment retention decreased with increasing temperature as a function of increasing thermal exposure time with least pigment degradation at pH 5. The reaction rate constants were determined as 0.0062, 0.0383 and 0.1102 min-1 for a thermal degradation reaction rate of pseudo-first order. The activation energy was calculated as 65.1 kJ.mol-1.     

Ameliorating effects of a nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) complex on blood glucose in db/db mice

This study investigated the effects of a nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) complex (OF) on blood glucose metabolism in db/db mice for 4 weeks. Food and water intake significantly decreased in OF-treated mice compared to controls (p<0.05). In addition, blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were significantly reduced in the OF-treated group compared to the controls (p<0.05). Histopathological analysis showed that the morphology of pancreatic islets was improved in the OF-treated db/db mice. Immunohistochemistry of the pancreatic islets showed that insulin production and the number of β-cells apparently increased.     

Development and Characterization of Edible Films Based on Mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.)

Abstract: Mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) was extracted and characterized by its composition and molecular weight distribution. Mucilage film-forming dispersions were prepared under different pHs (3, 4, 5.6, 7, and 8) and calcium concentration (0% and 30% of CaCl₂, with respect to mucilage's weight), and their particle size determined. Mucilage films with and without calcium (MFCa and MF, respectively) were prepared. The effect of calcium and pH on mucilage films was evaluated determining thickness, color, water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), and percentage of elongation (%E). The average molecular weight of the different fractions of mucilage was: 3.4 × 10⁶ (0.73%), 1 × 10⁵ (1.46%), 1.1 × 10³ (45.79%), and 2.4 × 10² Da (52.03%). Aqueous mucilage dispersions with no calcium presented particles with an average size d(0.5) of 15.4 μm, greater than the dispersions with calcium, 13.2 μm. MFCa films showed more thickness (0.13 mm) than the MF films (0.10 mm). The addition of calcium increased the WVP of the films from 109.94 to 130.45 gmm/m²dkPa. Calcium and pH affected the mechanical properties of the films; the largest TS was observed on MF films, whereas the highest %E was observed on MFCa films. The highest differences among MF and MFCa films were observed at pHs 5.6 and 7 for TS and at pHs 4 and 8 for %E. No effect of pH and calcium was observed on luminosity and hue angle. Chroma values were higher for MF when compared with MFCa, and increased as pH of the films increased. Practical Application: In this study mucilage from nopal was extracted and characterized by its ability to form edible films under different pHs, and with or without the addition of calcium. Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage had the ability to form edible films. In general, it can be considered that mucilage films without modification of pH and without the addition of calcium have the best water vapor barrier properties and tensile strength. Mucilage from nopal could represent a good option for the development of edible films in countries where nopal is highly produced at low cost, constituting a processing alternative for nopal.     

Plant and fruit characteristics of cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) cultivars in South Africa

The cultivation of cactus pear requires low input and is therefore conducive to a sustainable system that will increase the efficiency and economic viability of the small and medium‐sized farms of low‐income farmers. The aim of this study was to determine fruit and plant characteristics of the 10 most commonly grown cactus pear cultivars in South Africa under rain‐fed, subtropical conditions. Skinners Court favoured vegetative growth. The fruit of Gymno Carpo had below average total soluble sugars. Roedtan had high cladode yield, while producing fruit of good quality, especially high total soluble sugar values, and quantity. Turpin and Meyers proved to have the highest fruit yield, fruit mass, cladode yield and number of cladodes pruned per plant. These cultivars can therefore be planted for both fruit production and for harvesting of cladodes for animal feed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Supercritical fluid extrusion: Die design and physicochemical properties of milk protein extrudates

Extrusion processing has been used to modify the functional properties of proteins. The protein-protein interactions, surface hydrophobicity, and rheological properties of milk protein concentrate extruded using dies of different geometries (circular, annular and slit) were quantified. With the same extrusion treatment history prior to the die, extrudates generated using dies with higher wall shear (slit 1.4 × 10⁴ s⁻¹ > annular 1.1 × 10⁴ s⁻¹ > circular 2.9 × 10³ s⁻¹) showed greater protein extractability, higher index of surface hydrophobicity, and enhanced water solubility index indicating significant breakdown of protein aggregates. Higher viscoelastic moduli (G' and G") and apparent viscosity were observed for slit die extrudate dispersions. However, low flow behavior indices (0.04–0.23(−)) and a high viscous activation energy (43 kJ/mol) of slit die extrudate dispersions implied their shear and temperature sensitivity, respectively. Thus, extrudate functionality can be optimized by selection of the appropriate die design.     

Amino and organic acids of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica L.)

The amino acids of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica L.) proteins, free amino acids and nonvolatile organic acids were determined on fresh and lyophilised young pads. The calculated biological value of prickly pear protein was 72.6, relative to egg protein. Trace amounts of malonic, malic and citric acids in material collected at 1800 hours; traces 0.95 and 0.31 mg g^?1, respectively. In similar material analysed at 0600 hours, the concentrations of those acids were 0.36, 9.85, and 1.78 mg g^?1, respectively. Since there was a significant accumulation of the acids during the evening, crassulacean-type metabolism is suggested.