Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Opuntia genus includes several species able to grow in arid regions and known for producing delicate fruits,
which are far from being thoroughly characterized. Herein, fruits from O. macrorhiza and O. microdasys were
divided in skins and pulps (without including seeds) and studied for chemical composition, individual phytochemicals
and bioactivity. The major volatiles were camphor and ethyl acetate, while citric acid was the main
organic acid. The fatty acids detected in highest percentages were linoleic acid (skins) and lauric acid (pulps); α-
tocopherol was the major isoform of vitamin E. Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin-O-(deoxyhexoside-rutinoside)
were the main phenolics in fruit skins of O. macrorhiza and O. microdasys (respectively), similarly to
piscidic acid in O. macrorhiza pulp (O. microdasys pulp showed no quantifiable compounds). Betanin and isobetanin
were the major betalains. All samples were antioxidant (particularly O. macrorhiza), but antimicrobial
activity was only detected in skins. Cytotoxicity was low in all cases. Overall, these fruits proved to be potential
new ingredients for food or pharmaceutical related applications, adding value to these natural species able to
grow in arid environments.
Description
Keywords
Bioactivity Edible fruits Hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds Opuntia spp. Phenolics and betalains Volatiles
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Chahdoura, Hassiba; Barreira, João C.M.; Barros, Lillian; Dias, Maria Inês; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Flamini, Guido; Soković, Marina; Achour, Lotfi; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2019). Bioactivity, hydrophilic, lipophilic and volatile compounds in pulps and skins of Opuntia macrorhiza and Opuntia microdasys fruits. LWT. ISSN 0023-6438. 105, p. 57-65