Abstract
Eastern prickly cactus (Opuntia humifusa) has a substantial therapeutic and dietary value. In this study, O. humifusa plants were fermented at 25 °C with cellulolytic enzymes (E, Viscozyme), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus paraplantarum (Lp), Streptococcus salivarius (Ss), and Weissella confusa (Wc) in various combinations: E, LWS (Lp:Wc:Ss = 1:1:1, v/v/v), and E with LAB (E-Lp, E-Ss, E-Wc, and E–LWS). Significantly lower viscosity (14.5 cP) and higher yield (>97.4%) were observed in O. humifusa extracts containing E (P < 0.05), whereas the extract with LWS showed the highest viscosity (36.9 cP) and lowest yield (58.8%). Total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of O. humifusa extract were enhanced, and flavonoid glycosides (isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside) were effectively converted to aglycones when fermentation was performed with E and LAB. The isorhamnetin and quercetin contents were highest in the E-Wc and E-LWS extracts fermented for 60 h. This study shows that the physical and functional properties of O. humifusa extract may be modulated by fermentation with selected LAB and cellulolytic enzymes.
Published Version
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