Abstract
Cactus Opuntia dillenii presents multiple health benefits. The current study aims to investigate the seed composition and content of prickly pear fruits from Iraq. Results obtained showed that Opuntia dillenii contained 9.5% of seeds of the entire fruit while extracted oil presented 6.5% of total seed composition. Fatty acid analysis revealed that the polyunsaturated linoleic acid (72.9%), the saturated palmitic acid (15.12%) and stearic acid (7.51%) presented the main seed fatty acids of Opuntia dilleniid. Other essential oils were detected but at low percentage. Interestingly, stearic acid content in Cactus oil presented 7.51%, which is much higher than soybeans (~3%) that are considered as the largest source of animal protein feed and the second largest source of vegetable oil worldwide. Stearic acid presents neutral effects on the concentration of blood serum LDL cholesterol and does not exhibit cholesterolemic effects on human health. The analysis of cactus seed oil demonstrated a strong antioxidant ability estimated by their capability to reduce oxidation. Treated cake with BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) at concentration of 0.02 mg/100g of butter from cactus seed-oil exhibited lower peroxide values ranging from 0.67 to 1.5 milli-equivalents (meq) peroxide per 1 kg of oil throughout 15 days of storage time at 4 °C. In contrast, treated cake with 0.11 mg/100g of butter from cactus seed-oil presented lower peroxide values ranged from 0.69 to 2.5 meq peroxide per 1 kg of oil among all treatments. Because of its high-saturated fatty acid composition (>22%) and rich linoleic acid (72.9%) composition, Opuntia dillenii present an alternative source with several health benefits by lowering cholesterol risks and for biodiesel production.
Highlights
Cactus Opuntia dillenii is massively grown in the South of Iraq, especially in Basrah city (Al-Fao)
The main objectives of this study were (1) determination of minerals compounds from dry seeds Cactus Opuntia dillenii grown in Basrah city, (2) analyze the extracted seed-oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their fatty acid composition and other essential oils that may be present, (3) explore the feasibility of development of added cake value from essential oils, and (4) determination of the antioxidant activity of Cactus seedoil by measuring the peroxide value of the cake to understand the inhibitory oxidation effect of extracted Cactus seed-oil after storage by refrigeration
Yield percentage analysis showed that the seeds contained in the pulp of Opuntia dillenii constituted about 9.5% of the fruit pulp
Summary
Cactus Opuntia dillenii is massively grown in the South of Iraq, especially in Basrah city (Al-Fao). Recent studies have highlighted the presence of multiple benefits for human health and medicine in natural cactus.[1,2] It has been shown that Opuntia dillenii has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemia, and hypocholesterolemic effects.[3,4] During the last decade, consumer demand for food with high nutritional value has increased as a result of their high-fat (fatty acids) content, as well as health benefits, which have created a new category known asfunctional foods.[5,6] Cactus is rich in minerals with inorganic nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc usually required in small amounts (1 to 2500 mg per day). Copper, and zinc are important cofactors that can be found in the structure of certain enzymes and indispensable in numerous biochemical pathways.[9]
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