Nutritional Composition, Antinutritional Factors, Antioxidant Activities, Functional Properties, and Sensory Evaluation of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) Seeds Grown in Tigray Region, Ethiopia.

Tewelde Hailemicheal Reda,Mulubrhan Kahsay Atsbha

doi:10.1155/2019/5697052

Tewelde Hailemicheal Reda, Mulubrhan Kahsay Atsbha

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5697052

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Abstract

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) seed is one of the main components of fruit crops. The seed is tightly packed together in a mucilaginous structure inside the endocarp of the fruit. The present study investigated the nutritional composition, antinutritional factors, and phytochemical and sensory attributes of cactus pear seeds collected from Hatset Kebele, Hawzen Woreda, Tigray region. The sample provides 392.84 kcal/100g energy in dry weigh basis. The dietary Ca, K, P, Fe, and Zn contents of the sample accounted 390.14mg, 446.46mg, 206.18mg, 4.37mg, and 2.01mg per 100 g, respectively. Despite the high phytate content (259.20mg/100g), the sample had appreciable amount of antioxidant capacity (43 to 95% of inhibition). The sample also had high value of water solubility index (5.6g/100g) and low value of bulk density (0.80g/ml). The sensory evaluation revealed that consumption of “Himbasha” (traditional bread) formulated with wheat flour was more preferable up to the ratio of 85:15% (wheat/seed).

Highlights

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is commonly known as “prickly pear” and grouped under the Cactaceae family [1]
Crude protein (N x 6.25), crude fat, crude fiber, and total ash content of cactus pear seeds were determined according to the official method of AOAC [8], while carbohydrate was calculated by difference
Potassium was examined using flame photometer method and phosphorus content was determined by spectrophotometrically using official method of AOAC [8]

Summary

Introduction

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is commonly known as “prickly pear” and grouped under the Cactaceae family [1]. Cactus pear, which is locally known by the vernacular name of “Belles”, was introduced to Northern part of Tigray region between 1848 and 1870 by a Catholic Missionary, priest Abune Yakob. He adopted cactus pear with the realization of climatic and topographic unsuitability of the area for cropping and other agricultural activities. Cactus pear is widely spread throughout the region and is believed to cover more than 379,338 hectares of land, i.e., 7.4% of the total land of the region [4] Within this region, the uncultivated cactus area covers about 32,000 hectares of land

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Conclusion