Abstract
AbstractBarbary fig called prickly pear is a plant belonging to family Cactaceae growing under hard climate conditions. A spiny variety of prickly pear named “Drbana” (Opuntia megacantha) and two non-spiny varieties named “Akria” and “Mlez” (Opuntia ficus-indica) growing in the Rhamna region (Morocco) were studied in terms of physicochemical characteristics. The physicochemical characterization (humidity, water activity, pH, total titratable acidity, Brix, and ash content) and the biochemical characterization (total carotenoid content, betalain content, total polyphenolic content, and ascorbic acid content) of the fruit pulp of prickly pear were performed according to the previously reported methods. The finding of physicochemical characterization of all studied varieties showed that the fruit pulp also contained an interesting bioactive compound classes in humidity, water activity, pH, total titratable acidity, Brix, and ash content. Regarding the biochemical characterization, the obtained finding showed the fruit pulp also contained an interesting bioactive compound classes particularly the total betalains, polyphenols, carotenoids, and ascorbic acids. Based on the obtained results in the current research work, we can affirm that the fruits of all studied varieties meet the requirement for being exploited in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
Highlights
Pear (Barbary fig) is a plant belonging to family Cactaceae, which is characterized by considerable genetic diversity, including 2,000 species springing from over 20 to 30 genera [1]
In Morocco, the cultivation of prickly pear has increased from 45,000 ha in early 1990 to more than 1,50,000 due to efforts exercised by the government in plant cultivation
This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical content in the fruit pulp of three prickly pear varieties named “Drbana” (Opuntia megacantha), “Akria”, and “Mlez” (Opuntia ficus-indica) growing in the Mediterranean region under hard climate conditions
Summary
Pear (Barbary fig) is a plant belonging to family Cactaceae, which is characterized by considerable genetic diversity, including 2,000 species springing from over 20 to 30 genera [1]. It is native to the arid and semi-arid areas of Mexico. It has been cultivated in Africa since the sixteenth century [2]. In Morocco, the cultivation of prickly pear has increased from 45,000 ha in early 1990 to more than 1,50,000 due to efforts exercised by the government in plant cultivation. Pear is an important component of the human diet due to its organoleptic and nutritional properties. It has considerable potential for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Prickly pear fruits contain betalain pigments (betacyanins and betaxanthins), as reported in earlier published data [4]
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