Red Pitaya Research Articles

Anti-diabetic activity of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit

This study investigated the anti-diabetic activity of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit.

Quality Changes of Red Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Slices Dried in Hot Air, Microwave-Hot Air and Microwave-Vacuum Dryers

Quality changes of red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) slices dried in hot air, microwave-hot air and microwave-vacuum dryers were investigated. The quality parameters were colour, water activity, shrinkage, rehydration ratio, ascorbic acid content and visual market quality. Microwave-vacuum produced pitaya with the best quality compared to hot air and microwave-hot air. Pitaya dried in microwave-vacuum had the highest rehydration ratio while the other methods presented similar rehydration ratios. Ascorbic acid in dried pitaya was also better retained when drying by microwave-vacuum. Apart from that, the drying time of pitaya dried in microwave-vacuum could be reduced by 83% compared to hot air.

Optimization of Extraction of Novel Pectinase Enzyme Discovered in Red Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Peel

Plant peels could be a potential source of novel pectinases for use in various industrial applications due to their broad substrate specificity with high stability under extreme conditions. Therefore, the extraction conditions of a novel pectinase enzyme from pitaya peel was optimized in this study. The effect of extraction variables, namely buffer to sample ratio (2:1 to 8:1, X1), extraction temperature (−15 to +25 °C, X2) and buffer pH (4.0 to 12.0, X3) on specific activity, temperature stability, storage stability and surfactant agent stability of pectinase from pitaya peel was investigated. The study demonstrated that the optimum conditions for the extraction of pectinase from pitaya sources could improve the enzymatic characteristics of the enzyme and protect its activity and stability during the extraction procedure. The optimum extraction conditions cause the pectinase to achieve high specific activity (15.31 U/mg), temperature stability (78%), storage stability (88%) and surfactant agent stability (83%). The most desirable conditions to achieve the highest activity and stability of pectinase enzyme from pitaya peel were the use of 5:1 buffer to sample ratio at 5 °C and pH 8.0.

Efeito da remoção da mucilagem na germinação e vigor de sementes de Hylocereus undatus Haw

Red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus Haw.) is a tropical fruit species that is being sought because of its attractive appearance to the consumers, with organoleptic flavor, slightly sweet, and thus has shown a promising alternative for producers. This work aimed to study the effect of different methods of removal of mucilage on germination and seed vigor of red pitaya. The seeds were removed from ripe fruits and subjected to the following treatments: control - seeds with mucilage, manual extraction of the mucilage in nylon mesh (2 mm) in running water, manual extraction in nylon mesh + lime, soaking in a solution of 1:2 HCl for 1 hour and natural fermentation for five days. After completion of the removal of mucilage, the seeds were distributed in gerbox on two sheets of filter paper moistened with distilled water, kept in a germination chamber at a constant temperature of 25 ºC. The variables evaluated were the germination considering the seedlings as normal and abnormal, dormant seed and dead and index of velocity of germination. Removal of mucilage influenced the seed germination of pitaya red, indicated the immersion of seeds in a solution of HCl for 1 hour.

Profundidade de plantio e dominância apical na estaquia de pitaia vermelha

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of planting depth and breaking apical dominance on cutting of red pitaya Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications in a 2x3 factorial, with two kinds of cuttings (with or without apical dominance), cutting not sectioned and sectioned at 5 cm from the upper portion, and three planting depths (1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 cm) and each plot consisted of ten 20 cm long cuttings. After 60 days of planting, counts of the number of shoots were began weekly and 90 days after planting survival rooting, number and length of shoots, dry weight of shoots and root dry mass were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and polynomial regression at 5% significance level. The percentage of rooting and the survival were 100% in all treatments. With increasing depth of planting it was observed linear reduction in numbers of shoots, dry weight of shoot and root dry mass. The cladodes with apical dominance had longer shoots. The planting of red pitaya cuttings at 1 cm of planting depth with apical dominance is more suited to the production of nursery plants.

Características físico-químicas e atividade antioxidante total de pitaias vermelha e branca

This study aimed at evaluating the physicochemical characteristics and the total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the red and white pytaias peel and pulp. Centesimal composition, vitamin C, total phenolics and TAA were determined in pitayas pulp and peel samples. TAA was determined by using two methodologies: β-carotene/linoleic acid system and free DPPH radical for scavenging activity. Both the pitayas peels and pulps showed high moisture content and low protein and lipid contents. The total food fiber and ashes contents were significantly higher in pitayas peels, and the highest glucide contents and of energy were found in the pulps. The average contents of vitamin C ranged from 17.73 to 20.69 (mg.100 g-1) in pulps and from 22.21 to 24.05 (mg.100 g-1) in peel samples. The red pitaya peel showed the lowest total phenolics contents (77.22 mg EAG.100g-1). The pitayas samples demonstrated a high TAA in beta-carotene/linoleic acid system methodology and low TAA by DPPH. The red pitaya showed the highest TAA values, especially in pulp samples. The antioxidant and the chemical characteristics of the red and white pitayas may contribute to a beneficial diet for human health.

Isolation and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Fermented Red Dragon Fruit Juices

Red dragon fruit or red pitaya is rich in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Its nutritional properties and unique flesh color have made it an attractive raw material of various types of food products and beverages including fermented beverages or enzyme drinks. In this study, phenotypic and genotypic methods were used to confirm the identity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) appeared in fermented red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) beverages. A total of 21 isolates of LAB were isolated and characterized. They belonged to the genus of Enterococcus based on their biochemical characteristics. The isolates can be clustered into two groups by using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method. Nucleotide sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism of the 16S rRNA region suggested that they were either Enterococcus faecalis or Enterococcus durans. Current research revealed the use of biochemical analyses and molecular approaches to identify the microbial population particularly lactic acid bacteria from fermented red dragon fruit juices.

The Photoperiod-regulated Bud Formation of Red Pitaya (Hylocereus sp.)

Red pitaya (Hylocereus sp.), which flowers between May and October and sprouts between November and May in Taiwan, has been confirmed to be a long-day plant. The areoles on the old shoots may be induced to flower after the March equinox naturally, and the floral bud formation occurs in two to three waves from May to October. We conducted experiments on photoperiodic regulation of floral bud formation from June to Dec. 2009 and tested the feasibility of off-season production in 2011. Shortening summer daylength to 8 h inhibited the areoles at the distal end of the shoots to develop into floral buds and promoted sprouting at the proximal ends of the shoots. Night-breaking treatment between the September equinox and the winter solstice led to floral bud formation. The critical daylength seemed to be ≈12 h, and night-breaking treatment would be applicable between the September and the next March equinoxes to produce off-season crops. The duration of night-breaking required for flower differentiation was longer in the cooler than in the warmer season. Four weeks of night-breaking treatment was sufficient to promote flowering in late fall (mid-October to mid-November), but 3 months were required to generate similar result in the winter and early spring (January to March) in southern Taiwan.

Chemical characterization of Central American pitaya ( Hylocereus sp.) seeds and seed oil

Central American red pitaya (Hylocereussp.) seeds were studied for their chemical and nutritional traits with particular reference to the fatty acid (FA) profile of the seed oil. Proximate seed composition averaged 352 g/kg, 302 g/kg, 296 g/kg, 206 g/kg, 126 g/kg, and 21 g/kg for total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, moisture, and ash, respectively. FA composition of pitaya seed oil determined by GC–MS and quantified by GC-FID was dominated by unsaturated FAs (753 g/kg). Interestingly, linoleic acid was found to be the only polyunsaturated and most abundant FA (466 g/kg), whereas palmitoleic (3 g/kg), oleic (239 g/kg), and cis-11-vaccenic acid (45 g/kg) were the major monounsaturated FAs. Palmitic (182 g/kg), stearic (49 g/kg), and arachidic acid (18g/kg) represented the saturated FA fraction. Iodine absorption value, saponification number and free fatty acid value amounted to 105.6 g I2/100 g, 235.7 mg KOH/g, and 1.9 mg KOH/g, respectively.

Qualidade de frutos de pitaya em função da época de polinização, da fonte de pólen e da coloração da cobertura

A pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) é uma cactácea propagada vegetativamente, o que resulta em pequena ou nula variabilidade nos plantios comerciais. Devido a diversos estudos mostrarem que a espécie é auto ou parcialmente incompatível, realizou-se este trabalho com o intuito de verificar a eficiência de polinização da pitaya autofecundada e utilizando-se de pólen de H. polyrhizus e Selenicereus setaceus, além da influência da época do ano e da coloração da cobertura da tela plástica na qualidade dos frutos. O experimento foi realizado na Área de Fruticultura da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal, num delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 X 2 X 2 (três espécies doadoras de pólen X duas colorações de cobertura de sombrite, branca e preta, com 50% de sombreamento X duas épocas do ano), com quatro repetições para cada espécie doadora de pólen, em cada uma das coberturas. As flores foram emasculadas em duas épocas (março e abril) e polinizadas manualmente. As variáveis avaliadas foram porcentagem de pegamento dos frutos, características físicas e químicas dos frutos (comprimento e diâmetro, massas total, de polpa e de casca, % de polpa, espessura da casca, pH, teor de sólidos solúveis (ºBrix), teor de vitamina C, acidez titulável, índice de maturação - ST/AT) e dias da antese até a colheita. Não houve frutificação nas flores autopolinizadas, enquanto as polinizadas com pólen de H. polyrhizus e S. setaceus obtiveram 100% de pegamento. Pode-se concluir que há necessidade de interplantio de plantas de H. undatus (clone avaliado) com H. polyrhizus ou S. setaceus para a ocorrência de frutificação, sendo que a utilização de H. polyrhizus como doadora de pólen proporciona a obtenção de frutos com maior massa e menor acidez. As condições climáticas ocorridas durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos, nas épocas estudadas, afetaram a qualidade dos frutos.

EVALUACIÓN DE PLANTAS DE PITAYA (Stenocereus spp) DE POBLACIONES NATURALES DE MONTE ESCOBEDO, ZACATECAS

In Zacatecas, the pitayas (Stenocereus spp) exist in several municipalities where they are collected for local consumption, although in recent years, in the municipality of Monte Escobedo, Zac., it has become a crop of high prospects for commercialization. Therefore, in this work an evaluation was made of four phenotypes of pitaya (according to the color of the mature fruit: yellow, white, purple and red). The fruits were harvested in commercial maturity. The following were evaluated in the plant: stem diameter, plant height, number of shoots per plant and number of fruits per shoot. In the fruit, the following were evaluated: fruit weight, pulp weight, peel weight, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, firmness, total sugars, reducing sugars, pH, titratable acidity and protein content in seeds and pulp. Yellow pitayas exhibited greater plant height with respect to the purple and a height equal to that of white and red. The yellow pitayas had a greater number of shoots per plant compared with the white and red. With respect to stem diameter, the yellow pitaya was smaller than other phenotypes. The purple pitayas presented a higher number of shoots with fruit than the white and red varieties. Due to the characteristics of fruit length, weight of rind, pulp and fruit, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acids, protein content in pulp and seed, the red pitaya fruits are an option with potential for production and commercialization.

Antioxidant Activity of Different Extracts of Red Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Seed

Antioxidant activity of three different extracts (ethanolic, chloroformic, and hexanic) of red flesh pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) seed using free radical scavenging assay, linoleic acid model system, and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method was determined. Ethanolic extract inhibit 74.76% of free radicals at 1000 μg/mL, while chloroformic extract gave the highest inhibition using linoleic acid model system (98.90% at 100 μg/mL) and FTC (96.34%) method. Total phenolic and ascorbic acid contents of the seed were 13.56 ± 2.04 and 0.36 ± 0.01 mg/g, respectively, while catechin was the major flavonoid detected. In conclusion, the study showed that both polar and non-polar compounds contribute to the antioxidative activity measured.

Nutraceutical potential and antioxidant benefits of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) extracts

Polyphenols from flesh and peels of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit were quantified by employing an extract sub-fractionation procedure applied for the first time to this fruit. Higher polyphenolic contents than those from the literature were measured by using analogous spectroscopic techniques to those reported in previous works. Betacyanin fractions exhibited the highest reducing and radical-scavenging capacities among the extracts and fractions tested by FRAP and DPPH assays, respectively. Finally, polyphenolic fractions showed a broad antimicrobial spectrum by inhibiting the growth of all of food-borne pathogens tested, while the non-fractionated extracts revealed a very low or no activity. Results indicated flesh as a good source of antioxidants with healthy benefits for human diet and peels as a valuable manufacture by-product to be exploited for the formulation of nutraceuticals and food applications.

Produção e qualidade de frutos de pitaia-vermelha com adubação orgânica e granulado bioclástico

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da adubação orgânica e a aplicação de granulado bioclástico na produção e na qualidade de frutos de pitaia-vermelha. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com oito adubações: testemunha, esterco de curral, cama de frango, granulado bioclástico, esterco de curral + cama de frango, esterco de curral + granulado bioclástico, cama de frango + granulado bioclástico e esterco de curral + cama de frango + granulado bioclástico, aplicadas a cada três meses desde setembro de 2008, com três repetições, e a parcela experimental composta por quatro plantas. Foram avaliados os frutos em fevereiro/março de 2010. Após a colheita dos frutos foram retirados cladódios das plantas para a realização das análises dos teores de nutrientes contidos na matéria seca, em julho de 2010. As análises feitas nos frutos foram: diâmetro transversal, diâmetro longitudinal, massa, rendimento de polpa, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis e ratio. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Scott-Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. As plantas adubadas com esterco de curral + cama de frango produziram maior número de frutos por planta, e a adição de granulado bioclástico favoreceu a qualidade dos frutos de pitaia-vermelha.

EFFECTS OF COMMERCIAL PECTINASES APPLICATION ON SELECTED PROPERTIES OF RED PITAYA JUICE

ABSTRACTPitaya or dragon fruits are becoming more popular in Malaysia due to their nutritional benefits. These exotic fruits can be utilized to produce many functional products such as fruit juice. This work examined the effects of commercial enzymes, i.e., Pectinex Ultra SP‐L and Pectinex CLEAR on the chemical composition, vitamin C and total polyphenols contents of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) juice, which is the most popular variety of pitaya. We have also observed the differences of these properties in fresh fruit pulp and juice produced without enzymatic treatment. The pitaya juice produced after enzymation and pasteurization has not shown marked changes in the most of its major chemical parameters such as moisture, ash, fat, carbohydrate and calorie. However, enzymation using Pectinex CLEAR leads to the juice with higher yield of protein. The protein content after the treatment increased to 2.20% w/w from 0.23% w/w of the raw juice. Vitamin C content in treated samples had reduced slightly because of the heat treatment. However, phenolics amounts were slightly higher up to 7% in the treated samples which suggest that pitaya beverage is rich in antioxidant capacity than in the unprocessed fruit. This study demonstrated the effects of pectinases application on several properties of red pitaya juice with an attempt to obtain some interesting and valuable data for the fruit processing industries. The data obtained were helpful for the optimization of red pitaya juice production as a step toward promoting the potential of red pitaya juice as a functional beverage.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis paper aims to provide some useful data for pitaya or dragon fruit juice production. Since not much work has been done on this, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of commercial enzymatic treatment on clarification of red pitaya juice. Pectinase enzymes have been used in this study to help improve the quality of the juice physically and at the same time preserve some of the important properties of the juice such as vitamin C and total polyphenols contents. The process developed is considered suitable and very helpful for the processing of pitaya or dragon fruit processing.

Fenologia reprodutiva de pitaia vermelha no município de Lavras, MG

O estudo do comportamento fenológico pode contribuir para melhorar a produtividade das culturas e a qualidade dos frutos. O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a fenologia reprodutiva da pitaia vermelha em Lavras, MG, Brasil. Foram avaliados em cem plantas de pitaia vermelha (Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose) os períodos das subfases desde a emissão das gemas até a maturação dos frutos de 2008 a 2010. O botão floral se desenvolve no período de 19 a 21 dias. A antese é noturna que dura aproximadamente 15 horas. A maturação do fruto ocorre de 30 a 40 dias após a abertura da flor, quando o fruto adquire a coloração rosa a vermelho intenso e a textura firme. Em Lavras, MG o período reprodutivo da pitaia ocorre de novembro a maio e tempo do aparecimento do botão floral até a colheita do fruto é de 50 a 60 dias.

Adubação orgânica com granulado bioclástico favorece crescimento de pitaia vermelha

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth of red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) subjected to organic fertilization and calcified seaweed application. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with eight fertilization: control, cattle manure, chicken manure, calcified seaweed, cattle manure + chicken manure, cattle manure + calcified seaweed, chicken manure + calcified seaweed and cattle manure + chicken manure + calcified seaweed, applied every three months, with three replications and plot consisted of four plants. There were no significant differences in the length and in the number of central cladodes. There were significant differences in the number of side cladodes removed and in cladodes above the support. Fertilization with cattle manure + chicken manure + calcified seaweed favored the growth of red pitaya.

Adequação da metodologia para o teste de germinação de sementes de pitaia vermelha

Hylocereus undatus (Haw.), popularmente conhecida como pitaia vermelha é uma cactácea para a qual se tem registrado um aumento de consumo nos últimos anos e, por ser ainda pouco explorada, vários aspectos referentes à sua propagação ainda são desconhecidos. Até o momento, não existem critérios para a execução de testes de germinação para sementes dessa espécie, publicados nas Regras para Análise de Sementes. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com este trabalho adequar a metodologia quanto ao substrato, temperatura e tempo de contagem inicial e final para o teste de germinação. Foram testados quatro substratos (rolo de papel, areia, vermiculita e solo) e quatro temperaturas (20, 25, 30 e 20-30°C). O efeito dos substratos no desempenho germinativo das sementes foi avaliado pelo teste de germinação e de primeira contagem instalado com quatro subamostras de 50 sementes. Foram feitas contagens diárias do número de plântulas emergidas até atingirem a estabilidade e, no final do experimento, foram avaliados a porcentagem de germinação das sementes, considerando as plântulas normais, anormais e sementes mortas. Concluiu-se que o teste de germinação de sementes de pitaia vermelha deve ser realizado à temperatura constante de 25°C em rolo de papel, com contagens inicial e final aos cinco e dez dias após a semeadura, respectivamente.

Comparative Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Red and White Pitayas and Their Correlation with Flavonoid and Polyphenol Content

Pitaya, commonly known as dragon fruit, has generated considerable consumer interest because of its attractive color and micronutrient content. The present study investigated the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity against various free radicals, and antiproliferative effect on several cancer cell lines of extracts of flesh and peel of white and red pitayas, collected from Jeju Island, Korea. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of 80% methanol extracts of red pitaya peel (RPP) and white pitaya peel (WPP) were approximately 3- and 5-fold higher than those of red pitaya flesh (RPF) and white pitaya flesh (WPF), respectively. Overall, the total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of these extracts were RPP>WPP>RPF>WPF and WPP>RPP>RPF>WPF, respectively. In addition, a study involving nontargeted high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS) of different pitaya extracts indicated the presence of phenolic, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonol glycosides, betacyanin, and its derivatives with a few unknown compounds. Separately, peel extracts of both red and white pitayas showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and alkyl radical-scavenging activity than did the corresponding flesh extracts. Both peel extracts also showed stronger antiproliferative activity against AGS and MCF-7 cancer cells than either flesh extract. There was a direct correlation between the phenolic content and antioxidant effect, but no correlation observed between antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity. These results suggest that the peel of white and red pitaya may be a valuable ingredient in foods and may also be useful in cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.

Variabilidade genética de acessos de pitaya com diferentes níveis de produção por meio de marcadores RAPD

A espécie de pitaya mais cultivada atualmente é Hylocereus undatus, a pitaya-vermelha-de-polpa-branca. Colômbia e México são os principais produtores mundiais e, devido à sua rusticidade, a pitaya é considerada uma alternativa potencialmente viável também para o aproveitamento de solos pedregosos, arenosos e maciços rochosos. Apesar da crescente demanda, ainda não há uma cultivar lançada no mercado que atenda às necessidades climáticas de produção e às exigências do consumidor brasileiro. O presente trabalho é parte do programa de seleção e melhoramento da pitaya CPAC PY-01 da Embrapa Cerrados. Objetivou-se realizar o estudo da variabilidade genética de 16 acessos de pitayas mantidos na coleção de germoplasma da Embrapa Cerrados, apresentando diferentes características fenotípicas relacionadas especialmente à produção, por meio de marcadores moleculares RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). O DNA genômico de cada acesso foi extraído, e onze iniciadores decâmeros foram utilizados para a obtenção de marcadores moleculares RAPD, que foram convertidos em matriz de dados binários, a partir da qual foram estimadas as distâncias genéticas entre os acessos e realizadas análises de agrupamento e de dispersão gráfica. Foram obtidos 111 marcadores RAPD, perfazendo uma média de 10,1 marcadores por primer, dos quais 45 (40,54%) foram polimórficos. As distâncias genéticas entre os 16 acessos variaram entre 0,006 e 0,148. As maiores distâncias genéticas foram obtidas entre os acessos "52" e "61", sendo que, em 2007, o primeiro produziu mais de 25 frutos, e o segundo, nenhum. Assim, deduz-se que, nesse caso, a próvável causa da variação seja genotípica. As menores distâncias genéticas foram constatadas entre os acessos "63"e "55" e entre "19"e "59". Os dois grupos apresentaram valores de produção próximos. Os marcadores moleculares RAPD mostraram que, mesmo dentro da mesma espécie, há variabilidade genética entre plantas com produções diferentes, ressaltando a importância das técnicas moleculares para subsidiar e auxiliar nos trabalhos de seleção, em programas de melhoramento genético.