15E-8 |
Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) peels as a new desert fiber: Preparation and partial characterization |
J. J. TERRAZAS1, R. I. Basurto-Ortíz2, J. C. Montañez-Sáenz, C. N. Aguilar, M. L. Reyes-Vega, and J. C. Contreras-Esquivel. (1) Food Research Department. School of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, PO Box 252, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25000, Mexico, (2) Universidad Tecnológica de Tecamachalco., Ave. Universidad Tecnológica No. 1, Tecamachalco, Puebla, Mexico Opuntia ficus-indica is a cactus largely distributed around Mexico and their fruit is recognized as prickly pear. Peel and seeds are the waste materials of the prickly pear processing industries. There are not reports in literature about utilization of prickly pear peel for preparation of dietary fiber. The aim of this work was develop a laboratory procedure for preparation prickly pear peel fiber and characterize swelling capacity and galacturonic acid content. Prickly pear peel was prepared manually from cactus fruits. Steam or hot ethanol bleaching were used for inactivation of endogenous enzymes. Furthermore oven or solvent (ethanol) exchange were employed for drying. Afterwards, milling, sieving (mesh 25, 50,80, 140, 230, <230), and packing was carried out. Galacturonic acid (AGA) and swelling capacity were analyzed in all meshes. The particle size distribution of the prickly pear fiber shows that, similar frequencies were observed independently bleaching and drying methods. Average particle diameter was about 50 mesh. The prickly pear peel fiber prepared by steam bleaching combined with drying cool ethanol exchange method (1) had much higher AGA contents (20 mg/ 100 mg fiber; mesh 25). Steam bleaching and oven drying method (2) and hot ethanol bleaching and oven dried shows 7.5 and 6.2 mg/100 mg fiber, respectively. Fiber mesh 50 prepared by method 1 (8 ml/g) showed higher swelling capacity than method 2 (5.8 ml/g) and 3 (5.8 ml/g). Solvent drying method is a positive operation process for maintain endogenous polymerized AGA in prickly pear fiber. Prickly pear peel is a new desert source of dietary fiber and its galacturonic acid was superior that of commercial cladode cactus racquet. Furthermore prickly pear fiber shows pleasant aroma and flavor.
Session 15E, Nutraceuticals & Functional Foods I
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