Xoconostle cv. Cuaresmeño (Opuntia matudae) has attracted domestic and international industry attention; however, variations of composition from xoconostle structures have not been evaluated. Industries discard the pulp (endocarp) and peel (pericarp) as wastes and utilize the skin (mesocarp), which is the edible portion. The physicochemical, nutritional, and functional characterization of structures from xoconostle pear from 3 major sites of production in Mexico were assessed. Skin yield ranged from 58% to 64% and was higher to that of peel (22% to 24%) and pulp (12% to 18%) yields. pH, degrees Brix, and acidity were similar among xoconostle structures. Total fiber showed by peel (18.23% to 20.37%) was 2-fold higher than that of skin. Protein and ether extract were higher in xoconostle pulp compared to that showed by peel and skin. Iron content of xoconostle peel (6 to 9.6 mg/100 g, DWB) was higher to that of skin and pulp and prickly pear pulp. Soluble phenols of peel (840 to 863 mg GAE/100 g, DWB) were almost similar to that of skin (919 to 986 mg GAE/100 g, dry weigh basis); meanwhile, ascorbic acid concentration of skin was 2-fold higher compared to that of peel. The phenolic fraction of xoconostle structures consisted of gallic, vanillic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids; catechin, epicatechin, and vanillin were also identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-didoe array detection (HPLC-DAD). Xoconostle peel showed higher antioxidant activity (TEAC) compared to that of skin (2-fold) and pulp (6-fold) of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables. The potential of xoconostle peel and pulp for the production of feed or food is promissory. Practical Application: Outstanding nutritional and functional properties of xoconostle cv. Cuaresmeño fruits are demonstrated. Increased consumption could contribute positively to improve the diet of rural and urban consumers. The high fiber, mineral, and antioxidant components of xoconostle peel and pulp suggest that these fruit structures, which are currently discarded as waste, have promissory use as feed or food by industry.

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This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile and nutraceutical properties of nopal cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica) at different stages of maturity. Medium-age cladodes showed the highest total saponins, phytosterols, and indigestible fiber, as well as the highest in vitro antioxidant capacity and digestive enzymes inhibitory activity. Furthermore, these cladodes presented the highest content of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, narcissin, nicotiflorin, β-sitosterol, and sitosteryl-3-β-glucopyranoside, as well as several amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids. Whereas young cladodes contained the highest concentration of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins. These results demonstrated that maturity affects the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of nopal cladodes.

Morphological diversity of xoconostles (Opuntia spp.) or acidic cactus pears: a Mexican contribution to functional foods.Abstract -Introduction. Xoconostles or acidic cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) are fruits prized for their fleshy and acidic mesocarp; they are morphologically different from cactus pears which are sweet, juicy and seedy. Both thrive in semiarid highlands of Central Mexico, tolerate poor soils and scanty rainfall, and have evolved into formal crops during the last five decades. Wild xoconostles are ubiquitous in Mexican semiarid regions. Domesticated genotypes are found in backyards and commercial orchards. Folk wisdom attributes xoconostle with antihypoglycemic effects, cholesterol control and obesity reduction. The peel presents higher antioxidant capacity than strawberry, raspberry, red plum, grapefruit, pear and apple. Our investigation describes the main cultivars of xoconostles with horticultural value for human consumption in Central Mexico; it contributes to the elucidation of their morphological relationships. Materials and methods. Twenty-one accessions from the Hidalgo and Zacatecas states of Mexico were described using 27 variables from cladodes, flowers and fruits; significant variables were selected by correlation and PCA, and thereafter a cluster analysis and discriminant canonical analysis were performed. Results. Thirteen variables were found to be significant to discriminate accessions: cladode length, number of rows of areoles, number of areoles in the central row, pericarp length and width, fruit length, fruit diameter, [length / diameter] ratio, areole density, receptacle depth, fruit and peel weight, and pulp acidity. Two canonical roots (Can) explained variability: Can1 (fruit areola density, acidity, number of areole rows, and number of areoles in the central row) explained 87.55%, and Can2 (peel weight, fruit weight and fruit diameter) explained the remaining 12.45%. Discussion. Can1 was related to plant productivity, while Can2 comprised mainly fruit quality traits. Both of these traits are of primary interest for human utilization and have had a clear effect on domestication. Clusters did not match the actual taxonomic classification. Mexico / Opuntia / genetic resources / biodiversity / human feeding Diversité morphologique des xoconostles (Opuntia spp.) ou figues de Barbarie acides : une contribution mexicaine à l'alimentation de base.Résumé -Introduction. Les xoconostles ou figuiers de Barbarie acides (Opuntia spp.) ont des fruits charnus, appréciés pour leur mésocarpe acide ; ils sont morphologiquement différents des figues de Barbarie qui sont douces, juteuses et remplies de graines. Les deux espèces se développent sur les plateaux semi-arides du Mexique central ; ils tolèrent des sols pauvres et des pluies peu abondantes ; leur culture a évolué régulièrement au cours des cinq dernières décennies. Les xoconostles sauvages sont omniprésents dans les régions semi-arides du Mexique. Des génotypes domestiqués sont trouvés dans les jardins de case et les vergers commercia...