Chemical characterization of Sicilian dried nopal [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.]

Bella, Giuseppa Di; Vecchio, Giovanna Lo; Albergamo, Ambrogina; Nava, Vincenzo; Bartolomeo, Giovanni; Macrì, Antonio; Bacchetta, Loretta; Turco, Vincenzo Lo; Potortì, Angela Giorgia

doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104307

Cited by 23 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Interestingly, dried nopal from different Sicilian cultivars had protein (1.48–2.18%), ash (12.81–15.23%), and lipids (0.76–2.46%) similar to the Tunisian counterpart. However, it was characterized by higher levels of dietary fiber (41.10–46.72%) [ 24 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, Spanish dried nopal from six cultivars showed a highly variable FA composition depending on the cultivar investigated (palmitic acid: 30.1–50.0%; oleic acid: 9.22–22.3%; linoleic acid: 12.8–27.9%; linolenic acid: 5.31–11.5%) [ 71 ]. Recently, Di Bella and colleagues [ 24 ] pointed out that dried Sicilian nopal had much higher levels of palmitic acid (32.07–36.40%), but lower amounts of oleic (13.00–15.47%), linoleic (21.43–24.27%), and linolenic (11.02–15.61%) acids.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two previous works analyzed the monomeric sugars of dried cladode from the Calabrian and Sicilian O. ficus-indica , reporting a marked abundance in glucose (9.30–15.31 g/100 g), comparable levels of mannose (0.67–3.49 g/100 g), and lower levels of galactose (3.36–4.83 g/100 g), xylose (1.86–2.01 g/100 g), and arabinose (1.47–3.96 g/100 g) [ 24 , 89 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Samples from nopal, prickly pear pulp, peel, and seeds were investigated for the FA composition according to that which was already reported by Di Bella et al [ 24 ]. Every lipid extract obtained by the Soxhlet apparatus was transmethylated by a “warm” transesterification and injected into a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a split/splitless injector and coupled to a flame ionization detector (FID) (Dani Master GC1000, Dani Instrument, Milan, Italy).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, many efforts have been devoted to the reclamation of waste from agricultural and processing practices, such as cladodes, fruit peels, and seeds, which—besides having been already used in folk medicine for their nutritional properties (i.e., antioxidant effects) and beneficial activities (i.e., anti-inflammatory hypoglycemic, neuroprotective effects etc.) [ 23 ]—have a considerable impact on the supply chain of Opuntia [ 24 , 25 ]. In fact, around 6–8 tons/hectares of cladodes—or simply nopal—are produced annually following the pruning period, which are not easy to be disposed of, and represent one of the main costs for farmers [ 26 ]; while peels and seeds, derive from the industrial processing occurring mostly during the fruiting period, constitute 45–55% and 2–10%, respectively of the total weight of the fruit, and end up either landfilled or employed as animal feed [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Albergamo

Potortì

Bella

et al. 2022

Foods

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Various dried (by-)products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica were elucidated for their proximate composition, fatty acid (FA) composition, inorganic elements, sugars, and polyphenols. Nopal and prickly pear peel and seeds were abundant in fiber (respectively, 28.39, 12.54, and 16.28%). Seeds had also high protein (17.34%) and may be source of an edible oil, due to lipids (9.65%) poor in saturated FAs (14.12%) and rich in linoleic acid (61.11%). Nopal and peel showed the highest levels of Mg (493.57 and 345.19 mg/100 g), K (6949.57 and 1820.83 mg/100 g), Mn (59.73 and 46.86 mg/Kg) and Fe (23.15 and 15.23 mg/Kg), while the fruit pulp predominantly constituted of sugars, glucose and arabinose being predominant (42.57 and 13.56 g/100 g). Total polyphenols widely varied among the Opuntia products (108.36–4785.36 mg GAE/100 g), being mainly represented by hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonoids as well. In particular, peel may be revalorized for these valuable bioactives, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (484.95 mg/100 g), cinnamic acid (318.95 mg/100 g), rutin (818.94 mg/100 g), quercetin (605.28 mg/100 g), and several isorhamnetin and kaempferol glycosides. Overall, the Tunisian prickly pear cactus could encourage a sustainable production, an effective waste management, and may provide several benefits for human health, in accordance with the model of the Mediterranean diet.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Albergamo

Potortì

Bella

et al. 2022

Foods

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Study of the lipid fraction of Moroccan and Italian carobs (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

Amar,

Potortì,

Albergamo

et al. 2024

Euro J Lipid Sci & Tech

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Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a characteristic fruit from the Mediterranean area, composed of a hard pulp and numerous seeds that have been unfairly undervalued and underutilized over time. To enhance the Mediterranean's biodiversity and support food production from sustainable resources, the carob has recently received attention for its nutritional value, and it has advantageously served as a healthy ingredient of many food products. Hence, in this study, the composition of the Mediterranean carob was further deepened by investigating its lipid fraction on a dry weight basis in relation to the fruit part (i.e., pulp and seeds) and the geographical origin (i.e., different Moroccan and Italian provinces). On average, lipids of pulp and seeds amounted to 1.71% and 2.46%, respectively. Predominant fatty acids were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. Palmitic and oleic acids were higher in pulp (20.21%–26.50% and 37.63%–44.49%) than seeds (13.93%–17.26% and 31.92%–36.66%), whereas linoleic acid showed an opposite accumulation trend (pulp: 8.32%–15.46%, seeds: 38.19%–43.45%). Among sterols, β‐sitosterol (57.49%–72.47%), Δ‐5‐avenasterol (10.26%–21.27%), and stigmasterol (3.97%–8.11%) accounted for more than 70% of total sterols of pulp, whereas β‐sitosterol alone represented more than 70% of sterols in seeds. Considering tocopherols, γ‐tocopherol was the most abundant isomer both in pulp (10.37–22.78 mg/100 g) and seeds (4.95–22.86 mg/100 g). Carob also resulted in a good source of squalene, which on average was 2.17 mg kg−1 in pulp and 19.07 mg kg−1 in seeds. A principal component analysis pointed out that the study of the lipid fraction of carob can help in discriminating samples based on their Moroccan or Italian origin.Practical Applications: The study provides further insights into the still‐little‐explored lipid fraction of Mediterranean carob and fills a relevant gap in the literature by contributing to a more exhaustive framework of the nutritional and functional value of this fruit. In a wider perspective, it can be of practical help in the formulation of carob‐based products and in the establishment of a more informed market of carob and carob‐based products.

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Luteolin: Advances on Resources, Biosynthesis Pathway, Bioavailability, Bioactivity, and Pharmacology

Taban,

İlhan,

Süntar

2023

Handbook of Dietary Flavonoids

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Chemical characterization of Sicilian dried nopal [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.]

Cited by 23 publications

References 41 publications

Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Study of the lipid fraction of Moroccan and Italian carobs (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

Luteolin: Advances on Resources, Biosynthesis Pathway, Bioavailability, Bioactivity, and Pharmacology

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