Effect of Freezing and Drying Methods on Some Biochemical Properties of Prickly Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) Fruit

Abstract

In this study, the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica was examined in the fresh, frozen, sun and in microwave dried samples. In fresh Opuntia ficus-indica samples, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was found to be 3.30 µg GAE/g DW and 1.46 µg QE/g DW, whereas in sun-dried samples found to be 2.60 µg GAE/g DW and 0.56 µg QE/g DW respectively. TEAC and IC50 are indicators of antioxidant capacity, and in fresh fruits TEAC and IC50 found to be 66.91 µmol Trolox/g DW and 45.95 mg ml-1 , while 39.01 µmol Trolox/g DW and 57.36 mg ml-1 in sun-drying, respectively (p<0.05). While the amount of ghrelin, GSH, GSSG and MDA in fresh prickly fig were found to be 19.20; 372; 20.85; 3.00 µg/g DW, on the other hand in sun-dried samples were found to be 9.90; 210.00; 33.60; 4.78 µg/g DW, respectively. In addition, ghrelin and GSH in dried fruits decreased while GSSG and MDA increased in comparison to fresh sample (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica is rich in ghrelin and GSH. The most suitable preservation techniques for Opuntia ficusindica fruits is freezing to consume it in all season and microwave drying appears to be more advantageous than sun-dried in terms of time.