Effect of Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. mucilage edible coating on quality of fresh-cut cactus pears during cold storage

Cactus pear [(Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] consumption and marketability are limited by the presence of spines and glochids on the fruit surface. Minimally processed cactus pear fruits are characterized by a short shelf life due to the peel removing that increases tissue senescence and deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of O. ficus-indica (OFI) mucilage edible coating on quality, nutraceutical, and sensorial parameters of minimally processed cactus pear. OFI fruits were collected in mid-October and were quickly moved to the nearby laboratory. One-year-old cladodes were sanitized, sliced into squares, and cooked in a microwave oven and mixed using a homogeniz…