Search results for "Opuntia"
showing 6 items of 106 documents
Novel functional chitosan and pectin bio-based packaging films with encapsulated Opuntia-ficus indica waste
2021
Abstract The aim of this work was to study the effect of adding red prickly pear, as wasted source of antioxidants on various characteristics of novel functional (antioxidant) chitosan and pectin film formulations. Four types of prickly pear material were used: fruit pulp or peel, as powdered extracts and as aqueous extracts. Prickly pear peel extract was shown to possess higher antioxidant properties than fruit pulp. The antioxidant power of extracts was pretty high, around 1000 mgAAE∙100 g−1 for extract and that of all films around 100 mgAAE∙100 g−1 for films. Even though some changes in thickness, moisture content, water solubility, oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability of fil…
Integral Extraction of Opuntia ficus-indica Peel Bioproducts via Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion and Hydrodistillation
2019
The microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion extraction process affords high quality pectin and betanin from the peel of red and green Opuntia ficus-indica fruits under mild conditions. An aqueous mixture of valued bioproducts is readily obtained from the fruit peel cell water itself, without any water addition. The integral extract can be used as such to formulate nutraceutical beverages and products or, upon straightforward separation, to isolate pectin and betanin devoid of chemical contaminants suitable as ingredients for products ranging from food and beverage to cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. Betanin shows exceptional stability thanks to the high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols in t…
Potential production of biogas from prinkly pear (opuntia ficus-indica L.) in sicilian uncultivated areas
2017
The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential production of biogas and, indirectly, biomethane or electric and thermal energy, from prinkly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), to be grown in a part of Sicilian uncultivated areas and co-digested together with the available livestock manure and slurry. In order to increase the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and reduce the dependency from fossil ones, the conversion of biomass into biogas through Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process is paramount for producing biomethane, to be used as fuel for means of transport and agricultural machines or heating, or electric and thermal energy through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Moreover, the digestat…
Biochemical alterations and quality of ready to eat Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller differently packaged
2009
Modulation of Human Motor Cortical Excitability and Plasticity by Opuntia Ficus Indica Fruit Consumption: Evidence from a Preliminary Study through N…
2022
Indicaxanthin (IX) from Opuntia Ficus Indica (OFI) has been shown to exert numerous biological effects both in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-modulatory activity in rodent models. Our goal was to investigate the eventual neuro-active role of orally assumed fruits containing high levels of IX at nutritionally-relevant amounts in healthy subjects, exploring cortical excitability and plasticity in the human motor cortex (M1). To this purpose, we applied paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) in basal conditions and followed the consumption of yellow cactus pear fruits containing IX or white ca…
Betalains: colours for human health.
2022
In the last years, the use of natural phytochemical compounds as protective agents in the prevention and treatment of obesity and the related-metabolic syndrome has gained much attention worldwide. Different studies have shown health benefits for many vegetables such Opuntia ficus-indica and Beta vulgaris and their pigments collectively referred as betalains. Betalains exert antioxidative, anti-inflammation, lipid lowering, antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects. This review summarizes findings in the literature and highlights the therapeutic potential of betalains and their natural source as valid alternative for supplementation in obesity-related disorders treatment. Further research is ne…