Search results for "cactus pear"

Seasonal characterization of nutritional, technological and antioxidant properties of Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. mucilage

2022

Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. fruit and cladodes are a source of mucilage, a carbohydrate complex, as well as of phytochemicals and other nutrients, useful in the food industry. Despite the environmental-based composition variability studied, there is no information on its seasonal variability, which is particularly important for its industrial use. In this study, some technological, nutritional, and bioactive properties of O. ficus-indica Mill. cladodes mucilage were analysed during the seasonal growth period. Total proteins did not change during the whole period and the lipid content significantly decreased from winter to the onset of summer. The fatty acid profile showed high levels of palm…

Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal

2013

THE EFFECT OF ROOTS CONFINEMENT ON THE RELATIVE GROWTH OF ROOTS AND CANOPY OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA

Summary The influence of soil volume on roots and canopy growth performance of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) was studied at Palermo University. In November 2014, 1-year-old Opuntia ficusindica cladodes were planted in five different volumes of soil 50, 33, 18, 9 and 5 Liters. Three replicates (plants) per pot size were dug out at 6 and 12, 18 and 24 month intervals, thus in total, there were 5 x 3 x 4= 60 experimental plots. The resulting experimental design was a completely randomized design with combinations of two factors, soil volume and month of the sampling, with three replications. Roots of each plant were washed and visually divided into three groups depending on their diameter…

Anti-proliferative effect of betalains from Sicilian cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica, L. Mill.) on malignant HepG2, Huh-7, and HA22T human liver ce…

2008

Antioxidant activities of prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus indica) fruits and its betalains: betanin and indicaxanthin.

2004

Phytochemicals and phytomedicines are now an expanding research fields. A great number of active agents occurring in plants and herbs have been discovered, which is fundamental to find a rationale for the health effects of these herbs, in many cases used for centuries as traditional remedies. The knowledge of the mechanisms and molecular basis of their action is the final objective to understand the mode of action of the discovered principles. Studies on the bioactivity of cactus pear are very recent and results obtained so far, while exciting, now generate new questions. In vivo studies on healthy humans showed a strong protection of the body antioxidant system, and a marked reduction of p…

CO2 fluxes of O. ficus-indica plants and single cladodes in relation to water stress

2013

Antioxidant activity of cactus pear fruits and bioavailability of betalan components in healthy humans

2008

Consumption of fruit and vegetables is now associated with protection against various pathologies, including cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, in which oxidative damage is an important etiologic factor. Various compounds from plant food, acting independently of known nutrients and micronutrients, have appeared very important in protecting human health. Most of these components can act as antioxidants or affect redox-dependent cell activities involved both in physiological and pathological events. In this scenery fruits of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), and the characteristic betalain pigments have recently attracted the attention of researchers. While suggesting m…