AcademicArticleSCO_85043351948
Academic Article in Scopus
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abstract
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© 2017 Archivos Latinoamericanos Nutricion. All rights reserved. Opuntia spp. are a Mexican phytogenetic resource with great nutritive value and high betalains (compounds known for their antioxidant properties) content. Our main goal was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, betalains concentration and antioxidant capacity (AC), as well as sensory profiles of Opuntia robusta and O. ficus-indica, where the later one showed higher acidity and soluble solids content (F= 769.2; P= 0.0001 and F= 360.4; P <0.0001 respectively) than O. robusta. There was no significant difference between the species in terms of humidity and ash content. Betalains concentrations were higher in Opuntia robusta (F=529.1; P= ¿0.0001), while betacyanins (0.114 mg/mL pulp) and betaxantins (0.073 mg/mL de pulp) were higher in O. ficus-indica (0.023 mg/mL pulp and 0.0198 mg/mL de pulp). Significant differences for AC were found (F=545.9, P ¿0.0001), with O. ficus-indica showing up to 195.38 ¿mol Trolox equivalent / mL by the method 2, 2¿-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 22% of free radicals inhibition by the method 2, 2 diphenyl-1-pricrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while 165.6 ¿mol Trolox equivalent / mL and more than 36% free radicals inhibition were found for O. robusta. Results showed that the antioxidant capacity is directly related with betacyanins and betaxantines concentration. Both Opuntia varieties exhibit a tendency to sweetness and acidity, with aromas, flavors and scents within fruity and vegetable notes. These results suggest that both species could be used in the extraction of betalains due to their great industrial potential as a source of natural pigments with antioxidant properties and pleasant sensorial characteristics.
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