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Physicochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant properties of juice and seed oil of cactus pear Opuntia aequatorialis and Opuntia leucotricha

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Abstract

The present study aims to design for the first time the physicochemical properties, fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols of cactus juice and seed oil from O. aequatorialis (O.A) and O. leucotricha (O.L) than compared with two other species widely studied [O. ficus indica (O.F.I) and O. megacantha (O.M)]. Fatty acids and phytosterols were quantified by gas chromatography; whereas tocopherols were performed by HPLC. The physicochemical results showed that O.A exhibited the highest levels of acidity and proteins. The highest Vitamin C content was recorded in the juice of O.M species. Total phytosterols and tocopherols content are highest in the seed oil of O.A and O.F.I species with β-sitosterol and γ-tocopherol, the major isoforms detected. Oleic and linoleic acids were detected in fatty acids profile. The juice exhibits strong antioxidant activity. Fruits of O.A and O.L own substantial antioxidant ingredients offering add value for functional foods and contributing to the development of food and nutritional products.

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Acknowledgements

All the authors thank the purchasing and finance department of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguérir (UM6P) for their support to perform chemical analysis at the Official Laboratory for Analysis and Chemical Research (LOARC), Casablanca. The authors acknowledge Dr El Houssine El Mzouri, former Head of INRA of Settat for his assistance in the collection of the plant material. We also thank Mrs Nadia Maata Head of division Research and Development at the LOARC, and Mr Mohamed Amakhmakh technician in the Fat section for their assistance for HPLC/GC analyses and preparing the chromatograms. We also thank the Director of the Sabbar Rhamna cooperative for his help and support in the preparation and extraction of fruit juice and seed oil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Laâyoune, Morocco

    Youssef El Kharrassi

  2. AgroBioSciences Division, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), LOT 660-Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Ben Guérir, Morocco

    Youssef El Kharrassi

  3. Department of Biology, University of Hassan 1st, BP 577, 26000, Settat, Morocco

    Youssef El Kharrassi, Ezzouhra El Maaidan, Achraf Mabrouk, Abdel Khalid Essamadi & Boubker Nasser

  4. Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de Rabat, Université Mohammed-V de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco

    Abdelghani Chakhchar

  5. Department of Chemistry, University Hassan 1st, BP 577, Settat, Morocco

    Ezzouhra El Maaidan & Khadija Moustaid

  6. Institute of Botany, Justus-Liebig-University, Developmental Biology of Plants, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, 35392, Gießen, Germany

    Mouna Lamaoui

  7. Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Thouria Bourhim

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  1. Youssef El Kharrassi
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  2. Ezzouhra El Maaidan
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Correspondence to Youssef El Kharrassi.

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El Kharrassi, Y., El Maaidan, E., Chakhchar, A. et al. Physicochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant properties of juice and seed oil of cactus pear Opuntia aequatorialis and Opuntia leucotricha. Vegetos 33, 682–689 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-020-00158-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-020-00158-x

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