Fruitcharacteristics and chemical proprieties of juice and seeds of three opuntia ficus indica cultivars

Abstract

Morphological parameter and biochemical proprieties of three Tunisian Opuntia ficus indica cultivars (Thorny, Gialla and Rossa) were investigated. Large variations were observed between the mean values of the different cactus cultivars. The source of this variation is probably the genetic without excluding the geographic effects. Gialla and Rossa seems more preferment especially for the consumers. Moreover, seeds of cactus are rich in oil, phytosterols and proteins. The data obtained in this study will be important as an indication of the potentially nutraceutical, economic and industrial utility of seeds of cactus fruit as a new source of oils and proteins.