Study of Nutritional Composition of Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica cv. Redonda) at Different Maturity Stages

Abstract

Nopal is included in the human diet and used as forage, which is interesting vegetal due to its environmental re- sistance, but little is known about its nutritional properties along the maturity stage. The objective of this study was to de- termine the development of the of nopal (Opuntia ficus indica, cv. Redonda) composition at advanced maturity stages in order to evaluate the age related changes in the nutritional composition for suggest its potential use for human consump- tion. Chemical proximate analysis, mineral constituents and amino acid profile were carried out at different maturation stages. Insoluble dietary fiber, calcium increased from 17.95% to 34.40% from 40-135 days respectively. In addition the ash and phosphorus content also increased. The soluble dietary fiber in nopal decreased as age progressed from 40 to 135 age days. Data also showed that nopal contain 17 amino acids and nine of them are considered essential. The results show that older nopal is an important source of calcium and dietary fiber. Nopal can be an economic alternative for use as food supplement mainly at advanced maturation stage i.e. at 135 days and can be ameliorate or prevent the chronic and degen- erative disease. Keywords: