Characterization of physiochemical properties of Cactus Cladodes (Opuntia ficus indica) grown in Antalya

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 47 - 52, 30.01.2025

Şehriban Gül Bağırsakcı , Salih Karasu , Erkan Karacabey

https://doi.org/10.55696/ejset.1623788

Abstract

In the current study, the main purpose is to determine the chemical and physical properties of cactus cladode grown in the rural region of Antalya, the Mediterranean region of Türkiye, since it reveals high-yield leaves for potential consumption. Physical and chemical properties were examined. The moisture content and dry matter did not show extra ordinary results, but its ash content emphasized it as a good source of minerals. Total sugar content (TSC) percent was higher than 5%. The functional bioactive components were determined as 8.85 mg/g dry matter, 1.97 mg/g dry matter, 2.43 mg/g dry matter, and 0.468 mg/g dry matter for the total phenolic content (TPC), the total flavonoid content (TFC), the total flavanol content as well as the ascorbic acid content (AAC), respectively. The results indicated that some of the features were superior compared to literature reports, but some were not. In any case, cactus cladodes from the Antalya region of Türkiye reveal high potential as an alternative source of food for human diet. Its carbohydrate content serves as an energy supply, whereas promising bioactive contents including TPC, TFC, total flavanol content and AAC present high potential as a functional nutrient for human consumption. High antioxidant capacity values also support those findings.

Keywords

flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, regional effect, phenolic content

Ethical Statement

There is no any requirement for ethical statement in the current study.

Supporting Institution

Süleyman Demirel University Scientific Research Projects Office

Project Number

FDK-2019-7364

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