Articles
The nutritional evaluation of nopalitos from six South African cactus pear cultivars
Article number
1343_48
Pages
377 – 386
Language
English
Abstract
The Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. species of the cactus pear plants use and consumption has advanced over the years because it forms an important part of the human nutritional regime.
This can be ascribed to the plants high nutrient capacity.
With the exponential increase of food insecurity around the world, it becomes essential to develop mitigation strategies that will not only minimise the effects of food insecurity but are also sustainable.
The objective of the study was to determine the nutritional properties of young edible stems (nopalitos) from six South African cactus pear cultivars.
These six cultivars have shown great potential of being commercialized in the country as a result of their morphological, physico-chemical as well as sensorial properties.
The following components were investigated: i) crude protein; ii) fibre; iii) fat analysis; iv) mineral analysis; v) sugar and starch analysis; vi) chlorophyll analysis; vii) flavonoid analysis; viii) ascorbic acid analysis; ix) polyphenol analysis; and x) antioxidant capacity analysis.
The nutritional analysis of the six cultivars revealed that the incorporation of nopalitos into ones daily dietary regime could be as beneficial as any other common vegetable.
For example, the vitamin C content of the cultivars ranged between 115.50 and 141.67 mg 100 g‑1, while the crude protein content ranged between 93.29 and 129.62 g kg‑1 DM. The minerals which were found in abundance in the nopalitos were calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium, respectively.
The low-calorie nature of the nopalitos was evident in the low-fat content, as all cultivars reported values which were all below 1%. Furthermore, their moisture content ranged between 89 and 92.5%. From the nutritional parameters that were investigated, Malta was deemed as the best overall cultivar.
The reported work showed the high quality of the nopalitos as a vegetable source on a commercial scale in South Africa.
This can be ascribed to the plants high nutrient capacity.
With the exponential increase of food insecurity around the world, it becomes essential to develop mitigation strategies that will not only minimise the effects of food insecurity but are also sustainable.
The objective of the study was to determine the nutritional properties of young edible stems (nopalitos) from six South African cactus pear cultivars.
These six cultivars have shown great potential of being commercialized in the country as a result of their morphological, physico-chemical as well as sensorial properties.
The following components were investigated: i) crude protein; ii) fibre; iii) fat analysis; iv) mineral analysis; v) sugar and starch analysis; vi) chlorophyll analysis; vii) flavonoid analysis; viii) ascorbic acid analysis; ix) polyphenol analysis; and x) antioxidant capacity analysis.
The nutritional analysis of the six cultivars revealed that the incorporation of nopalitos into ones daily dietary regime could be as beneficial as any other common vegetable.
For example, the vitamin C content of the cultivars ranged between 115.50 and 141.67 mg 100 g‑1, while the crude protein content ranged between 93.29 and 129.62 g kg‑1 DM. The minerals which were found in abundance in the nopalitos were calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium, respectively.
The low-calorie nature of the nopalitos was evident in the low-fat content, as all cultivars reported values which were all below 1%. Furthermore, their moisture content ranged between 89 and 92.5%. From the nutritional parameters that were investigated, Malta was deemed as the best overall cultivar.
The reported work showed the high quality of the nopalitos as a vegetable source on a commercial scale in South Africa.
Publication
Authors
B.L. Makhalemele, M. de Wit, M.M. Truter, A. Du Toit, A. Hugo, S.L. Venter
Keywords
cactus pear, cultivate, food security, nopalitos, nutritional content, Opuntia ficus-indica, South Africa
Groups involved
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