Articles
From preharvest waste to resource: phenolic compounds in immature Opuntia ficus-indica fruits
Article number
1464_26
Pages
201 – 206
Language
English
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is widely cultivated in Sicily, where the agricultural practice of “scozzolatura” produces large amounts of immature fruits usually discarded as waste.
These fruits may represent a valuable but unexplored source of bioactive compounds.
This study focused on the phytochemical characterization of immature fruits (‘Rossa’), with particular attention to peel and pulp fractions.
Peel and pulp were extracted with methanol/water/formic acid and analysed by HPLC/DAD to determine their polyphenolic content.
Cladode extract from the same plant was included as a reference matrix.
HPLC analyses revealed that the peel fraction contained the highest levels of polyphenols, followed by pulp, while cladodes showed the lowest concentration.
These findings highlight the anatomical specialization of the fruit peel as the main reservoir of phenolic compounds.
Immature prickly pear peel and pulp emerge as promising matrices for the recovery of functional molecules.
Future studies will investigate their biological potential, supporting sustainable strategies for the valorization of pre-harvest waste.
These fruits may represent a valuable but unexplored source of bioactive compounds.
This study focused on the phytochemical characterization of immature fruits (‘Rossa’), with particular attention to peel and pulp fractions.
Peel and pulp were extracted with methanol/water/formic acid and analysed by HPLC/DAD to determine their polyphenolic content.
Cladode extract from the same plant was included as a reference matrix.
HPLC analyses revealed that the peel fraction contained the highest levels of polyphenols, followed by pulp, while cladodes showed the lowest concentration.
These findings highlight the anatomical specialization of the fruit peel as the main reservoir of phenolic compounds.
Immature prickly pear peel and pulp emerge as promising matrices for the recovery of functional molecules.
Future studies will investigate their biological potential, supporting sustainable strategies for the valorization of pre-harvest waste.
Authors
L. Pulvirenti, G. Modica, A. Continella, F. Zappalà, A. Marrazzo, L. Siracusa
Keywords
Opuntia ficus-indica, fruit thinning, agro-industrial waste, bioactive compounds, HPLC analyses
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