CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FRUIT AND SEEDS OF CACTUS PEARS DURING EARLY AND LATE-INDUCED CROP RIPENING

Significant differences in the chemical composition of Opuntia ficus–indica fruits and seeds were found on comparing first and second crop during ripening.
Fruits obtained from the second crop (induced crop) were of better quality.

The seed content of P, K and Mg was recorded in a great amount, while lower quantities were detected for Ca, Na, Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu.
Seed oil content ranged from 4,60% to 6,70% and the relative percentage of fatty acids was represented mainly by linoleic (60,6–66,79%), oleic (18,12–23,46%) and palmitic acid (12,18–12,80%). No relevant differences were detected in oil content, fatty acid profile and spectrophotometric indexes of oil seed between the first and the second crop.

III International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal

G. Nieddu, L. De Pau, M. Schirra, G. D’hallewin

Opuntia ficus–indica, seed composition

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.438.12