CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAVONOL AGLYCONS IN CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA) FRUIT USING PREPARATIONS OF CELLULASES AND PECTINASES

Identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides in fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica from different origins (Egypt, Sicily and South Africa) and cladodes from Egypt were done using HPLC-DAD. A gentle enzymatic hydrolysis of the flavonol glycosides using preparation of cellulase and commercial pectolytic enzymes was applied at 50°C for different times (up to 24 hours). Following hydrolysis, flavonols were characterized using HPLC-DAD. Both, O. ficus-indica cladode and fruit’s peel are characterized by high amounts of isorhamnetin glycosides (mainly isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside). O. ficus-indica showed the same profile of isorhamnetin glycosides in the peels of all origins.
However, isorhamnetin derivatives have not been detected in the pulps.
Enzymatically all plant tissues were highly hydrolysable.
Flavonol glycosides were completely hydrolyzed after 16 h.
Results indicated that after 16 h hydrolysis was completed, only the aglycone isorhamnetin was found in all investigated tissues.
In addition cladodes are higher in flavonol glycosides and aglycons in compared to fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica.

VII International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal

T.E. Moussa-Ayoub, L.W. Kroh, E. Abd El-Hady, H. Omran, S.K. El-Samahy, S. Rohn

Opuntia ficus-indica, flavonols, isorhamnetin, enzymatic hydrolysis

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.995.31