Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluation of chemical, functional, and nutritional components of both pulp and cladode. The results indicated that cladode had higher moisture content (90.7%) and ash content (1.54%) compared to the pulp. While the cladode showed higher amount of protein content (1.08%), crude fiber (3.03%), crude fat (0.63%) and total carbohydrate (17.2%) compared to cladode. The significantly (P <= 0.05) higher pH (6.96), TSS (18.45 degrees Brix) and titratable acidity (0.18%) were recorded in pulp of cactus pear compared to cladode. The range of mineral contents such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and zink were recorded between (0.16-96.45), (2.34-16.23), (5.64-16.65), (27.16-33.55), and (50.56-65.94) (mu g/100 g DW), respectively. It could be noticed that pulp of cactus pear had a higher content of vitamin C(75.07 mg/100 g FW) and lower content of carotenoids (2.41 mu g/ml FW) as compared to cladode. The statically significant (P <= 0.05) and higher amino acids were found in cladode of cactus pear; the Valine (0.40-3.71 g/100 g) and Serine (1.74-3.34 g/100 g) were found higher in cladode. The high phenolic (2.2 g/100 g) and tannin content (2.55 g/100 g) compared to cladode extract 1.03 g/100 g (2.34 g/100 g) on dry basis, respectively. Phytic acid content was higher in cladode (0.55 g/100 g DW) than in the pulp (0.34 g/100 g DW). Pulp and cladode values were similar to each other for Sophisticated analytical Saponins contents 0.55 g/100 g DW. Sophisticated analytical approaches will promote the use of the cactus plants in foods, medicines, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.