Variations in Bioactive Properties, Phenolic Compounds and Fatty Acid Compositions of Different Parts of Prickly Pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica Spp) Fruits

The peel, pulp and seeds of prickly pear fruits contained 84.3%, 82.98% and 5.78% moisture, respectively. Total carotenoid and total flavonoid contents of prickly pear fruit parts ranged between 0.02 µg/kg (peel) and 1.11 µg/kg (seed) to 14.52 mg per 100 g (pulp) and 68.33 mg per 100 g (seed), respectively. Total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of prickly pear fruit parts were determined between 41.94 mg GAE per 100 g (seed) and 122.10 mg GAE per 100 g (peel) to 0.87% (pulp) and 1.68% (seed), respectively. In general, prickly pear fruit seed, peel and pulp are very rich in catechin and gallic acid. Gallic acid amounts of prickly pear fruit parts varied between 17.46 (pulp) and 27.70 mg per 100 g (peel). Catechin and rutin trihydrate contents of prickly pear fruit portions were identified between 36.74 (pulp) and 122.87 mg per 100 g (seed) to 1.35 mg per 100 g (peel) and 10.04 mg per 100 g (pulp), respectively. The prickly pear seed oil contained 11.99% palmitic, 3.51% stearic, 20.28% oleic and 62.50% linoleic acids.