Abstract

Total phenol content and the antioxidant activities of three cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. were evaluated. The results show that the ecotypes were significantly different according to their fatty acid composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activity, as well as their polyphenol profiles. Rossa fruit collected in August exhibited the higher phenolic content (15.48 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) with a stronger antioxidant activity. Bianca fruit collected in August exhibited a lower phenolic content (3.13 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) together with the stronger antiradical activity (96.14%). The advantage of this ecotype was more discernible as compared to positive controls butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 79.75%). Likewise, CpG chromatogram identification revealed also an important difference between the ecotypes on oleic and linoleic acids.

Key words: Opuntia ficus-indica, variability, phenol content, fatty acid, antioxidant activity.

Abbreviation

BHT, Butylated hydroxytoluene; BHA, butylated hydroxyanisole; RFA,Rossa Fruit of August; GFA, Gialla Fruit of August; BFA, Bianca Fruit of August; RFN,Rossa Fruit of November; GFN, Gialla Fruit of November; BFN, Bianca Fruit of November.