Abstract

Opuntia ficus indica seeds harvested in three different years were investigated for total phenols, protein, total lipid content and fatty acids composition. Seeds were found to be rich in phenolic compounds (268.4 mg/100 g). Seeds contained also 6.0% of protein and 5.5% of oil. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for the majority of the fatty acids (83.2%). Linoleic acid with 56.6% was the main fatty acid followed by oleic acid (20.1%). Significant differences were observed between total phenols, protein and total lipid content of seeds collected in three different harvested years, whereas no differences in fatty acid (FA) compositions were detected. The use of this plant species as a source of seed oil for dietary, industrial and pharmaceutical applications is discussed.

Key words: Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica), seeds, phenolic compounds, storage protein, oil, fatty acids.