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7668 Trends in Biosciences 10 (37), 2017 REVIEW PAPER Nutritional Importance of Cactus: A Review SUPRIYA M. KAMBLE1 , PRASHANT P. DEBAJE2 , RAHUL C. RANVEER2* AND A. K. SAHOO1 1Department of Technology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 2PG institute of Post-Harvest Management, Killa – Roha, Maharashtra *email : rahul.ranveer@gmail.com Trends in Biosciences 10(37), Print : ISSN 0974-8431, 7668-7677, 2017
ABSTRACT Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica)originated in Mesoamerican civilizations particularly to the Aztec culture. Tender cactus leaves, flowers and fruits can be eaten as a vegetable in many parts of the world. It contains highly important nutrients, such as betalains, amino compounds including taurine, minerals, vitamins, as well as antioxidants so that it is having excellent and wide scope for nutraceutical and food industry to prepared value added products from it. This review presents an overview of the nutritional, medicinal, and physiological properties of this fruit.
Key word Cactus, Opuntia, Nutritional food, Antioxidants, betalains.