Determination of some mineral contents of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) seed flours

Environ Monit Assess. 2013 May;185(5):3659-63. doi: 10.1007/s10661-012-2817-4. Epub 2012 Aug 11.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine some mineral contents of prickly pear (Opuntia fıcus-indica L.) seeds collected from different locations. The mineral contents of seeds were established by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. All the seeds contained Ca, K, Mg and P at high levels. Calcium content ranged between 268.5 (sample no. 11) and 674.8 ppm (sample no. 4). The level of K changed between 346.7 (sample no. 1) and 676.1 ppm (sample no. 13). Phosphorus content of seeds varied between 1,173.6 (sample no. 14) and 1,871.3 ppm (sample no. 1). It is apparent that seeds are good sources of the macro and micro minerals and can be consumed as a food ingredient to provide nutrition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Flour / analysis*
  • Food Analysis
  • Food Contamination / statistics & numerical data
  • Minerals / analysis*
  • Opuntia / chemistry*
  • Seeds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Minerals