WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-5079, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 20, 2024
The Influence of Altitude on the Polyphenols Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Northern Moroccan 'Dellahia' Prickly Pear Juice
Authors: , , ,
Abstract: Moroccan cactus exhibits high genetic variability with several cultivars. The 'Dellahia' prickly pear variety, prevalent in northern Morocco and noted for its green pulp, is among the least valued cactus varieties, primarily consumed fresh. This study aimed to assess the impact of altitude on total phenolic acids and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and the antioxidant activity of 'Dellahia' prickly pear juice from northern Morocco. Significant differences in TPC ranged from 91.29 to 130.45 mg GAE/Kg of juice from the Mestassa and Wahran sites (at 119 m and 482 m altitude, respectively). TFC also varied slightly, from 18.8 to 19.1 mg RE/Kg of juice. Variations in antioxidant activity were evident in both DPPH• and ABTS+ assays, with DPPH• inhibition percentages ranging from 8.85% to 19.14% and ABTS+ inhibition from 41.07% to 54.35%. However, the influence of altitude on these parameters was inconclusive, as samples from higher altitudes did not consistently yield lower or higher values. Other factors such as soil composition, sunlight, and farming practices may influence these results.
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Keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica, Dellahia, altitude, polyphenols, flavonoid, antioxidants, DPPH, ABTS
Pages: 519-529
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.51