Identification and Quantification of Flavonol Aglycones in Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus indica) Fruit using Commercial Pectinase and Cellulase Preparation

摘要

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruit is one of the most promising fruits. Its fruits contain many bioactive compounds such as betalains, vitamin C, dietary fibers and polyphenolic compounds (especially isorhamnetin glycosides) [1-4]. Because of the lack of authentic standards, flavonol glycosides are in most cases hydrolyzed to their respective aglycons prior to analysis. The acidic hydrolysis using hydrochloric acid in aqueous methanol under continuous heating is the main and traditional method, but it is affected by many factors such as the nature of the plant matrix and the flavonol composition [5]. Therefore, it is difficult to follow a single protocol for acidic hydrolysis of flavonol glycosides in the different plant materials. A promising alternative for an acidic hydrolysis might be an enzymatic hydrolysis.