Abstract

APODACA-PEREZ, Jorge Manuel; MARTINEZ-MIRANDA, María de la Luz; ROBLES-BURGUENO, María del Refugio  and  RODRIGUEZ FELIX, Armida. Poliphenoloxidase, total phenols and darkening of nopal. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.3, pp.531-543. ISSN 2007-0934.

In this work the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the content of total phenolics and ascorbic acid and the degree of browning during the development of commercial varieties nopal was evaluated. The tender cladodes harvested 9 to 30 cm length of nopal (Opuntia ficus indica), varieties COPENAF-1, COPENAV-1, Milpa Alta and Atlixco. They were classified into six development stages and stored at -20°C. The content of ascorbic acid decreased and PPO activity increased to advance the development of the cladodes. The PPO activity was similar in the varieties tested. The cladodes variety COPENA F-1 had the highest total phenolic content and total ascorbic acid, while those of Atlixco minors. The degree of darkening was similar in the different stages of development, showing Milpa Alta and COPENA F-1 greater tendency to darken.

Keywords : Opuntia ficus indica; ascorbic acid; cultivars.