Hybridization between the introduced arborescent Opuntia ficus-indica and the native shrubby O. littoralis has led to populations, referred to as O. "occidentalis," which form thickets that can dominate hillsides of chaparral and that can survive fires. Because the thickets apparently develop via vegetative reproduction, O. "occidentalis" was hypothesized to have a greater ability than its pare...

The production of beneficial microorganisms is the first step to obtain a commercial-based product for application in agriculture. In this study, prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) pruning waste was evaluated as raw material large amounts Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPMs) reducing number generated wastes. Specifically, five PGPMs constituting synthetic microbial consortium with com...

The rates and extents of hydrolysis of alpha(S)- and beta-caseins from bovine, caprine, and ovine sodium caseinates produced by an enzymatic extract of the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica, (L.) Miller were evaluated and compared with those produced by a commercial animal rennet. A mechanistic model based on a pseudo-first-order enzymatic reaction, in the presence of first-order deactivation of th...

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) belongs to the family Cactaceae. Family Cactaceae is reported to contain about 130 genera and nearly 1500 species. This plant is native of Mexico and it is widely distributed in Mexico and in all American hemispheres as well as in Africa and in the Mediterranean basin. It has been used in traditional folk medicine because of its role in treating a number of disease...

AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of OpunDia (Opuntia ficus-indica) in obese pre-diabetic men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS This double-blind placebo controlled study included participants (age range of 20-50 years) randomly assigned to one of the two groups and given a 16-week supply of either the 200 mg OpunDia (n=15), or placebo (n=14)....

Opuntia ficus indica is a source of vitamins and minerals, recently, it has been used as ingredient to make new functional pasta. Italy produces the highest amount pasta in world also second-highest producer opuntia globally. This study sought identify consumer willingness pay for featuring understand what factors influence their choice. first food research analyze consumers’ indica. Data were ...

The syrphid genus Meromacrus is widespread in the Neotropics, but its presence Chile has been confirmed just recently. Adults pollinate, and larvae are saprophagous of vegetal materials. In this note, we report cactorum Ricarte et al. for first time from Chile. New data on adult habitats flower visitation also provided Meromacrus. were observed flowers cacti Opuntia ficus-indica, Cumulopuntia s...