Integral use of prickly pear xoconostle fruits to obtain bioactive compounds using a biorefinery approach

The prickly pear xoconostle (Opuntia matudae) currently lacks industrial applications, as its use is mainly focused on traditional products such as beverages, sauces, and confections. To enhance the value of this crop in producing regions, this study evaluated the extraction of bioactive compounds with potential applications in the biotechnology and food industries. The main objective of this study was the extraction of pectin from the fruit peel, through acid hydrolisis. The process comprised the following stages: grinding, ethanol washing, extract recovery, pectin precipitation, and drying, resulting in a yield of 9.95 % of pectin. The washing effluents were analyzed for betalain content, yielding a concentration of 2.021 g/mL as total betalains. This liquid phase was subsequently subjected to distillation; a 70 % yield of ethanol was obtained with 65 % purity. The solid residue obtained from the extraction was further utilized for crude fiber isolation, achieving a yield of 72.3 ± 3.48 %. These findings demonstrate that xoconostle fruits offer a promising raw material for the extraction of pectins, betalains, and crude fiber, and the proposed recyclingrecycle ethanol and water, supports the development of a sustainable process in a biorefinery.