Cell proliferative properties of Forcespinning® nopal composite nanofibers

In this study, Forcespinning® was used to produce nanofibers composed of Opuntia cochenillifera, “nopal,” mucilage (N) extract, chitosan (CH), and pullulan (PL) (N/CH/PL). These nopal-incorporating nanofibers were examined for their ability to sustain adhesion and proliferation of mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH 3T3) cells. After a 6-day incubation period, N/CH/PL nanofibers displayed robust cell proliferation, with continued cell growth after an extended incubation period of 14 days. These results demonstrate that natural bioactive compounds can be combined with biodegradable polymers to provide an enhanced environment for cell growth, suggesting potential natural active ingredients as alternatives in wound dressings.

Effects of Nopal Mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) as Plasticizer in the Fabrication of Laminated and Tubular Films of Extruded Acetylated Starches

Normal and acetylated rice and waxy maize starches with a blend of nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) and glycerol were used for the preparation of laminated and tubular films by extrusion and blown extrusion, respectively. The composition of the formulation was 70% starch (normal or acetylated), 20% glycerol, and 10% nopal mucilage ( w / w ). The degrees of substitution (DS) for acetylated rice starch (0.94) and waxy maize starch (0.76) present high potential for use as a polymeric matrix in packing materials. The use of nopal mucilage can improve the processability of extruded and tubular films by favoring the increase of some mechanical and functional properties. The films elaborated with nopal mucilage and glycerol present a homogeneous relief without breaking, adhesiveness, and contraction once formed. The elongation values of acetylated waxy maize starch films (33%) were higher than those of rice acetylated films (17%), while the blown films presented a 30% decrease in tensile strength, compared to the laminated films. Acetylation generated more hydrophobic material for the rice starch sample, which can be evidenced by a decreased solubility of the laminated films. Films of both sources of acetylated starch showed a significant decrease in water vapor permeability and showed a plasticized starch disposition-type layer without unmelted starch granules.

Edible films based on chayotextle starch and its effect on the shelf life of apples

The apple is a climacteric fruit, characterized by having a long post-harvest life in optimal storage conditions, in addition to various nutritional benefits. In Mexico, it has become common to sell apple by piece and ready to be consumed, each piece after being washed and disinfected, is protected with a polyurethane net and a low-density polyethylene plastic film, which contributes to the increase in the generation of solid waste and environmental pollution. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of edible films based on chayotextle starch and pectin with nopal mucilage, to preserve the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of apples stored in refrigeration (4-6°C). Two types of films were made: T1: chayotextle starch (4%), glycerol (2%); T2: pectin (1%), nopal mucilage (0.5%), glycerol (30% w / v); These were determined the permeability to water vapor (T1: 1.317x10-12; T2: 8.854 g s- 1 Pa-1 m -1) and oxygen permeability (T1: 4.444x10-14, T2: 5.87 gm s -1 Pa-1 m-2). The shelf-life study in apples showed that both the edible films and the plastic material maintained the physicochemical (pH), sensory, rheological (Hardness) and microbiological (fungi and yeast, mesophilic aerobic and total coliform) characteristics of the apples for 40 days

Heavy metal removal by biopolymers-based formulations with native potato starch/nopal mucilage

The contamination of water bodies by heavy metals is a critical problem for human health and ecosystems, and it can bioaccumulate in organisms to toxic levels and even lead to the living being’s death. This research aimed to synthesize and characterize a biopolymer with the capacity to remove heavy metals in wastewater, elaborated from potato starch, glycerin, and nopal mucilage. Native potato starch of the Allcca sipas variety was extracted by conventional methods; the mucilage was extracted with ethanol. Four formulations of biopolymers were synthesized at 60 and 70 °C. The solubility, structural characteristics, and adsorption capacity of heavy metals were evaluated. Starch, mucilage, and biopolymers presented predominant functional groups as -OH, -C-O-, -NH-, -C-H-, -C-OH determined by FTIR, allowing to remove up to 50.18% of Al, 56.81% of As, 35.95% of Cr, 37.43% of Hg and 73.22% of Pb determined through an ICPE-OES, for a contact time of 100 minutes at pH 5.0, heavy metal removal and solubility were significantly influenced (p-value < 0.05) by the addition of starch and mucilage. The synthesized biopolymers present a high capacity for heavy metal removal in wastewater.

Natural additive (nopal mucilage) on the electrochemical properties of concrete reinforcing steel

In this investigation the effect of Nopal mucilage on the electrochemical properties of concrete was evaluated. Three concentrations of this additive were designed with a Nopal-water ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. Compressive tests were performed after 28 days of curing. Specimens were evaluated for 270 days through various electrochemical techniques such as: Open Circuit Potential (OCP), Electrochemical Noise (EN) and Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR). Results indicate a decrease in compressive resistance in samples with Nopal mucilage at 28 days. The onset of steel corrosion was delayed and the corrosion rate was lower for samples with Nopal mucilage. The conservation and storage of this additive before being used in concrete can be a challenge to analyze.

Solar drying of strawberry coated with nopal mucilage: It’s effect on phenolic compounds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of indirect solar drying (ISD) and conventional (CD) (40, 50, 60 °C) on the concentration of phenolic compounds of strawberry slices, coated with opuntia mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica), and measured with the spectrophotometric method. The indirect solar dryer uses solar-thermal and photovoltaic technology with temperatures between 40 and 60 °C. The concentration of anthocyanins was higher in the ISD than in CD. The strawberry coated with the nopal mucilage has a preservation of phenolic compounds in CD and IDS. Keywords: strawberry, solar drying, phenolic compounds