Opuntia spp. plants occupy an important socioeconomic role in arid and semiarid zones where water is scarce. Irrigation increases the productivity of these plants; however, its effect on the yield, composition, and physicochemical properties of the mucilage is unknown. Three irrigation regimens were tested: non-irrigated (rainwater), supplemental irrigation (irrigation between field capacity (0.28 m³ m⁻³) and permanent wilting point (0.14 m³ m⁻³)), and full irrigation (100% of crop evapotranspiration), on the four cactus pear varieties (‘Amarilla Olorosa’ (Opuntia spp.), ‘Cristalina’ (Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar), ‘Dalia Roja’ (Opuntia spp.), and ‘Roja Lisa’ (O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill)). Irrigation regimens were applied during the dry season (March to June in the northern hemisphere). Composite samples of cladodes per replicate and treatment were collected for mucilage extraction. The mucilage was characterized for yield, color, chemical composition, infrared spectroscopy, viscosity, and molar mass. The combination with the greatest yield was ‘Amarilla Olorosa’ with no irrigation (22.2%), while the least yield was from ‘Cristalina’ undergoing full irrigation (12.2%). In general, non-irrigated plants yielded more mucilage, their color was brighter and less green, and they had more protein and fiber. The viscosity and molar mass were greatest in non-irrigated plants. Total carbohydrate content was similar between non-irrigated and supplementally irrigated plants. Thus, for the cactus pear varieties studied here, either no irrigation or supplemental irrigation could be a feasible strategy to produce mucilage with good characteristics for agro-industrial and pharmaceutical use.

Background: According to Mexican growers of ‘Jalapeño’ peppers, its commercialization is the primary limitation. Thus, consumer knowledge is critical to develop added-value strategies. The objective of this study was to identify ‘Jalapeño’ quality attributes to determine consumer preferences and willingness to pay, based on socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: A nationwide face-to-face survey was carried out using the discrete choice experiment method. The survey included 1200 consumers stratified by gender, age and region. Results: Heterogeneity analysis using the probabilistic segmentation model revealed three types of consumers: A price-sensitive segment, non-demanding consumers without specific preferences and selective consumers with a preference shifted toward specific ‘Jalapeño’ characteristics. Thus, detail-oriented producers must compete through price strategies, based on the marketplace (markets on wheels, grocery stores, or supermarkets) and through some quality attributes preferred by selective consumers. Therefore, results suggest that farmers should grow the correct varieties with appropriate agronomic management to cope consumer preferences. Conclusions: This paper contributes to the growing body of the ‘Jalapeño’ literature by explicitly investigating consumer preferences and willingness to pay for them.

ISHS VIII International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal CACTUS MUCILAGE AS A COATING FILM TO ENHANCE SHELF LIFE OF UNPROCESSED GUAVAS (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.)

Background: Water deficit and salinity are common conditions in arid agro-ecosystems. Hypothesis: Salinty increases the hydric stress effect on the yield and gel quality of Aloe vera. Study species and data description: In A. vera plants the variables meassured were: plant height, leaf length, width, and thickness, fresh biomass, the relative content of water, total solids, gel percentage, and harvest index. Study site and dates: The study was conducted from spring to summer 2020 in Bermejillo, Durango, Mexico. Methods: A split-block experimental design with four replications was used. The large plots were two soil moisture contents: field capacity (18.5 ± 2.5 %) and permanent wilting point (12.5 ± 2.5 %). The small plot was the salinity, with levels: 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mM of NaCl. Results:Water deficit and salinity reduced the width and thickness of leaves and, consequently, the fresh biomass and gel percentage were reduced, but gel quality increased. Conclusions: Water deficit and salinity, mainly the latter, reduced plant growth and leaves, and therefore, the yield of fresh biomass and gel. Although gel yield was reduced, its quality was enhanced, in terms of high total solids content.

En los últimos años, el mucílago extraído de cladodios de diferentes especies de Opuntia ha recibido considerable atención por ser un material orgánico de fácil obtención y purificación para usarse en múltiples sectores industriales. Es un hidrocoloide natural soluble en agua y un compuesto prometedor como aditivo agroindustrial debido a que puede actuar como agente espesante, gelificante, estabilizante, antioxidante y como película de recubrimiento para frutas y verduras frescas o mínimamente procesadas. Actualmente, rendimientos altos de mucílago pueden ser extraídos con métodos más eficientes en términos de tiempo, energía y amigables con el medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, esta revisión destaca, no sólo la composición y métodos de extracción, sino también, enfatiza en las aplicaciones de este hidrocoloide como aditivo alimenticio.