Abstract

Nopal mucilage is a hetero-polysaccharide hydrocolloid with an extensive range of properties that can be used for the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other industries. However, to promote the efficient cultivation can be used the hydroponic system using regional varieties like Copena, Villanueva and Jalpa. These varieties are perfectly adapted to a hydroponic system with which you can obtain high quality mucilage and in large quantity. The results shown high yields (16.47g 13.76g and 8.74g 100g-1 of prickly pear) for Copena, Villanueva and Jalpa respectively. This demonstrate that the hydroponic system and these varieties are a potential source of mucilage that can be used in several industrial sectors.

Keywords: Mucilage; Hydroponic; Nopal cactus