Analysis of Chemical Composition of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) Cladode Extract as Natural Preparation for Fungal Culture Media

Abstract

The present study is aimed at analyzing the chemical composition of the crude extract of cactus pear cladode as natural preparation for fungal culture media. For this purpose cactus pear cladode samples were collected from Haramaya University campus Model School area. The chemical composition analysis was done according to standard procedures. The chemical analysis of cactus pear cladode extract revealed the presence of carbohydrate (186%), crude fiber (46%), ash (20%), crude protein (9.6%), and moisture content (4.8%). In addition, GC/MS also showed the fatty acid consisted of Octadecanoic acid methyl esters, 7-Octadecanoic methyl ester, and 9-Octadecanoic (Z) methyl ester (68.49%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (13.36%), methyl stearate (8.95%), and 9, 12-octadecanoic (Z, Z) methyl ester and 10-trans, 12-cis-octadecadienoate methyl ester (8.89%) in the crude extract. Based on the atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis, macro-elements such as Na, K, Mg, and Ca were identified and these amounted 2.00, 1.98, 0.12, and 0.05 ppm respectively. Micro-elements including Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were investigated and quantified as 2.05, 1.76, 1.75, and 0.54 ppm respectively. Vanadate colorimeter analysis showed the concentration of total phosphorus (P) of the extract was 1.00%. In conclusion, the presence of carbon, nitrogen phosphorus and mineral sources in the extract indicating that the medium has a huge potential to use as fungal culture media.

Cite as

Tsega Abraha Reda, Estifanos Hawaz Mussie, Meseret Chimedessa Ejigu, Ameha Kebede Ayele, & Haftom Brhane Teame. (2020). Analysis of Chemical Composition of Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) Cladode Extract as Natural Preparation for Fungal Culture Media. Research and Reviews: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2(3), 1–8. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4388556