The effect of prickly pear pericarp mucilage (Opuntia robusta Wendl. var.robusta) on spray drying of prickly pear juic

Mexico is the main producer of prickly pear worldwide with more than 250 thousand tons per year. The prickly pear is marketed fresh, discarding the pericarp, which represents approximately 50 % of the fruit. We take advantage of the pericarp of the prickly pear to extract the mucilage. This was mixed with maltodextrin in 4 proportions (P1, 50%; P2, 33.3 %; P3, 25 %, and P4, 20 %) and was used to spray dry prickly pear juice (Opuntia robusta Wendl. var. robusta). Prickly pear juice powders were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, antioxidant capacity, betalain content, and color. The addition of mucilage decreased the yield and the glass transition temperature; increased the moisture, the water activity, and the antioxidant capacity of the powders obtained by spray drying. However, P3 is a powder with low moisture and water activity, smooth surface, small particle size, and deep violet color. This powder has the potential to be applied in the food industry. In addition, it offers an alternative to the marketing of tuna juice.