title: Essential oils composition of two Sicilian cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) fruits (prickly pear).
abstract: The essential oils composition of the skin, pulp and seeds from fruits of two Sicilian cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica (cv. Sanguigna and cv. Surfarina) has been obtained by hydrodistillation and the possible antioxidant, antimicrobial and semiochemical roles have been investigated comparing the data with those reported in the literature. The presence of antioxidants and antimicrobials found in this study increases the spectrum of compounds that have beneficial properties in O. ficus-indica. In addition, several compounds identified in this study have been reported to influence the behaviour of Ceratitis capitata, a phytophagous pest which causes severe damages to several crops including O. ficus-indica and the kairomonal activity of the odour of the fruits seems provided by a blend of compounds found in the various matrices analysed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento DEMETRA, Università degli studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 5, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zito
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sajeva
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosselli
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maggio
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Senatore
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D057168:Distillation; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D029747:Opuntia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012802:Sicily
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils