THE EFFECT OF GENOTYPE, LOCATION AND SEASON ON THE LIPID CONTENT AND LIPID COMPOSITION OF CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA) SEED

The cactus pear plant flourishes well in arid and semi-arid regions. The fruits are rich in nutrients and research revealed that its seeds contain good edible oils that can be utilized for human consumption and this promises to simultaneously increase the application of this under-utilized plant. The study therefore aims at investigating the cultivar, seasonal and locality influence on the yield and composition of the cactus pear seed oil, as well as to ascertain the best yielding cultivar. Oil was extracted according to the Folch method and the fatty acids determined by gas chromatography. Results showed that the seed oil content varied among cultivars, seasons and locations tested.