MUCILAGE OF OPUNTIA-FICUS-INDICA .1.

The mucilage extracted from the cladodes (modified stems) of Opuntia ficus-indica contains residues of d-galactose, d-xylose, l-arabinose, l-rhamnose, and d-galacturonic acid. Seasonal variation in the sugar composition of the mucilage has been investigated. Fractionation studies indicate that the mucilage is essentially homogeneous. The rate of release of the constituent sugars and the change in optical rotation on mild hydrolysis coupled with the results of chromic acid oxidation suggest that the mucilage contains α-arabinofuranosyl, β-xylopyranosyl, β-rhamnopyranosyl, β-galactopyranosyl, and α-galactopyranosyluronic acid residues. The results also suggest a core containing galacturonic acid, rhamnose, and galactose, to which xylose and arabinose are attached in peripheral positions. © 1979.