Assessment of the variation of the volatile compound composition and antioxidant activity in Opuntia fruits liquors during the maceration process

Opuntia genus belongs to the Cactaceae family, Mexico is the major producer in the world. Due to Opuntia’s phytochemical content and their health-related benefits, was proposed the elaboration of liquor using Opuntia fruit. Phenolic content, volatile aromatic profile, antioxidant activity, and sensory evaluation were carried out to characterize the liquor. Sensorial evaluation results showed that L-2D (2 day-macerated liquor) has the higher consumers‘ acceptance. Moreover, L-2D had the highest content of volatile compounds (348 mg/L), and the highest antioxidant activity (1.29, 1.63 and 2.05 mmol Trolox/L, according to ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods, respectively). We could identify and quantify 29 volatile compounds, being ethyl acetate and D-limonene those with the highest content. Quercitrin was the most abundant phenolic compound in the liquor. The findings of this study demonstrate that Opuntia liquor is a rich source of phenolics and aromatic compounds that would be a drink with the probability of being commercialize.