© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons. In Sicily, prickly pears are increasingly becoming an emerging protagonist of the ecological transition, circular economy, innovation, and thus, sustainability.
Sicily is the first region in Europe in terms of the extent of dryland cultivation: Opuntia ficus-indica has always shown adaptability and resilience to long periods of drought, thanks to a physiology that reduces water loss during photosynthesis. FreshPlaza has talked with Salvatore Rapisarda, director of Euroagrumi OP, about the campaign underway, which is proceeding with interesting market prospects not only for the marketing of the fruit, but also for the use of all the other components of the plant.
The consortium is based in Biancavilla, in the province of Catania, and markets Etna PDO prickly pears all over the world in their three typical colour variants: 'nostrale', which is yellow-orange; 'sanguigna', which is fiery red; and 'muscaredda' and 'sciannina', which are white.
© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons.
"These innate and identifying characteristics make our prickly pears a strategic resource in a context of sudden climate change and increasing desertification. In addition to their agronomic importance, prickly pears stand out for their great versatility. As scientific studies have shown, the plants (taken as a whole with seeds, flowers, fruit, and cladodes) are rich in bioactive compounds such as betalanins, polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, polysaccharides, and mineral elements. And, while these elements have been used in nutraceutics, cosmetics, and pharmacology for a long time, their use is now also being extended to the production of innovative materials such as bioplastics and hydrocolloids."
© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons.
Moreover, the new technologies of dehydration, gelification, extraction from primary matrix, purification, microencapsulation, and extrusion give way to a universe of application possibilities, all of which are eco-friendly.
"One of the most surprising and innovative uses of prickly pears concerns the energy extracted from the cladodes, which can become raw material for the generation of biogas. In this sense, we are collaborating with 'Assoro Biometano' in Enna. We can thus make a contribution to the energy crisis and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Established uses also concern agriculture. In areas of greatest drought, fresh cladodes constitute fodder for livestock breeding."
© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons.
Natural source for nutraceuticals and wellness
"We also collaborate on a regular basis with the companies Rao Erbe from Catania and A-planet from Verona, and it is precisely in the nutraceutics and wellness sector that the most consolidated uses are to be found. The pulp, flower, seeds, and even peel of prickly pears are rich in bioactive substances, betalanins, phenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, polysaccharides, and mineral elements, which make the extracts of this fruit allies of human health. Nutraceutics, a fast-growing sector based on the use of new technologies, develops supplements that improve general well-being. We collaborate with companies that have launched product lines based on prickly pear extracts, including capsules, powders, concentrated juices, and even flours naturally rich in mineral salts, vitamins, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, and essential fatty acids. The cosmetic sector then uses the oil from the seeds for creams and serums: it is a rare element, known for its elasticising and antioxidant properties."
© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons.
Environmental challenge thanks to bioplastics and pectins
Prickly pears are also a protagonist in new environmental technologies. "Mucilages and pectins extracted from cladodes could be the basis of protective and gelling bioplastics: a way to reduce the use of plastics derived from petrochemical processing. We are also collaborating with professors at the University of Palermo, Paolo Inglese and Giorgia Liguori, and with the researcher at CREA OFA in Acireale, Maria Concetta Strano, to relaunch sustainable solutions for extending the shelf life of fruits. In a world in search of sustainable solutions, prickly pears are an ambassador of innovation and wellbeing. Promoting them means preserving an identity heritage that has transformed into an opportunity. For this reason, once again this year we have launched the 'Chi lo porta lo più grosso, chi ce l'hai più lunga' competition. A nice way to reward those who have the biggest fruit or the longest cladode and, above all, to turn the spotlight even more on a plant that is an emblem of agricultural resilience and an extraordinary vehicle for promoting environmental culture."
© Consorzio Euroagrumi O.P. Soc. Coop. Cons.
For more information:
Euroagrumi O.P
Via C.Colombo, 124
95033 Biancavilla (CT) - Italy
+39 095 5183839
[email protected]
www.euroagrumi.it