# Excessive Availability of Water for Irrigation Results in Cactus Cladode Powder with Fewer Organic Biomolecules and Reduces the Quality of the Biopolymeric Film

## TL;DR

This study shows that less irrigation improves the quality of cactus-based biopolymer films used in food and packaging.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that reduced irrigation increases the concentration of beneficial compounds in cactus powder, enhancing biopolymer film quality.

## Key findings

- Low irrigation (0–80% ETc) increases total phenolics, carbohydrates, and electrical conductivity in cactus powder.
- Opuntia films have better structural and mechanical properties than Nopalea films under low irrigation.
- Cactus powder and films are suitable for food and packaging industries when produced under low irrigation.

## Abstract

The effect of different
irrigation regimes on the physical
and
chemical properties of cactus cladode powder and its biopolymeric
films was investigated. Plants of the genera Nopalea and Opuntia were
grown under four irrigation regimes of: 0, 40, 80, and 120% evapotranspiration.
The cladodes were harvested, their powder was obtained, hydrated,
mixed with ethanol (70%), calcium lactate (5% w/v), and dried in an
oven at 55 °C for 27 h to obtain biopolymeric films. The physicochemical
and spectral data related to the multivariate analysis showed that
the lowest irrigation regime (0–80% of ETc) for both genders
produced more acidic material, with higher levels of total phenolic
compounds, total carbohydrates, and electrical conductivity. Furthermore,
the surfaces of Opuntia films showed more homogeneous micro- and macrostructure
and better mechanical and thermal properties compared to Nopalea.
Therefore, cactus powder and films are suitable for the food and packaging
production industries.