Opuntia is a cactus with fruits and is also called prickly pear. Extraction process of water soluble fiber from opuntia stem powder was optimized by applying various conditions such as ethanol concentration, temperature and pH. Fiber extraction was highest in 0% ethanol and lowest in 100% ethanol, indicated that hot distilled water extraction produced maximum water soluble fiber. Among temperature range from 50 to 90°C, water soluble fiber was extracted mostly at 50°C and leastly at 90°C, showing decrease in fiber with increase in temperature. On the other hand, pH higher than 7 did not show any significant difference in fiber extraction, while fiber extraction decreased in lower pH 7. Conclusively ethanol hampered extraction of water soluble fiber from opuntia stem powder and extraction was not stable with higher heat and low acidic condition.

• Chang-Hwan Lee(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University)
• Young-Tae Ham(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Chung Ang University)
• Hae-Kyung Kim(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Han Seo University)
• Moo-Yeol Baik(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University)
• Byung-Yong Kim(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University)