The quality characteristics of noodles made from domestic Korean wheat flour added with 0, 1, 3, 5% cactus Chounnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) powder were investigated. The water absorption and peak time of dough, as determined by farinography, increased with higher cactus powder content. Stability and elasticity of dough decreased as fermentation proceeded. Cooking characteristics of noodles made from dough such as weight, water absorption, and volume decreased with higher cactus powder content. The turbidity of cooked water increased significantly with 5% cactus powder content. For color test, L-value decreased while a-value and b-value increased with higher cactus powder content. In texture analyses, hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, and gumminess increased with higher cactus powder content. In the sensory test, noodles containing 3% cactus powder were the most preferred.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum mixing ratio of Opuntia humifusa powder and sugar in the preparation of muffin. The optimal sensory composite recipe was determined by following the central composites for muffin with different levels of Opuntia humifusa powder (A) and sugar (B). The analysis was performed using the response surface methodology, and the sensory evaluation was performed with the data. Ten experimental recipes, including two with reference points in the composition, were selected. The compositional and functional properties were measured, and the physical and sensory values were applied to the mathematical models. Perturbation plots showed the effects of each ingredient on the final product. Measurements showed significant values in lightness (p<0.05), sweetness (p<0.05), hardness (p<0.05), gumminess (p<0.05) and cohesiveness (p<0.01). The sensory measurements showed significant values in color (p<0.05), flavor (p<0.05), appearance (p<0.05), softness (p<0.05) and overall quality (p<0.05). Based on the numerical and graphical methods, the optimal formulation was determined to be 6.10 g of Opuntia humifusa powder and 82.61 g of sugar.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Opuntia humifusa and determine the optimal mixing ratio of Opuntia humifusa powder and eggs for the preparation of pasta. In regard to its antioxidant effects, Opuntia humifusa powder had a total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 6.64 mg/g and 90.12%, respectively. We used response surface methodology to obtain ten experimental points (including two replicates for Opuntia humifusa powder and egg) and Opuntia humifusa pasta formulation was optimized using rheology. Yellowness (p<0.001) displayed a linear model pattern, whereas lightness (p<0.01) and redness (p<0.01) were described by a quadratic model pattern. Mechanical properties showed significant values in hardness (p<0.5), chewiness (p<0.5), gummiess (p<0.5), and cohesiveness (p<0.5). The sensory evaluation parameters showed significant differences in color (p<0.5), appearance (p<0.5), flavor (p<0.5), texture (p<0.5) and overall quality (p<0.5). The optimum formulations processed by numerical and graphical optimization were found to be 7.30 g of Opuntia humifusa powder and 31.55 g of egg.

The purpose of this study was to perform a functional components analysis and investigate the physical properties of powders made from the stems or fruit of freeze-dried Cheonnyuncho cactus (Opuntia humifusa). The functional components analysis showed that the stem and fruit powders han vitamin C levels of 42.14 mg and 105.21 mg, respectively. The stems powder contained more lutein than the fruit powder. The fruit powder contained more vitamin C than the stem powder. The SDF (soluble dietary fiber) and IDF (insoluble dietary fiber) in the stem powder were 45.24% and 22.15%, respectively, which were higher then the values for the fruit powder. The stem and fruit powders contained 19.30 mg/g and 25.10 mg/g of crude saponin, respectively. The pH of the stem and fruit powders was 5.34 and 5.07, respectively, both indicating low acidity. The L, a and b values of the stem powder color were 78.28, –3.71, and 19.19, respectively. The L, a and b values of the fruit powder color were 55.56, 24.84, and –3.18, respectively. The stems powder had a higher bulk density, water holding capacity, and swelling power than those of the fruit powder, but water-retaining capacity of the stem powder was lower than that of the fruit powder. In addition, the stems powder had a higher viscous material content and water uptake compared to the fruit powder. Based on the above results, we determined that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) powder had potentially useful functional components and physical properties.