Resumen

PADRON PEREIRA, Carlos Alberto; MORENO ALVAREZ, Mario José  y  MEDINA MARTINEZ, Carlos Alberto. Chemical composition, structural analysis and antinutritional factors of Epiphyllum Phyllanthus (l.): Haw. Var. Hookeri (link & otto) kimn. (cactaceae) phyllocladia. INCI [online]. 2008, vol.33, n.6, pp.443-448. ISSN 0378-1844.

Epiphyllum hookeri phyllocladia were sampled from three hosts from plants in the surrounding area of the Simón Rodríguez University, "Los Naranjos" sector, Canoabo, Carabobo state, Venezuela. Samples from each host were considered as independent samples and analyses of chemical composition, structural components and some antinutritional factors were carried out. The phyllocladia showed a humidity value of 85.63 ±0.12 g/100g of fresh mass and in comparison with other species of the Cactaceae family, had similar values (in g/100g of dry matter) of protein (7.86 ±0.01), ether extract (2.95 ±0.07), phosphorus (0.19 ±0.07) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (57.14 ±1.28); a lower content of ashes (7.23 ±0.28), calcium (1.13 ±0.06), potassium (0.94 ±0.02), pectin (0.10 ±0.01) and reducing sugars (0.45 ±0.01), while the contents of iron (37.2 ±0.2mg/100gDM) of energy (434.5 ±0.2kcal/100gDM) and of structural fibers were higher. The analysis of antinutritional factors revealed moderate presence of saponins and alkaloids and absence of tannins and cyanogens. The results indicate that Epiphyllum hookeri phyllocladia can be considered as potential sources of food supplements in diets.

Palabras clave : Cactaceae ; Epiphyllum hookeri ; Factores Antinutricionales ; Filocladios .