Clase III Son tierras que soportan las actividades agrícolas, pecuarias o forestales, adaptadas
PEA (MUJERES) % PEA (HOMBRES) % TOTAL PEA
Prickly Pear introduction
" Tenacious monument of deserts" : is this metaphor that is at best described the character of the prickly pear fruit crowned with thorns that survives the arid and dry desert temperatures .
For a long time, the prickly pear cactus has been a symbol of tradition Azteca : today is a source of interest not only in food and agriculture , but also in the phytotherapy and cosmetics .
Origin of the term
The botanical name of the prickly pear is Opuntia ficus-indica : This demoninazione , still today, was qualified by Miller in 1768 , but the name probably derives from Christopher Columbus, who in 1493 believed to be just landed in India.
The prickly pear is a native plant of Mexico : the importance of this plant for Mexicans is such as to embody the symbol of the country, so much so that even appears in the flag of the Mexican Republic . The opuntia is widespread, currently , across America , the Mediterranean (especially Sicily ) , in Africa , Asia and
Australia. Features
The prickly pear belongs to the family of Cactaceae and is a succulent plant that can go up to 5 meters in height.
Cladodes (or blades , improperly called leaves) are the stem and branches are grouped forming . Are covered with a waxy film that protects the plant from excessive heat , preventing perspiration and protect it from a possible attack by predators.
After four years of development, cladodes undergo lignification , which constitutes a real trunk . Even the opuntia , cactus like all delegates the chlorophyll function and not the stem to the leaves , and these are very small and are found only in the young blades . The areolas , at the base of the leaves , develop in plugs or roots in particular calls glochids , or flowers.
The fleshy fruit is covered by areolae , some varieties of prickly pear can not have spines : the color of the fleshy berry may have a yellow- orange, red or white . The flavor is sweet and pleasant.
nutritional
• Chemical composition of the "leaves "
Cladodes of the plant contain a substantial amount of water, but they also represent a valuable source of trace elements ( potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, silica) , nutrients (especially crude fiber,
carbohydrates) and vitamins, especially vitamin C and precursors vitamin A ( beta -carotene , lutein and alpha -cryptoxanthin ) . The juice of the leaves are not lacking thiamine , riboflavin, niacin , vitamin B6 and folate. In addition, in the leaves of the prickly pear are many amino acids, including 7 essential .
• Chemical composition fruit / seeds
If the seeds are rich in lipids and proteins , fruits sovrabbonadano of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. In the fruit there are also substances such as anti -oxidants indicaxantina and betanin , which contrast the oxidative processes .
Customs and traditions
There are many uses of the prickly pear : many customs have their roots in the ancient Aztec people : even then , the Aztecs used the leaves of the prickly pear to breed an insect Dactylopius coccus Costa , which was used to obtain the cochineal red . Was extracted from the body of the insect dried red staining , which is still high demand for cosmetic , pharmaceutical, textile and food industries.
At one time, the juice extracted from the leaves was used as a lubricant to facilitate the movement of large blocks of stone ; also associated with honey and egg yolk , appeared to be useful against sunburn . It could also be used to relieve inflammation , dislocations and tonsillitis .
Thanks to the resources vitamin , the prickly pear was also used by the conquerors of Mexico to combat scurvy, deficiency disease of vitamin C.
The flowers, in contemporary medicine Mexican, are used to counter cystitis and as a diuretic , the fruit help to stop the diarrhea and exert astringent actions , while the fiber and mucilage are still used as protectors of the gastric mucosa and as regulator of blood sugar.
The opuntia has cholesterol-lowering properties due to the fibrous component of the leaves , mucilage , as well as giving the homonymous plant property gastroprotettrici , give it also anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It demonstrated the positive effect , exerted by soluble fibers , in the decrease of plasma
cholesterol and in delaying the absorption of glucose .
In the Sicilian folk medicine to counteract renal colic we recommend the decoction of dried flowers Opuntia .
In the case of surface wounds , you may take advantage of the mucilage cladode for emollient, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory .
The use of the prickly pear is particularly interesting also in cosmetics , for the manufacture of creams, moisturizers , shampoos , soaps, lotions with astringent action , and appears to promote hair growth.
Properties of the prickly pear
Recently, in the Department of Medicine, New Orleans ( United States) has been shown a possible effect in reducing symptoms that follow the alcoholic intoxication .
Even the antioxidant action of the prickly pear has been demonstrated by a study carried out in the Department of Pharmaceutics , Toxicology and Biological Chemistry , University of Palermo , and the Department of Pharmacy, University of Jerusalem : betanin and are indicaxantina the two antioxidants responsible for anti- free radical action .
The activities diuretic and citoprotettrici have a foundation of truth : these actions attributed to the prickly pear are valued by the Department of Biological Medicine Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Messina : namely, the diuretic activity is enhanced infusion so the fruit and not from the flower.
food use
The use food Opuntia refers to fruits, rich in sugar , calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C can be used fresh or for the manufacture of liqueurs , jellies , jams, juices and sweeteners . Even the cladodes are exploited by the food industry : they are preserved in vinegar or candied .
The prickly pear can also be used as fodder .
In Sicily there is the tradition of producing a special syrup from the pulp without seeds : it is used to prepare cakes rustic .
recommendations
The fruit should not be eaten in excessive quantities : it may cause , in fact, intestinal blockage , which is why not recommended in people who suffer from intestinal diverticula .