Production of a natural red pigment derived from Opuntia spp. using a novel high pressure CO₂ assisted-process

Cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) have been identified to be an excellent source of betalain pigments which can be used as a red food colourant. In this work, pigments from cactus pear fruits were effectively extracted by high pressure carbon dioxide assisted-acidified water extraction after a pre-treatment with CO₂ at 375 bar, 55 °C and 60 minutes. Different process conditions, namely pressure, temperature and volume ratio of (solid–liquid mixture)/(pressurized CO₂), were tested in order to model the extraction of betalains from prickly pears via the response surface methodology. The best response was achieved at 100 bar, 40 °C and 20% volume ratio of (solid–liquid mixture)/(pressurized CO₂). Under these conditions, the betalains yield was 89 ± 0.7 mg per 100 g of dried fruit, 83% of the maximum extractable pigments from Opuntia spp. fruits. Furthermore, Opuntia spp. extracts presented a vivid red colour with high antioxidant activity.