Mineral Content of Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus and Hylocereus undatus) Seeds Grown in Turkey

Abstract

Pitaya is one of the most produced tropical fruits in Turkey because of its high economic value. Seeds of this fruit consumed with fruit are an important source due to nutritional and health benefits. In this study mineral and ash content of pitaya seeds were investigated. The research was carried out with two different species of pitaya, Hylocereus undatus (H. undatus) and Hylocereus polyrhizus (H. polyrhizus), which have red shell. H. undatus has a white pulp color while H. Polyrhizus has a red. The ash content of H. polyrhizus and H. undatus pitaya seeds was 2.78% and 4.09%, respectively. The main minerals detected in H. polyrhizus and H. undatus pitaya species were potassium (36.47 mg/kg and 31.99 mg/kg), magnesium (9.15 mg/kg and 9.16 mg/kg), phosphorus (8.99 mg/kg and 8.08 mg/kg), sulphur (6.11 mg/kg and 5.48 mg/kg) and calcium (2.17 mg/kg and 1.90 mg/kg). Mineral content of seeds of H. polyrhizus and H. undatus species were found similar to the pitaya species grown in different tropical countries.