Opuntia mucilage extraction techniques: analysis of yield and quality

Mucilage is a natural polymer obtained from plants belonging to botanical families such as Plantaginaceae, Malvaceae, Linaceae and Cactaceae. The Opuntioideae subfamily has been the most studied among the Cactaceae due to its wide availability, adaptability and high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. However, its low extraction yield is the main limitation of scaling up mucilage production. Numerous studies have explored methods to improve the yield and quality of mucilage, yet a comprehensive scientific-technological approach remains lacking. Key questions remain unanswered, such as how to maximize yield, what variables significantly influence the solid-liquid extraction process and what phenomena occur at the microscale level during extraction. This review examines the state of the art of mucilage extraction from Opuntioideae plants and identifies the extraction methods, stages, common pretreatments and variables that influence yield and their effect on mucilage properties. Additionally, it highlights mucilage composition and its relationship with rheological properties. The findings reveal that mucilage separation from cell tissue is a complex and multifactorial process. Critical knowledge gaps are identified, including the role of transport phenomena, the influence of particle size, the nature of components in the extracted solution and the intrinsic characteristics of plant materials. Moreover, innovative technologies for mucilage extraction have yet to be fully explored. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.