Authors : M. Gerogiannaki-Christopoulou , C. Tzoutzoukou and T. Masouras
Abstract: Opuntia ficus-indica (fragosyko) is a very popular fruit in many Mediterranean countries, in Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico and other areas. This fruit is used for the production of an extraordinary aromatic spirit like tsipouro, after direct steam distillation of fermented Opuntia ficus-indica (fragosyko) pomace. The main objective of the present study was to analyze the unusual local and unique alcoholic beverage from the fermented fruit pomace of Opuntia ficus fragosyko from different areas of Hellas and to study its major and minor volatile compounds. The volatile compounds present in headspace fraction were isolated and identified by using a balance pressure headspace system Perkin-Elmer HS40 (Perkin-Elmer Analytical Instruments, Uberlingen, Germany) coupled to a GC/MS-Q 5050 system (Shimadzu Co, Kyoto, Japan). Totally 66 samples were analysed and 27 volatiles have been isolated.
M. Gerogiannaki-Christopoulou , C. Tzoutzoukou and T. Masouras , 2008. Evaluation of Macro-and Micro-Volatiles in Hellenic Local Alcoholic Beverage from Opuntia Ficus (Fragosyko). Agricultural Journal, 3: 429-438.