The addition of cladodes (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller) to instant maize flour improves physicochemical and nutritional properties of maize tortillas

Abstract The high consumption of maize tortillas in Mexico has prompted the widespread use of instant maize flours in the food industry, lowering the fibre and calcium contents in tortillas compared to the traditional nixtamal process. The inclusion of food sources such as cladodes could improve the nutritional value of maize tortillas. The aim of this study was to assess the physicochemical (rheology, puffing, rollability, and colour) and nutritional (chemical composition and in vitro intestinal bioaccessibility of calcium) parameters of maize tortillas made from commercial flour, substituted with 3% and 6% cladode flour. Partial substitution of maize flour with dried cladodes proved to be a good alternative to conventional tortillas both from a sensorial and a physical point of view. An improved rheological behaviour was observed in the dough, in addition to good puffing and rollability characteristics and an attractive colour of maize tortillas. The substitution of 6% maize flour with dried cladodes increased soluble fibre and calcium contents, and improved calcium intestinal absorption (bioaccessibility 48%), giving a value closer to that of traditional nixtamal maize tortillas. The introduction of cladode-supplemented instant maize flours on the market could help improve the fibre and calcium intake –and thus the health status– of the Mexican population.