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Opuntia Italia is a leading European company in the production of plant-based ingredients extracted from prickly pear cladodes grown on over 4,000 hectares of intensive Sicilian cultivation.
We offer a range of semi-finished products derived from this extraordinary plant, known for its nutritional value and beneficial properties for the gastric system and skin.
Our products are divided into two categories: dry dehydrated products and gel extracts.
Each format is designed to meet specific needs in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.
All our products are certified organic and vegan, compliant with the strictest European health regulations and procedures.
We believe that our semi-finished products represent an interesting opportunity to enrich your offering with a unique plant-based ingredient.
Opuntia cladodes boast important claims recognized by the Ministry of Health, claims that can be immediately reported on the label without further analysis.
Claims recognized by the Ministry of Health (reportable on the label):
1. Emollient and soothing action (digestive system)
Thanks to the high content of polyphenols and complex sugars, mucilage forms a protective barrier along the walls of the stomach and esophagus, providing relief from gastric reflux, ulcers, or inflammation. The same soothing action also applies to the skin, as demonstrated by several scientific publications and studies we commissioned at the University of Ferrara.
2. Balanced body weight and modulation of nutrient absorption
Mucilage, regenerated with water in the stomach, reduces the absorption of sugars and fats, also acting as an appetite suppressant and contributing to the reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Other benefits:
• Regular intestinal transit and prebiotic action: thanks to the high content of soluble (39.58 g/100 g) and insoluble (14.29 g/100 g) fiber.
• Emollient and gastric soothing action: mucilage forms a protective anti-inflammatory layer on the gastric mucosa.
• Anti-aging action: dehydrated products exhibit exceptional antioxidant activity (ORAC 49,800 µmol TE/100 g), with a polyphenol content five times higher than pomegranate.
NopalGel also boasts an antioxidant profile (1038 µmol TE/100 g) superior to many red fruits (red grapes, cherries, pink grapefruit, etc.).
Production process
The dehydrated products are dried at low temperatures (45°) to preserve their nutritional properties. Gel extraction is performed mechanically using proprietary cold technology.
Year of establishment:
2021
Number of employees:
FROM 3 TO 9 EMPLOYEES
Annual turnover:
Under 250.000 Euro
Reference year of turnover:
2024
Export turnover:
0
Activities:
Growing of perennial crops
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Company:
AGRINSICILIA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA AGRICOLA E SOCIALE A.R.L.
Web site:
Address:
VIA G. PACINI, 6
City:
LICATA (AG)
Zip Code:
92027
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NopalGel
NopalGel is a premium botanical ingredient derived entirely from whole *Opuntia ficus-indica* cladodes grown in Sicily’s vast, certified organic agricultural areas.
Each cladode undergoes rigorous quality control before entering the production line; the gel is then extracted via a proprietary cold mechanical process that preserves the natural polysaccharide matrix intact.
Available as a viscoelastic whole gel, NopalGel is specifically formulated for use in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical sectors.
Physically and functionally, it shares strong similarities with Aloe vera but offers documented superior efficacy, particularly for skin and digestive health. Consuming the product in its natural viscoelastic liquid form enhances the barrier effect, providing emollient and soothing action throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Thanks to its high content of polyphenols and complex sugars, the mucilaginous fraction forms a protective film against reflux and gastric inflammation.
Similarly, when applied topically, the gel offers remarkable soothing and cooling properties for sunburns, reducing subcutaneous fluid loss and maintaining skin softness.
Furthermore, the presence of piscidic acid and linear polysaccharide chains helps accelerate healing and tissue repair processes.
NopalGel’s analytical profile and purity are certified through rigorous laboratory testing: the product is completely free of heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, cadmium, mercury, nickel, lead, and antimony) and is tested for nickel, cobalt, chromium, lead, cadmium, and gluten.
It also boasts an ORAC value of 1038 µmol TE/100g and a rich profile of essential minerals, including potassium (1250 ppm), calcium (1271 ppm), and magnesium (350 ppm).
Compliant with the strictest European regulatory standards, NopalGel is an organic, vegan, and clean-label ingredient designed to enhance functional beverages, emollient creams, and advanced dietary supplements. The company offers various packaging options—ranging from 5 Kg and 25 Kg HDPE containers to 1000 kg industrial drums—while supporting business partners with scientific expertise and dedicated technical assistance for the development of custom formulations.
OpuntiaDry
OPUNTIA DRY — High-Purity Dehydrated Product Line
Raw Material: 100% *Opuntia ficus-indica* sourced from certified organic farms in Sicily (San Cono district and other prime cultivation areas).
Supply Chain Identity: 100% Upcycled, Made in Italy, zero-residue, vegan, and compliant with the strictest GMP standards and European regulations.
1. General Information on the OpuntiaDry Range
Conventional industrial dehydration processes often irreparably compromise the phytocomplex due to high temperatures, exposure to light, and environmental contamination. The OpuntiaDry line stands out, thanks to an exclusive, proprietary process that ensures:
• Individual Manual Inspection: Every single cladode (prickly pear pad) is inspected by hand to ensure there is no internal rot before it enters the production line.
• Low-Temperature Dehydration (45°C): The process takes place at a controlled, gentle temperature of 45°C, preserving the biological matrix, mucilages, vitamins, and active ingredients without any thermal denaturation.
• Drying in Total Darkness (Zero Photo-oxidation): Drying occurs entirely in the dark within proprietary drying units, eliminating photo-oxidation and ensuring maximum stability of both color and the phytochemical profile.
• GMP Standards and Freedom from Environmental Contamination: The equipment is designed and constructed entirely from food-grade stainless steel and housed in protected environments, eliminating the dust contamination typically associated with open-air, sun-drying methods. • Zero Carrier (100% Purity): Unlike industrial spray-drying, which necessitates the use of additives or maltodextrins, OpuntiaDry requires no chemical carriers, ensuring a 100% pure ingredient.
2. Specifications and Applications: Diced Format (NopalDry)
• Format and Cut: Whole 2 x 2 cm cubes.
• Raw Material Selection: Selected cladodes (pads) aged between 3 and 5 years—the optimal maturity level to balance the concentration of fibers, polysaccharides, and mucilages.
• Process: Specialized drying at 45°C, preserving the anatomical structure of the plant tissue.
• Properties and Benefits: Rich in both soluble and insoluble fibers—preserved through low-temperature processing—it promotes regularity and healthy intestinal transit, while providing an emollient and protective effect.
• Fields of Application:
o Nutraceutical Industry: Ideal for the production of functional herbal teas, plant extracts, granular powders, or as a raw material for on-demand grinding.
o Herbal and Food Sectors: Perfect for galenical preparations, infusions, and phytotherapeutic blends with high health-promoting value.
OpuntiaDry A
OPUNTIA DRY — Format A (Tisane Cut / Broken Leaf)
The Format A of the OpuntiaDry line by Opuntia Italia (Agrinsicilia / 2B division, Licata - AG) represents the ideal solution for the herbal and nutraceutical industries requiring a coarse, consistent particle size optimized for herbal teas, decoctions, and galenical preparations.
1. Technical & Process Specifications
Cut Type (Format A): Tisane cut / broken leaf with controlled particle size, designed to ensure optimal water permeability and rapid extraction of water-soluble active ingredients.
Raw Material Selection: Certified organic Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes harvested from dedicated Sicilian areas, aged between 3 and 5 years to ensure the perfect balance of mucilage, fibers, and phenolic compounds.
Proprietary Drying Technology:
Gentle dehydration at low temperature (45°C) to preserve the integrity of the phytocomplex and prevent thermal denaturation of vitamins and polysaccharides.
Process conducted completely in the dark within company dryers to completely eliminate photo-oxidation.
Protected processing environment complying with GMP standards, featuring food-grade stainless steel machinery with zero carriers or added chemical additives (100% purity).
2. Functional Properties & Benefits
Maximum Extractability: The tisane cut format ensures optimal wettability and infusion, gradually releasing the mucilaginous fraction and soluble fibers.
Emollient & Soothing Action: Ideal for formulations designed to protect and soothe the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
Intestinal Regularity: The combined supply of plant fibers naturally supports the physiological well-being of intestinal transit.
3. Main Fields of Application
Phytotherapy & Herbalism: Development of functional herbal tea blends, digestive infusions, and gastric-protective remedies.
Nutraceutical Industry: Use as raw material for aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extraction processes aimed at recovering Opuntia polysaccharides.
Food & Beverage: Formulation of health-oriented beverages and botanical infusion pre-mixes with high identity value (Made in Italy, Upcycled, and organic).
OpuntiaDry B
OPUNTIA DRY — Format B (Powder / Micronized)
The Format B (Powder / Micronized) of the OpuntiaDry line by Opuntia Italia (Agrinsicilia / 2B division, Licata - AG) represents the advanced technological solution designed for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries requiring a very fine powder ingredient with extremely high reactivity and solubility.
1. Technical & Process Specifications
Format Type (Micronized Powder): Finely ground Opuntia ficus-indica cladode powder characterized by a homogeneous and reduced particle size, ideal for ensuring maximum contact surface and uniform dispersion in complex matrices.
Raw Material Selection: Certified organic cladodes sourced from selected Sicilian cultivations, aged between 3 and 5 years to preserve the optimal balance of mucilage, polysaccharides, and soluble fibers.
Proprietary Drying & Processing Technology:
Initial dehydration at low temperature (45°C) to fully safeguard the phytocomplex and avoid any thermal stress or denaturation of active ingredients.
Process conducted entirely in the dark within proprietary dryers, eliminating photo-oxidation and preserving the original nutritional and chromatic profile.
Production environments complying with strict GMP standards, featuring food-grade stainless steel equipment and zero carriers (complete absence of additives, chemical supports, or maltodextrins: 100% ingredient purity).
2. Functional Properties & Benefits
High Bio-availability & Reactivity: Intensive micronization allows for rapid hydration and perfect interaction with liquids, immediately releasing film-forming and mucilaginous properties.
Emollient, Soothing & Regulating Action: Supports gastric functionality, digestive tract well-being, and intestinal transit regularity thanks to the native concentration of fibers and polysaccharides.
Clean Label & Total Traceability: Being free of chemical vectors, it perfectly meets market demands for clean label, organic, vegan, and traceable formulations (Upcycled and Made in Italy).
3. Main Fields of Application
Nutraceutical Industry: Formulation of capsules, tablets, single-dose sachets, and powder blends for functional supplements focused on metabolic and gastrointestinal well-being.
Food & Beverage: Utilization as a functional ingredient in powders for health drinks, meal replacements, or innovative food matrices.
Cosmetics & Cosmeceuticals: Used as an active ingredient in powders for facial masks, anhydrous preparations, or advanced cosmetic formulations requiring the moisturizing and soothing properties of Opuntia.
OpuntiaDry C
OPUNTIA DRY — Format C (Functional Flour / Medium Granulometry)
The Format C (Functional Flour / Medium Granulometry) of the OpuntiaDry line by Opuntia Italia (Agrinsicilia / 2B division, Licata - AG) represents the balanced technical solution specifically designed for the food, bakery, and nutraceutical industries that require an intermediate particle size, ideal for imparting structure, water retention, and functional fiber properties to doughs and food matrices.
1. Technical & Process Specifications
Format Type (Medium Granulometry Functional Flour): Calibrated milled powder/flour from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes (intermediate between the tisane cut and the micronized powder), engineered to ensure an excellent balance between flowability, liquid absorption capacity, and dough workability.
Raw Material Selection: Certified organic cladodes sourced from selected Sicilian cultivations, aged between 3 and 5 years to preserve the optimal balance of mucilage, polysaccharides, and insoluble/soluble fibers.
Proprietary Drying & Processing Technology:
Dehydration at low temperature (45°C) to fully safeguard the phytocomplex and avoid any thermal stress or denaturation of active ingredients.
Process conducted entirely in the dark within proprietary dryers, eliminating photo-oxidation and preserving the original nutritional and chromatic profile.
Production environments complying with strict GMP standards, featuring food-grade stainless steel equipment and zero carriers (complete absence of additives, chemical supports, or maltodextrins: 100% ingredient purity).
2. Functional Properties & Benefits
Excellent Water-Holding Capacity: Thanks to the native fiber structure preserved by the cold process, it retains water optimally, improving softness, freshness, and shelf-life in baked goods.
Dough Structure Support: Ideal for special formulations (including gluten-free or high-fiber products), where it acts as a natural texturizer and consistency improver.
Clean Label & Total Traceability: Free of chemical vectors, it perfectly meets market demands for clean label, organic, vegan, and traceable formulations (Upcycled and Made in Italy).
3. Main Fields of Application
Food & Bakery Industry: Utilization as a functional flour and adjuvant ingredient in bread-making, baked goods, fresh pasta, snacks, and health or dietetic products.
Nutraceutical Industry: Formulation of powder blends, functional bars, or preparations for dietary supplements rich in plant fiber.
Food & Beverage: Utilization in innovative food matrices that require a natural increase in the fibrous fraction and the rheological properties of the dough.