The moisture, ash, free reducing sugar, starch, ether extractive, crude protein, amino acid and the heat energy contents of young and mature cladodes of Opuntia ficus‐indica, with or without fruits, are described. The measurements were made in each of the following stages of development: vegetative growth (March), full vegetative development, and at the beginning of fructification (October). Independently of developmental stage (different cladode types) the highest values were reached always in young cladodes in the following months: moisture content in March and October; ash and free reducing sugars in March; starch and ether extractive in September and October; crude protein in March and July. Crude fibre was maximal in September and global heat energy in October. The nutritive and caloric value of cladodes are compared to other products used for livestock nutrition.
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Retamal et al. (1987) studied this question.
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