Stenocereus thurberi

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Common products:
- Fresh fruit of Stenocereus thurberi, sold as a fresh produce item.
- Processed fruit products: juice, jam, syrup, and dried fruit snacks.
- Plant material supplied to research institutions as a source of DNA; a draft reference genome (∼1.2 Gb) has been released for evolutionary and CAM‑photosynthesis studies.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The mature fruits are harvested in late summer. After cleaning and peeling, the pulp is crushed to obtain juice that is pasteurized (typically at 90 °C for 2 min), filtered, and packaged as a beverage, or boiled with sugar to produce jam, fruit butter, or syrup. Dried pieces are marketed as a snack. The juice can also be concentrated for use in flavored beverages, dairy products, and frozen desserts. The fruit contains approximately 85 % water, about 12 % soluble sugars (Brix ≈ 12), and has an acidic pH of 4.5–5.0, giving a sweet‑tart flavor suitable for confectionery and beverage formulations. No medicinal claims are associated with these products.

Properties relevant to use:
High moisture content yields a juice extraction efficiency of roughly 70 % (by weight). The sugar concentration provides natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugars in processed products. The organic acid profile stabilizes flavor after heat treatment. The low titratable acidity (~0.3 % citric acid equivalent) contributes to a mild tartness that balances sweetness, making the fruit suitable for applications ranging from drinks to confectionery. Seeds contain a small amount (≈ 5 % of seed weight) of oil rich in linoleic acid, but commercial oil extraction is not currently undertaken.

Standards and regulation:
Fresh and processed cactus‑fruit products are regulated as produce or fruit juices under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (21 CFR 110) and Codex Alimentarius (CXS 192‑1995). Processing facilities must implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and meet ISO 22000 food‑safety management requirements for international trade. Mexican fruit‑juice producers must also comply with NMX‑AA‑164‑SCFI‑2015, which specifies maximum allowable microbial loads.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Stenocereus thurberi is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List (2021). Wild harvesting occurs selectively in late summer to avoid over‑exploitation. In recent years, small orchards have been established in northern Mexico for commercial fruit production, decreasing pressure on wild populations. International trade of live plants is regulated under CITES; the species is not listed, but exporters must obtain phytosanitary certificates from the Mexican Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA). No CITES restrictions apply.

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