Determinación del uso del mucilago de nopal en la construcción de la época colonial (caso Convento de San Diego)

Research confirms the use of nopal (prickly pear) mucilage in colonial-era construction, specifically at Quito's Convent of San Diego. Analyzing nine mortar samples from 1597 to 1700, scientists identified spectral patterns matching cooked nopal mucilage—distinct from room-temperature samples—indicating its application for enhanced plasticity when combined with lime. This discovery sheds light on indigenous building techniques in Latin America's colonial architecture.

Silva Cascante, A., Vásquez Mora, C. A., & Uría Cevallos, G. (2020). Determining the use of nopal mucilage in the construction in colonial times (case of Convent of San Diego). Project Design and Management, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.35992/pdm.v2i1.433