Article
Food Science & Technology
Ambrogina Albergamo, Angela Giorgia Potorti, Giuseppa Di Bella, Nawres Ben Amor, Giovanna Lo Vecchio, Vincenzo Nava, Rossana Rando, Hedi Ben Mansour, Vincenzo Lo Turco
Summary: This study analyzed various dried by-products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica and found that the peel and fruit of the cactus were abundant in fiber, while the seeds were high in protein and potentially a source of edible oil rich in linoleic acid. The cactus and peel had high levels of magnesium, potassium, manganese, and iron, while the fruit pulp mainly consisted of glucose and arabinose. The peel also contained a significant amount of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds. The findings suggest that the Tunisian prickly pear cactus has potential for sustainable production, waste management, and health benefits.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ezequiel Hernandez-Becerra, Maria de los Angeles Aguilera-Barreiro, Margarita Contreras-Padilla, Esther Perez-Torrero, Mario E. Rodriguez-Garcia
Summary: Nopal pads undergo changes in chemical composition at different maturity stages. They provide an excellent source of nutrition and should be included in human diets worldwide. Transforming them into powders can reduce product loss during harvest season and their physicochemical properties in the maturity stage can be utilized for treating or preventing nutritional related diseases.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ghanya Al-Naqeb, Cinzia Cafarella, Eugenio Aprea, Giovanna Ferrentino, Alessandra Gasparini, Chiara Buzzanca, Giuseppe Micalizzi, Paola Dugo, Luigi Mondello, Francesca Rigano
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as a green alternative to Soxhlet extraction for obtaining oils from Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) and Opuntia dillenii (OD) seeds. SFE with specific parameters produced oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The highest yield was achieved through Soxhlet extraction, and the most abundant fatty acid in all samples was linoleic acid. SFE of OFI seeds from Yemen resulted in the highest gamma-tocopherol content. Overall, SFE demonstrated its suitability for producing oils with potential applications in functional food and nutraceutical products.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Faten Mannai, Hanedi Elhleli, Ragab Abouzied, Ramzi Khiari, Younes Moussaoui
Summary: Opuntia ficus-indica is a renewable resource that can be used as a cellulose source for producing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The chemical composition of the plant's fibers was determined and cellulose fibers were extracted and used to synthesize biodegradable hydrogel films, which can potentially replace synthetic polymers in packaging films.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romina Castaneda-Arriaga, Adriana Perez-Gonzalez, Tiziana Marino, Nino Russo, Annia Galano
Summary: Phenolic acids in nopal can prevent the formation of hydroxyl free radicals by chelating copper ions, thereby reducing the harmful effects caused by oxidative stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicholas A. Niechayev, Jesse A. Mayer, John C. Cushman
Summary: This study investigated the relative contributions of C-3 photosynthesis and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) during the earliest stages of development in cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) to assess their impact on productivity. The results show that CAM is the primary form of photosynthetic carbon assimilation for cactus pear even at the earliest stages of seedling or daughter cladode development.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Francisco J. Barba, Cyrielle Garcia, Amandine Fessard, Paulo E. S. Munekata, Jose M. Lorenzo, Aouatif Aboudia, Adbelouahab Ouadia, Fabienne Remize
Summary: Cactus Opuntia ficus indica is a widely distributed plant in arid regions, and its fruit and cladodes are processed into various food products. With its high antioxidant activity, rich nutritional content, and functional features, this cactus has great potential for applications in flour, bakery products, and fermented foods.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Fatiha Brahmi, Federica Blando, Redha Sellami, Sabrina Mehdi, Luigi De Bellis, Carmine Negro, Hayate Haddadi-Guemghar, Khodir Madani, Lila Makhlouf-Boulekbache
Summary: In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was developed to extract phenolic compounds from Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) flowers. Optimal UAE conditions were found to be 36% ethanol, an extraction time of 60 minutes, and a temperature of 53℃. The UAE process showed higher extraction efficiency and shorter extraction time compared to conventional methods, and the OFI flower extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arturo Coronado-Contreras, Xochitl Ruelas-Chacon, Yadira K. Reyes-Acosta, Miriam Desiree Davila-Medina, Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes, Leonardo Sepulveda
Summary: Prickly pear peel residues can be used in solid-state fermentation to obtain bioactive compounds, and factors such as temperature, inoculum, and humidity affect the release and accumulation of tannins. The fermented extracts showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Article
Plant Sciences
M. Antunes-Ricardo, D. Guardado-Felix, M. R. Rocha-Pizana, J. Garza-Martinez, L. Acevedo-Pacheco, J. A. Gutierrez-Uribe, J. Villela-Castrejon, F. Lopez-Pacheco, S. O. Serna-Saldivar
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica extract and its glycoside isorhamnetin-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and in a xenografted-immunosuppressed mice model. Results showed that the extract and its compound reduced tumor growth by inducing apoptosis, increasing ROS production, and causing cell cycle arrest. The findings suggest the potential of these substances as an alternative treatment for colorectal cancer.
PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elias Benramdane, Nadia Chougui, Patricia A. B. Ramos, Nawal Makhloufi, Abderezak Tamendjari, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Sonia A. O. Santos
Summary: The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of lipophilic extracts from three varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica roots from Algeria were investigated for the first time in this study. The study revealed rich compounds and high antibacterial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sofia Trindade, Maria Ines Rouxinol, Ana Cristina Agulheiro-Santos
Summary: The storage behavior of prickly pears under modified atmosphere conditions using different packaging materials was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the biodegradable plastic bag was the most effective method in maintaining the fruit's quality during the 30-day storage period, with a weight loss lower than 5%. The cardboard box had a greater weight loss (>6%) and more fruit contamination by fungi.
Review
Plant Sciences
Luis Giraldo-Silva, Barbara Ferreira, Eduardo Rosa, Alberto C. P. Dias
Summary: The use of Opuntia ficus-indica fruits in the agro-food sector is increasing due to its organoleptic characteristics, nutritional value and health benefits. Industries from different sectors are interested in its metabolites for various purposes. This provides an economic growth opportunity for partners exploring non-conventional fruits. Recent studies have shown that consumption of the fruit improves human health through antioxidant and other pharmacological activities. Therefore, a systematic review is provided for researchers, consumers and stakeholders regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of O. ficus-indica fruits.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Giuseppa Di Bella, Giovanna Lo Vecchio, Ambrogina Albergamo, Vincenzo Nava, Giovanni Bartolomeo, Antonio Macri, Loretta Bacchetta, Vincenzo Lo Turco, Angela Giorgia Potorti
Summary: Sicilian dried nopal was chemically characterized for the first time in relation to cultivar and pruning season. It was found to be rich in dietary fiber, inorganic elements, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. It was also a good source of carbohydrates, with low fat content. The fatty acid composition was dominated by short and long chain fatty acids. Both cultivar and pruning season had an impact on macro- and micronutrients, with pruning season being more pronounced.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Talia Humphries, Shane Campbell, Singarayer Florentine
Summary: Opuntia species are significant weeds worldwide, posing threats to economic and environmental assets. They can cause health issues and reproduce quickly. Biological control and herbicide treatments have been effective, but more research is needed for better management strategies.
