Effect of microwave heating on phenolic compounds of prickly pear (
            Opuntia ficus‐indica
            L.) seeds

Postharvest quality, quantification of betalains, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of peel, pulp, and juice of fruits of three prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.) cultivars of Colegio de Postgraduados in México, were measured. The red and orange cultivars showed outstanding features of postharvest quality (size, texture, TSS and pulp and juice content) highest content of betalains and phenolic compounds. Therefore, highest antioxidant activity. In general, the highest content of bioactive compounds was detected in the peel, besides the content in pulp and juice did not show statistically significant differences. Phenolic content is very high in comparison with other fruits. Antioxidant activity was measured by three assays:FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH. Three cultivars showed a high correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds. The methodologies used in this work are a very useful tool for the quantification of bioactive compounds in O. ficus-indica fruit tissues.

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Characterization and quantification of individual betalain and phenolic compounds in Mexican and Spanish prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill) tissues: A comparative study

Journal of Food Composition and Analysis ◽

10.1016/j.jfca.2018.11.002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Tomás García-Cayuela ◽

Andrea Gómez-Maqueo ◽

Daniel Guajardo-Flores ◽

Jorge Welti-Chanes ◽

M. Pilar Cano

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Comparative Study ◽

Prickly Pear ◽

Opuntia Ficus Indica

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Assessment ofOpuntia ficus-indicain vivo Following Ethnobotanical Survey: Confirmation of its Analgesic Activity

Phytothérapie ◽

10.3166/phyto-2019-0144 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (S1) ◽

pp. S191-S196

Author(s):

A. Mouhaddach ◽

A. El-hadi ◽

K. Taghzouti ◽

M. Bendaou ◽

R. Hassikou

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Analgesic Activity ◽

Prickly Pear ◽

Tail Flick ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Hot Plate ◽

Traditional Use ◽

Opuntia Ficus Indica ◽

Plant Parts

Opuntia ficus-indica(the cactus or prickly pear) is a cactus belonging to the Opuntiae family. Several Opuntiae plant parts have been used in traditional Moroccan medicine. In this study, we investigated its most common use as an analgesic. An ethnobotanical study ofOpuntia ficus-indicawas first conducted in 10 areas in Morocco. Extracts fromOpuntia ficus-indicacladodes were obtained using a decoction method and its analgesic activity in mice was investigated by the hot plate and tail flick methods. Cladode extracts had significant (p<0.05) analgesic activity at intraperitoneal doses of 300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight. Both methods revealed significantly increased latency at all three doses (p<0.05) compared to controls. These data suggest that the traditional use of this plant as an analgesic is valid; in fact, perhaps it may be a centrally-acting analgesic.

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Extraction of (Poly)phenolic Compounds of Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) Cladodes

Food Analytical Methods ◽

10.1007/s12161-020-01946-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elsy De Santiago ◽

Isabel Juániz ◽

Concepción Cid ◽

María-Paz De Peña

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Opuntia Ficus Indica

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Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear).

10.1079/fc.37714.20210115260 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nick Pasiecznik

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Large Scale ◽

Time Lag ◽

Prickly Pear ◽

Invasive Weeds ◽

Historical Records ◽

Opuntia Ficus Indica ◽

Actual Risk ◽

Invasive Spread ◽

Almost All

Abstract O. ficus-indica is highly valued as a fruit-producing cactus, also yielding 'leaves' that are used as a vegetable and browsed by livestock. It has been introduced widely from its native Mexico to almost all countries where the climate is suitable. The fruit is very rich in vitamin C and is exploited commercially in many areas. Many countries, especially in Asia, have recently established large-scale commercial plantations. However, O. ficus-indica, like several other species of Opuntia, have been known to spread and become invasive weeds. Historical records, however, appear to indicate a time-lag of about 100 years between introduction and the beginnings of invasive spread thus the actual risk may be low.

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