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Maiuolo J, Nucera S, Serra M, Caminiti R, Oppedisano F, Macrì R, Scarano F, Ragusa S, Muscoli C, Palma E, Mollace V. Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Possess Important Beneficial Properties Dependent on Their Different Stages of Maturity. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1365. [PMID: 38794436 PMCID: PMC11124804 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered with thorns, and are essential to reduce excessive perspiration of water. The composition of cladodes is very varied, and the main constituents are water, fibers, polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, sterols, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for many beneficial activities for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and nutritional properties. The purpose of this manuscript was to compare the properties of cladodes belonging to the same plant but with different stages of maturity. Relative extracts were tested both in vitro and on a cell line and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties were found. The antioxidant activity was tested by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) test, and the measurement of cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Anti-apoptotic activity was evaluated by the annexin/PI assay and measurement of caspases 9 and 3 expression. The results obtained showed that the extracts considered possess antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the different stages of maturity of cladodes are essential for the performance of both functions. In addition, important variations were made in the dissolution of the extracts that brought greater safety in their use. In conclusion, this manuscript provides further information on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, which can be used as adjuvants in many human pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Maiuolo
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Saverio Nucera
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Maria Serra
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Rosamaria Caminiti
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesca Oppedisano
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Roberta Macrì
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Federica Scarano
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Salvatore Ragusa
- PLANTA/Research, Documentation and Training Center, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Carolina Muscoli
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (C.M.); (E.P.); (V.M.)
- Fondazione R. Dulbecco, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
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Hernández-Becerra E, de los Angeles Aguilera-Barreiro M, Contreras-Padilla M, Pérez-Torrero E, Rodriguez-Garcia ME. Nopal cladodes (Opuntia Ficus Indica): Nutritional properties and functional potential. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Quintero-García M, Gutiérrez-Cortez E, Bah M, Rojas-Molina A, Cornejo-Villegas MDLA, Del Real A, Rojas-Molina I. Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of the Mucilage Extracted from Fresh and Dehydrated Opuntia ficus indica Cladodes. Foods 2021; 10:foods10092137. [PMID: 34574247 PMCID: PMC8471229 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of sustainable extraction methods to obtain natural products constitutes a challenge for the food industry. The aim of this work was to compare yield, separation efficiency, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties of the mucilage extracted from fresh cladodes (FNM) and mucilage extracted from dehydrated cladodes (DNM) of O. ficus indica. Suspensions of fresh and dehydrated cladodes (4% w/w) were prepared for mucilage extraction by using a mechanical separation process. Subsequently, the separated mucilage was precipitated with ethyl alcohol (1:2 v/v) then, yield and separation efficiency were determined. The mucilage was characterized by measuring Z potential, viscosity, color, and texture attributes. Additionally, chemical proximate analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected in the yield and separation efficiencies between samples. Nevertheless, the dehydration process of cladodes prior to mucilage extraction increased protein, ashes, nitrogen free extract, and calcium content. The viscosity was higher in DNM than in FNM. The TGA revealed a different thermal behavior between samples. In addition, the DNM showed lower L (darkness/lightness), cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness values than those of FNM. These results support that differences found between the chemical and physicochemical properties of DNM and those of FNM will determine the applications of the mucilage obtained from the O. ficus indica cladodes in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Quintero-García
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico; (M.Q.-G.); (M.B.); (A.R.-M.)
- Doctorado en Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico
| | - Elsa Gutiérrez-Cortez
- Laboratorio de Procesos de Transformación y Tecnologías Emergentes de Alimentos, Departamento de Ingeniería y Tecnología, FES-Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli C.P. 54714, Mexico;
- Correspondence: (E.G.-C.); (I.R.-M.); Tel.: +52-56231919 (ext. 39602) (E.G.-C.); +52-442-192-1200 (ext. 75030) (I.R.-M.); Fax: +52-442-192-1302 (I.R.-M.)
| | - Moustapha Bah
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico; (M.Q.-G.); (M.B.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alejandra Rojas-Molina
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico; (M.Q.-G.); (M.B.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - María de los Angeles Cornejo-Villegas
- Laboratorio de Procesos de Transformación y Tecnologías Emergentes de Alimentos, Departamento de Ingeniería y Tecnología, FES-Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli C.P. 54714, Mexico;
| | - Alicia Del Real
- Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla C.P. 76230, Mexico;
| | - Isela Rojas-Molina
- Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Centro Universitario, Santiago de Querétaro C.P. 76010, Mexico; (M.Q.-G.); (M.B.); (A.R.-M.)
- Correspondence: (E.G.-C.); (I.R.-M.); Tel.: +52-56231919 (ext. 39602) (E.G.-C.); +52-442-192-1200 (ext. 75030) (I.R.-M.); Fax: +52-442-192-1302 (I.R.-M.)
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Perucini‐Avendaño M, Nicolás‐García M, Jiménez‐Martínez C, Perea‐Flores MDJ, Gómez‐Patiño MB, Arrieta‐Báez D, Dávila‐Ortiz G. Cladodes: Chemical and structural properties, biological activity, and polyphenols profile. Food Sci Nutr 2021; 9:4007-4017. [PMID: 34262754 PMCID: PMC8269681 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The nopal cactus is an essential part of the Mexican diet and culture. The per capita consumption of young cladodes averages annually to 6.4 kg across the nation. In addition to contributing to the country's food culture, the nopal is considered a food with functional characteristics since, in addition to providing fiber, an important group of polyphenolic compounds is present, which has given cladodes to be considered a healthy food, for what they have been incorporated into the diet of Mexican people and many other countries worldwide. Research suggests that polyphenols from cladodes act as antioxidants and antidiabetics. This review studies the main phenolic components in cladodes and summarizes both conventional and novel methods to identify them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Perucini‐Avendaño
- Departamento de Ingeniería BioquímicaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Mayra Nicolás‐García
- Departamento de Ingeniería BioquímicaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Cristian Jiménez‐Martínez
- Departamento de Ingeniería BioquímicaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - María de Jesús Perea‐Flores
- Centro de Nanociencias y Micro y NanotecnologíasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Mayra Beatriz Gómez‐Patiño
- Centro de Nanociencias y Micro y NanotecnologíasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Daniel Arrieta‐Báez
- Centro de Nanociencias y Micro y NanotecnologíasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Gloria Dávila‐Ortiz
- Departamento de Ingeniería BioquímicaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)Unidad Profesional Adolfo López MateosZacatencoDelegación Gustavo A. MaderoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
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Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: A Multi-Benefit Potential to Be Exploited. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26040951. [PMID: 33670110 PMCID: PMC7916838 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumer interest in foods with enhanced nutritional quality has increased in recent years. The nutritional and bioactive characterization of fruits and their byproducts, as well as their use in the formulation of new food products, is advisable, contributing to decrease the global concerns related to food waste and food security. Moreover, the compounds present in these raw materials and the study of their biological properties can promote health and help to prevent some chronic diseases. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (prickly pear) is a plant that grows wild in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, being a food source for ones and a potential for others, but not properly valued. This paper carries out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of prickly pear and its constituents, as well as its main biological activities and applications. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Many of its natural compounds have interesting biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial. The antioxidant power of prickly pear makes it a good candidate as an ingredient of new food products with fascinating properties for health promotion and/or to be used as natural extracts for food, pharmaceutic or cosmetic applications. In addition, it could be a key player in food security in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world, where there are often no more plants.
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