Potential Natural Dyes Food from the Powder of Prickly Pear Fruit Peels (Opuntia spp.) Growing in the Mediterranean Basin under Climate Stress

Opuntia ficus-indica Fruit: A Systematic Review of Its Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activities

The use of Opuntia ficus-indica fruits in the agro-food sector is increasing for a multiplicity of players. This renewed interest is, in part, due to its organoleptic characteristics, nutritional value and health benefits. Furthermore, industries from different sectors intend to make use of its vast array of metabolites to be used in different fields. This trend represents an economic growth opportunity for several partners who could find new opportunities exploring non-conventional fruits, and such is the case for Opuntia ficus-indica. O. ficus-indica originates from Mexico, belongs to the Cactaceae family and is commonly known as opuntia, prickly pear or cactus pear. The species produces flowers, cladodes and fruits that are consumed either in raw or in processed products. Recent publications described that consumption of the fruit improves human health, exhibiting antioxidant activity and other relevant pharmacological activities through enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. Thus, we provide a systematic, scientific and rational review for researchers, consumers and other relevant stakeholders regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of O. ficus-indica fruits.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Properties of Chemically Characterized Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Withania adpressa Coss. ex Batt

The current work was undertaken to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of a polyphenol-rich fraction from Withania adpressa Coss. ex Batt. After being extracted, the polyphenol-rich fraction was chemically characterized through use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant potency was assessed through the use of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Inflammatory and analgesic properties were assessed in vivo through the use of carrageenan and heat stimulus assays, respectively. Chromatographic analysis of polyphenol-rich fraction revealed the presence of potentially bioactive phenols including epicatechin, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rosmarinic acid. The polyphenol-rich fraction showed interesting anti-free-radical potency with a calculated IC₅₀ value of 27.84 ± 1.48 µg/mL. At the highest dose used (1000 µg/mL), the polyphenol-rich fraction scored good total antioxidant capacity with a calculated value of 924.0 ± 28.29 µg EAA/mg. The polyphenol-rich fraction strongly alleviated the inflammatory effect of carrageenan injected into the plantar fascia of rats resulting in inhibition up to 89.0 ± 2.08% at the highest tested dose (500 mg/kg). The polyphenol-rich fraction showed a good analgesic effect wherein the delay in reaction time to a thermal stimulus caused by 500 mg/kg had a highly similar effect to that induced by Tramadol used as a positive control. The findings of the current work highlight the importance of polyphenol-rich fractions from W. adpressa Coss. ex Batt. as an alternative source of natural antioxidant, inflammatory, and analgesic drugs to control relative diseases.

Responses of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy (Solanaceae) Growing in the Mediterranean Area to Changes in the Environmental Conditions: An Approach of Adaptation

Background

Flora growth is always influenced by the environmental conditions that surround the plant.

The Objective of the Study

The present research work was undertaken to study the response of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy to changes in the environmental conditions by investigating topographical, climatological, morphological, histological, and phytochemical aspects influencing the plant’s growth.

Materials and Methods

The topography of the study area was described using the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The bioclimatic study was carried out using a climatological database (TerraClimate) used for an old period 1960–1970 (OP) and a new period 2000–2019 (NP). The histological study on stems, leaves, and roots was investigated according to protocols as described in the present study. The phytochemical analysis was assessed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrophotometer after silylation.

Results

The topographical study showed that the selected stations varied in terms of topographical characteristics. The average annual precipitation recorded for the study area was 624 mm/year, and the thermal amplitude was around 34.64°C. The morphometrical study revealed that the plant had changes in length and width from one zone to another. The histometrical study of organs showed changes in tissue structure over time and location. The phytochemical content in the studied plants was also found to vary over time and location.

Conclusion

Based on the obtained results, we could confirm that W. frutescens has developed alternate strategies to mitigate increasingly harsh environmental conditions.

Physicochemical Evaluation of Edible Cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis Collected from the South Atlantic Coast of Morocco: A Promising Source of Dietary Supplements

The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis)—a genus of nonheterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria—is used in industrial applications and as a food supply. The current research work aims to study the physicochemical characteristics of A. platensis indigenous to the Moroccan Atlantic coast at Laayoune (Foum El Oued lagoon). The contents of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, lipids, minerals, heavy metals, energy value, humidity, ash, pigments, and tannins in A. platensis were investigated using protocols as described in the earlier literature. The values of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid contents in A. platensis were 58.9 ± 0.07, 14.67, and 45.54% respectively. The values of vitamins B₂ and B₃ dosed in A. platensis were 1.31 ± 0.19 and 30.8 ± 0.001 mg/kg, respectively. The values of heavy metals including lead and chromium were 70 ± 4.5 and 5 ± 0.5 PPB (parts-per-billion), respectively; however, no trace concerning cadmium was detected. The values of energy value, humidity, and ash content were 346.48 ± 0.21, 11.6 ± 0.17%, and 9.1 ± 0.21% kcal/100 g, respectively. The results of pigment content showed the presence of chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a, and carotenoids of 37.506 ± 3.38, 26.066 ± 3.08, and 9.52 ± 0.22 mg/g, respectively. The results obtained revealed that A. platensis indigenous to the Moroccan Atlantic coast at Laayoune was found to be very rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, ash, and pigments and lower in heavy metals and saturated fats when compared with species investigated in the literature. Thus, A. platensis indigenous to the Moroccan Atlantic coast at Laayoune fulfills the requirements for being used as dietary supplements.