Characterization of Micronutrients, Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Prickly Pear Cladodes as Functional Ingredient

A Healthy Brazil Nut Beverage with Opuntia stricta var. dillenii Green Extract: Beverage Stability and Changes in Bioactives and Antioxidant Activity during Cold Storage

Plant-based beverages are one of the foods that currently arouse a lot of interest in the population due to their composition with compounds beneficial to health in addition to their being used as milk substitutes for people who suffer from food disorders. Also, their fortification with different nutrients or healthy ingredients with the aim of improving plant-based health potential is actually gaining importance in the food industry. For this reason, the aim of the present investigation was the preparation of a healthy Brazil nut beverage enriched with Opuntia stricta var. dillenii pulp green extracts (ODPs), in order to produce a healthy plant-based beverage with improved nutritional characteristics. The microstructural characterization of the Brazil nut beverage, its stability during cold storage for up to 24 days at 5 °C, the composition of bioactive compounds provided via ODP extract (betalains and phenolic compounds), and their antioxidant activity were evaluated in this study. Green ODP extracts (0.5 and 1 g/100 g beverage) were added to a standardized Brazil nut beverage (reduced fat beverage). The characterization of the bioactive composition (betalains and phenolic compounds) of the elaborated beverage was achieved via HPLC (UV-vis and MS-QT of detection), and the antioxidant activity measurements via ORAC were also carried out. Optical microscopy, particle size, and Z potential analysis was conducted to characterize the structure of the Brazil nut beverages as food emulsions in which ODP extract was added. Most of the bioactive compounds from the green ODP extract added to the beverages showed good retention and remained stable throughout the 24 days of storage at 7 °C, with encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 98.34% to 92.35% for betalains and from 93.67% and 81.20% for phenolic compounds. According to the results of this study, Brazil nut beverage seems to be a healthy and efficient food emulsion system to encapsulate ODP extract rich in betalains and phenolic compounds, with high antioxidant activity, making possible the development of a Brazil nut beverage with improved health potential.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial: Efficacy of Opuntia ficus-indica Prebiotic Supplementation in Subjects with Gut Dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in gut microbiota composition and function. Opuntia ficus-indica extract has been shown to modulate gut microbiota by improving SCFA production in vivo and gastrointestinal discomfort (GD) in humans. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of OdiliaTM on gastrointestinal health by changing the microbial diversity of species involved in inflammation, immunity, oxidation, and the brain-gut-muscle axis. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 80 adults with gut dysbiosis. The intervention consisted of a 300 mg daily intake of OdiliaTM (n = 40) or maltodextrin as a placebo (n = 40), administered for 8 weeks. Intervention effect was evaluated using 16S metagenomics and GIQLI/GSAS scores at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks. Eight weeks of OdiliaTM supplementation positively modulates gut microbiota composition with a significant reduction in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (p = 0.0012). Relative abundances of beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Clostridium_XIVa) were significantly increased (p < 0.001), in contrast to a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory bacteria (p < 0.001). Accordingly, GIQLI and GSAS scores revealed successful improvement in GD. OdiliaTM may represent an effective and well-tolerated treatment in subjects with gut dysbiosis.

Opuntia ficus indica cladode as fermentation feedstock for lactic acid production by Lactobacillus acidophilus LA 5

Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes are by-products which contain high amounts of fibres, bioactive and functional compounds. Given their high annual productivity per hectare, cladodes represent a cheap and suitable substrate, usable for fermentation processes. We investigated their potential as a substrate for the growth and production of lactic acid from Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5. A separate hydrolysis and fermentation was performed. The concentration of reducing sugars obtained after the dilute acid and enzymatic hydrolysis was 28.45 g/L. The lactobacillus count ranged from 6.03 to 8.1 log CFU/mL, whereas lactic acid yield and productivity were 0.63 g/g and 0.73 g/L h, respectively. The maximum lactic acid concentration was found to be 17.5 g/L. This study reports the possibility of using the O. ficus indica cladode for lactic acid production by LA-5 aiming to reduce costs for sustainable industrial production.

Global Research Trends on the Utilization of Nopal (Opuntia Sp) Cladodes as a Functional Ingredient for Industrial Use

Although nopal cladodes are a valuable bioactive compound source, they have historically been underused. This review draws a parallel between quantitative and qualitative data from the most outstanding scientific research concerning nopal cladodes in the last five years by implementing a bibliometric analysis. Italy, Mexico, Brazil, and Morocco accounted for approximately 55% of the 111 articles selected for this review. Nopal cladodes are a great source of nourishing ingredients such as mucilage, pectin, insoluble fibers, minerals, ascorbic acid, and bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (e.g., β-carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin), flavonoids (e.g., isorhamnetin, quercetin, rutin, and catechin), phytosterols (e.g., β-sitosterol and β-campesterol). Additionally, they offer technological benefits as a food ingredient, allied to good sensory acceptability. The findings suggest that medium-aged cladodes (20 days) have the highest concentration of soluble fiber, protein, and bioactive compounds, rendering them the optimal maturity stage for consumption and processing. Therefore, nopal cladodes can be exploited for several industries, including biotechnology, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, and they have attracted attention as a promising ingredient for the food industry in the concept of the next generation of innovative and functional vegetable foods.

Purification and Characterization of Polyphenol Oxidase in the Fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica

Firstly, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was purified from the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica using Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity chromatography, and the enzyme was characterized. The PPO was purified 20.59-fold. Thereafter, PPO was performed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The kinetic parameters, optimum pHs, and optimum temperatures were investigated for three substrates. Opuntia ficus-indica PPO's optimum pH and optimum temperature were 9.0 and 20 °C; 7.5 and 20 °C; and 7.5 and 30 °C, respectively, when using pyrogallol, catechol, and 4-methyl catechol as substrates. For the pyrogallol, catechol, and 4-methyl catechol, the Km, Vmax, and Vmax/Km values were determined as 16.67 mM, 833.33 U/mLmin, and 50 U/mLminmM; 6.33 mM, 126.58 U/mLmin, and 20 U/mLminmM; and 5.38 mM, 107.53 U/mLmin, and 20 U/mLminmM, respectively. As a result, pyrogallol was a more appropriate substrate than catechol and 4-methyl catechol for the PPO from Opuntia ficus-indica.

Oil-Based Double Emulsion Microcarriers for Enhanced Stability and Bioaccessibility of Betalains and Phenolic Compounds from Opuntia stricta var. dillenii Green Extracts

Opuntia cactus fruit (prickly pear flesh and agricultural residues such as peels and stalks) is an important source of bioactive compounds, including betalains and phenolic compounds. In this work, two double emulsion W₁/O/W₂ formulations (A and B) were designed to encapsulate green extracts rich in betalains and phenolic compounds obtained from Opuntia stricta var. dillenii (OPD) fruits with the aim of improving their stability and protecting them during the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process. In addition, the characterization of the double emulsions was studied by microscopy and the evaluation of their physical and physico-chemical parameters. Formulation A, based on Tween 20, showed smaller droplets (1.75 µm) and a higher physical stability than Formulation B, which was achieved with sodium caseinate (29.03 µm). Regarding the encapsulation efficiency of the individual bioactives, betalains showed the highest values (73.7 ± 6.7 to 96.9 ± 3.3%), followed by flavonoids (68.2 ± 5.9 to 95.9 ± 7.7%) and piscidic acid (71 ± 1.3 to 70.2 ± 5.7%) depending on the formulation and the bioactive compound. In vitro digestive stability and bioaccessibility of the individual bioactives increased when extracts were encapsulated for both formulations (67.1 to 253.1%) in comparison with the non-encapsulated ones (30.1 to 64.3%), except for neobetanin. Both formulations could be considered as appropriate microcarrier systems for green OPD extracts, especially formulation A. Further studies need to be conducted about the incorporation of these formulations to develop healthier foods.

Opuntia spp.: An Overview of the Bioactive Profile and Food Applications of This Versatile Crop Adapted to Arid Lands

Opuntia spp. are crops well adapted to adverse environments and have great economic potential. Their constituents, including fruits, cladodes, and flowers, have a high nutritional value and are rich in value-added compounds. Cladodes have an appreciable content in dietary fiber, as well as bioactive compounds such as kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. Fruits are a major source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and vitamin C. The seeds are mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The flowers are also rich in phenolic compounds. Therefore, in addition to their traditional uses, the different plant fractions can be processed to meet multiple applications in the food industry. Several bakery products have been developed with the incorporation of cladode flour. Pectin and mucilage obtained from cladodes can act as edible films and coatings. Fruits, fruit extracts, and fruit by-products have been mixed into food products, increasing their antioxidant capacity and extending their shelf life. Betalains, obtained from fruits, can be used as food colorants and demonstrate promising applications as a sensor in food packaging. This work reviews the most valuable components of the different fractions of this plant and emphasizes its most recent food applications, demonstrating its outstanding value.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Biotransformation of Opuntia Ficus Fruit: The Effect of In Vitro and Ex Vivo Gut Microbiota Metabolism

Opuntia ficus-indica biological effects are attributed to several bioactive metabolites. However, these actions could be altered in vivo by biotransformation reactions mainly via gut microbiota. This study assessed gut microbiota effect on the biotransformation of O. ficus-indica metabolites both in vitro and ex vivo. Two-time aliquots (0.5 and 24 h) from the in vitro assay were harvested post incubation of O. ficus-indica methanol extract with microbial consortium, while untreated and treated samples with fecal bacterial culture from the ex vivo assay were prepared. Metabolites were analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-MS, with flavonoid glycosides completely hydrolyzed in vitro at 24 h being converted to two major metabolites, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and phloroglucinol, concurrent with an increase in the gallic acid level. In case of the ex vivo assay, detected flavonoid glycosides in untreated sample were completely absent from treated counterpart with few flavonoid aglycones and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid in parallel to an increase in piscidic acid. In both assays, fatty and organic acids were completely hydrolyzed being used as energy units for bacterial growth. Chemometric tools were employed revealing malic and (iso)citric acids as the main discriminating metabolites in vitro showing an increased abundance at 0.5 h, whereas in ex vivo assay, (iso)citric, aconitic and mesaconic acids showed an increase at untreated sample. Piscidic acid was a significant marker for the ex vivo treated sample. DPPH, ORAC and FRAP assays were further employed to determine whether these changes could be associated with changes in antioxidant activity, and all assays showed a decline in antioxidant potential post biotransformation.

An overview and update on the chemical composition and potential health benefits of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), widely recognized as prickly pear, is native to Mexico and it is distributed in many areas of the world because of its socioeconomic, agronomic, and ecological benefits, besides its large amounts of functional, nutraceutical, and biological activities. Various parts of this plant including the fruit pulp and peel, cladode, and seeds are scientifically proven to have therapeutic potentials and are safe for human use. The contents of phytochemical compounds in each part of the OFI are different. Each pharmacological activity depends on the phytochemical compounds, the components used, and the extraction type. In this review, we summarize the active constituents from different parts of OFI and their pharmacological effects including the antioxidant, wound healing, skin protective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic, and anti-obesity activities. Besides its effects on the bone health, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, its gastroprotective, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic and antimicrobial effects and effects on cognitive and memory function are also mentioned. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Over the past few decades, the health benefits of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) have received much attention. All parts of the plant, including the fruit pulp and peel, cladode, and seeds have found use in the treatment of many diseases. The chemical composition of OFI provides both a high nutritional value and various health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the up-to-date research carried out on OFI phytochemicals, showing the most important biological activities reported.

Cactaceae plants as sources of active bioavailable phytochemicals

Arid-land plants from the Cactaceae family are endemic to the Americas and cultivated worldwide. Cactaceous plants and their fruits contain phenolic compounds, betalains, vitamins, carotenoids, minerals, and soluble fiber. Edible cactaceous matrices can be considered functional foods since their consumption may confer health benefits. These plants could be a source of novel bioactive compounds relevant to the area of phytomedicine. However, consumption of high concentrations of active molecules is not necessarily correlated to beneficial physiological effects because phytochemicals must be released from the food matrices under physiological conditions, resist digestion-associated chemical transformations, and remain in their active state in systemic circulation until the target tissues are reached. Notably, although digestion may either increase or decrease the bioactive phytochemicals' activity and stability, non-absorbed compounds may also be relevant for human health. Additionally, food matrices' type and composition and their technological processing operations may influence the compounds' release, stability, and accessibility. Thus, this review provides insights on the feasibility of using Cactaceae plants as sources of functional compounds. It is focused on compounds' bioactivity, bioaccessibility, and overall bioavailability after their metabolic transformation. Also, it addresses the influence of food processing on bioactive compounds. Many Cactaceae species are unexplored, and our understanding of how they confer health benefits is limited. To better understand the physiological relevance, nutraceutical potential, and therapeutic feasibility of cactaceous bioactive phytochemicals, future research should focus on the metabolic stability and safety of these compounds, as well as their assimilation mechanisms (absorption, distribution, and metabolic fate).

Phenolic Compounds' Occurrence in Opuntia Species and Their Role in the Inflammatory Process: A Review

Within the Cactaceae family, Opuntia comprises the most widespread species, with a recognized importance in human life, including feeding, domestic use as home natural barriers, and as a traditional remedy for diverse diseases and conditions such asthma, edema, and burns. Indeed, scientific reports have stated that these health benefits may be due to various active compounds, particularly polyphenols, which are ubiquitously found in plants and have proven their pharmacological efficiency by displaying antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. Opuntia species contain different classes of phenolic compounds that are recognized for their anti-inflammatory potential. Among them, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol derivates were reported to greatly contribute to modulate cells’ infiltration and secretion of soluble inflammatory mediators, with key implications in the inflammatory process. In this review, we make a summary of the different classes of phenolic compounds reported in Opuntia species so far and explore their implications in the inflammatory process, reported by in vitro and in vivo bioassays, supporting the use of cactus in folk medicine and valorizing them from the socio-economic point of view.

Opuntia spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production

During the past decades, livestock production has increased significantly, which has led to the degradation of rangelands due to overgrazing. The lack of water in several arid areas has led to a decline in crop and animal husbandry. As a consequence, the demand for drought-resistant crops has increased significantly so as to keep crop and animal husbandry systems viable and sustainable. Cactaceae have adaptive characteristics that ensure their development progress under drought conditions. The present review provides information on the nutritive value of Opuntia in animal fodder production, its effects on animal performance, and the quality of the animal-derived products. In conclusion, the use of Opuntia as innovative alternative feed would render animal production systems more sustainable.

Impact of the Cooking Process on Metabolite Profiling of Acanthocereus tetragonus, a Plant Traditionally Consumed in Mexico

Acanthocereus tetragonus (L.) Hummelinck is used as an alternative food source in some Mexican communities. It has been shown that the young stems of A. tetragonus provide crude protein, fiber, and essential minerals for humans. In this work, we analyzed the phytochemical profile, the total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity of cooked and crude samples of A. tetragonus to assess its functional metabolite contribution to humans. The phytochemical profile was analyzed using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-HESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS). Under the proposed conditions, 35 metabolites were separated and tentatively identified. Of the separated metabolites, 16 occurred exclusively in cooked samples, 6 in crude samples, and 9 in both crude and cooked samples. Among the detected compounds, carboxylic acids, such as threonic, citric, and malic acids, phenolic acids, and glycosylated flavonoids (luteolin-O-rutinoside) were detected. The TPC and antioxidant activity were analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition method, respectively. The TPC and antioxidant activity were significantly reduced in the cooked samples. We found that some metabolites remained intact after the cooking process, suggesting that A. tetragonus represents a source of functional metabolites for people who consume this plant species.

Ultrasound-Assisted "Green" Extraction (UAE) of Antioxidant Compounds (Betalains and Phenolics) from Opuntia stricta var. Dilenii's Fruits: Optimization and Biological Activities

Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s prickly pears are an underutilized fruit with a high content of betalains and phenolic compounds that could bring potential health benefits for humans. The aim of this study is the optimization of the “green” extraction of betalains and phenolic compounds from Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s whole fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), using a response surface methodology (RSM) by a central composite design (CCD) in order to obtain extracts rich in betalains and phenolic compounds with proven biological activities. For UAE optimization, the extraction temperature (20–50 °C), the amplitude (20–50%) and the ethanol volume in extraction solvent (15–80%, v/v) were selected as independent variables. All combinations were conducted at 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min to determinate the time effect. The betalain and phenolic compound content in Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s whole fruits and UAE extracts were identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and HPLC-DAD-MS/QTOF and the antioxidant (ORAC method) and the anti-inflammatory (hyaluronidase inhibition method) in vitro biological activities also were determined. The most efficient extraction time was 5 min and the best UAE parameter combination was 50% amplitude, 15% ethanol in solvent (ethanol/water, 15/85, v/v) and 20 °C temperature, obtaining 10.06 ± 0.10 mg of total major betalains/g dry weight, 2.32 ± 0.08 mg of piscidic acid/g dry weight and 0.38 ± 0.00 mg of total major flavonoids/g dry weight. All applied UAE combinations significantly improved the in vitro bioactive activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of the Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s extracts compared to the bioactivities of the extracts obtained by standard homogenization processes.

Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of the Mucilage Extracted from Fresh and Dehydrated Opuntia ficus indica Cladodes

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.

Characterization, Stability, and Bioaccessibility of Betalain and Phenolic Compounds from Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii Fruits and Products of Their Industrialization

The aim of the present study was the full characterization, quantification, and determination of the digestive stability and bioaccessibility of individual betalain and phenolic compounds of Opuntia stricta, var. Dillenii fresh fruits (peel, pulp, and whole fruit) and of the products of the industrialization to obtain jam (raw pressed juice (product used for jam formulation), by-product (bagasse), and frozen whole fruit (starting material for jam production)). Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii fruits and products profile showed 60 betalain and phenolic compounds that were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and HPLC-DAD-MS/QTOF, being 25 phenolic acids (including isomers and derivatives), 12 flavonoids (including glycosides), 3 ellagic acids (including glycosides and derivative), and 20 betanins (including degradation compounds). In vitro gastrointestinal digestion was performed by INFOGEST^® protocol. Fruit pulp showed the greater content of total betalains (444.77 mg/100 g f.w.), and jam only showed very low amounts of two betanin degradation compounds, Cyclo-dopa-5-O-β-glucoside (and its isomer) (0.63 mg/100 f.w.), and two Phyllocactin derivatives (1.04 mg/100 g f.w.). Meanwhile, fruit peel was the richer tissue in total phenolic acids (273.42 mg/100 g f.w.), mainly in piscidic acid content and total flavonoids (7.39 mg/100 g f.w.), isorhamnetin glucoxyl-rhamnosyl-pentoside (IG2) being the most abundant of these compounds. The stability of betalains and phenolic compounds during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion is reported in the present study. In Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii pulp (the edible fraction of the fresh fruit), the betanin bioaccessibility was only 22.9%, and the flavonoid bioaccessibility ranged from 53.7% to 30.6%, depending on the compound. In non-edible samples, such as peel sample (PE), the betanin bioaccessibility was 42.5% and the greater bioaccessibility in flavonoids was observed for quercetin glycoside (QG1) 53.7%, the fruit peel being the most interesting material to obtain antioxidant extracts, attending to its composition on antioxidant compounds and their bioaccessibilities.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: A Multi-Benefit Potential to Be Exploited

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.