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

Abstract

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.

Assembly of the Cereus fernambucensis Genome, Gene Annotation, and Tertiary Structure of Secondary Metabolism Enzymes in Carnegiea gigantea, Lophocereus schottii, Pachycereus pringlei, Pereskia humboldtii, Selenicereus undatus, and Stenocereus thurberi

“…The plant family Cactaceae comprises around 1400 succulent and non-succulent species distributed throughout the entire American continent [1]. In Mexico, more than 150 species of cacti are used by indigenous people, and at least 50 of them are cultivated [2], some species such as Opuntia ficus-indica, Hylocereus undatus, and Acanthocereus tetragonus, stand out for their economic importance as producers of food, forage, and dyes [3][4][5][6]. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in searching for metabolites in some cactus species in order to apply that knowledge in the industry.…”

“…The analysis of methanolic extracts of crude and cooked stems of A. tetragonus -using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry indicated the presence of carboxylic acids such as threonic, citric, and malic acids, phenolic acids, and glycosylated flavonoids (luteolin-O-rutinoside). The proportions of citric acid found within these compounds are noteworthy because this organic acid is highly demanded by the food and beverages, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries [5]. HPLC analysis results in three Opuntia species (O. ficusindica, O. undulata, and O. stricta) detected ascorbic acid, flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, kaempferol, and luteolin), betalains, taurine, total carotenoids, and total phenolics.…”