Seasonal variability of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in prickly pear cladodes of Opuntia and Nopalea genres

Abstract

The prickly pear is a cactaceae that have chemical compounds that act as natural antioxidants. In addition, the prickly pear is a plant widely used in semiarid region as it's considered very important forage for animal feed, especially in the dry season. The objectives of this research were to characterize the main classes of phytochemicals, determine the phenols content, flavonoids and anthocyanins and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the prickly pear cultivars Opuntia and Nopalea grown in the semiarid region of Pernambuco in two collection periods (dry and rainy). In the work crude ethanol extracts from cladodes of cultivars (IPA-20, Elephant Ear Mexican, F-08, V-19, Small palm, F-21 and IPA-Sertânia) were used. As for the class of phytochemical compounds from ethanol extract only the flavonoids and steroids were detected in all prickly pear cultivars, in both periods analyzed. The content of phenolic compounds ranges from 1.24 to 5.41 mg GAE g -1 DM, flavonoids 0.90 to 3.43 mg QE g -1 DM, anthocyanins from 0.05 to 0.34 µg QE 100 g -1 DM and antioxidant activity 39.59 to 217.17 µM TEAC g -1 DM. The occurrence of chemical variability and antioxidant activity were observed, both among the botanical cultivars studied and among the collection periods.Keywords: biodiversity and nutrition; cactus pear; flavonoids; phenolic acids; phytochemicals.Practical Application: Use of cladodes of prickly pear cultivars as functional foods in the diet human and animal.

Copolymerized Natural Fibre from the Mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (Babassu Fruit) as an Irrigating-Fertilizer for Growing Cactus Pears

“…The higher crude protein (CP) content obtained in the WH irrigation-fertilization in the cultivation of cactus pear was because the plant in this treatment suffered water stress, which in forage plants can increase their cellular content, especially CP content [ 54 , 55 ]. The application of fertilizers via localized irrigation is recommended, as small doses of micronutrients in a small volume of soil because conventional dosage can be phytotoxic.…”

Chemical Characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Hydroalcoholic Extract and Its Efficiency against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep

“…According to reference [ 5 ], the carbohydrate and protein contents found in cladodes in natura were from 3 to 7% and from 0.5 to 1%, respectively. As expected, the composition of the plant material may vary according to the edaphoclimatic conditions, cultivation method, the season of the year, the origin of collection, and age of the plant [ 23 ].…”

“…Of note, it is important to mention that despite the significant phenolic content, other components that were not tannins were predominantly present in OFIEOH. Other studies with O. ficus-indica extracts described variations of tannin contents from 1.2 to 3.2 mg of proanthocyanidins/g dry extract [ 23 ]. According to reference [ 14 ], using extracts from fruit skin and seeds of Opuntia spp., the authors found that tannins were the main phenolic compounds, representing almost 50% of the total contents.…”

“…This variation demonstrated that different portions of the plant could also affect the phytochemical composition. As mentioned before, different cultivation and climatic conditions can influence the composition of plant constituents [ 23 ]. This information also underscores the importance of studies using different fractions of plants, with the objectives to improve their activity and to identify their major components.…”

Natural colourants analysis and biological activities. Association to molecular markers to explore the biodiversity of Opuntia species

“…Despite the socio‐economic and environmental roles of cactus in the world, the national germplasm of this culture remains little characterised. Independent studies either for genetic diversity, 10–13 or chemical profile of cactus 14–16 have been undertaken in recent years, but no work has been done focusing on the influence of genetic variability on cactus metabolites until now. Therewith, the objective of this study was to characterise the national germplasm of cactus fruit to better guide the different types of use of this crop according to its agronomic characteristics and chemical profile.…”