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Betalains are plant pigments with biological properties and can be used instead of synthetic colorants to confer color and functional properties to foods. The objective of this work was to carry out the chemical characterization of two varieties of prickly pear of Opuntia ficus‐indica, one of yellow‐orange coloration (Mandarina) and the other of purple coloration (Vigor), through measurements of chemical parameters and color in pulp, antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and betalain content. Considering the thermolability of betalains and their potential applications in food, the thermal stability and activation energy of betacyanins from Vigor variety and betaxanthins from the Mandarina variety were also evaluated and compared with those from beetroot, the main source of betalains. Results for chemical characterization agreed with previous prickly pear reports of other regions, while the thermal degradation kinetics of betalains showed a first‐order degradation pattern with respect to time and temperature treatment. Betacyanins from Vigor prickly pear showed similar thermal stability to those from beetroot, which was reflected in similar values of activation energy, while betaxanthins from Mandarina prickly pear showed a higher stability, and therefore a higher activation energy, than those from beetroot. Based on the results, the prickly pear varieties used in this study can be considered as a good source of betalains with potential applications in food and, in addition, the methodology for the evaluation of thermostability can be used to compare the stability of betalains from different sources in a temperature range of 50–90°C. Practical Application: The varieties of prickly pear used in this study can be considered a good source of red‐purple and yellow‐orange easily extractable pigments. In addition, we report a methodology that can be used for the evaluation of the thermal stability of these pigments and to compare this stability between different plant sources. Gaining knowledge on betalain thermal stability will make it possible to propose specific applications, for example, in processed foods requiring different pigment stabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) are the main strategy for biodiversity conservation in Colombia and the world. One way to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of NPAs is through the species they protect, especially those species whose populations are in decline (threatened). The objective of this work was to evaluate the species richness of threatened and endemic endangered vertebrates within the NPAs of the Pacific region of Colombia, as well as to describe the areas of greatest species richness in the region. Using information available from the IUCN and Birdlife-International, species richness maps were designed at the general and biotic group levels. We found that more than 80% of the threatened and endemic vertebrate species are distributed inside the NPAs of the Pacific region of Colombia. We suggest that the NPAs of the Colombian Pacific play a fundamental role in the conservation of threatened species in the region. Implications of the results obtained in terms of the international agreements to which Colombia subscribes are presented, as well as some recommendations for future related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]