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The removal of chlorpyrifos (CPF) from water was achieved using activated carbon (AC) derived from prickly pear seeds (PPS) wastes, developed through chemical activation with phosphoric acid. Several physico-chemical characterization methods were employed. The determination of surface functions using the Boehm assay indicated that the processed AC predominantly possesses acidic functions. The results obtained from the Boehm assay were corroborated by the pH value of the point of zero charge (pH pzc ), which was equal to 2.5. Specific area calculation by the BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller) method revealed a large specific area (S BET ) of 1077.66 m 2  g⁻ 1 . Adsorption experiments of CPF on AC demonstrated that the pseudo-second order (PSO) model and the Freundlich model were the most suitable for kinetic and isothermal modeling, respectively. The maximum CPF adsorption capacity of the PPS AC was found to be approximately 35 mg g⁻ 1 . A theoretical study employing the density functional theory (DFT) was conducted using the B3LYP/6-311G (d, p) method. The most reliable adsorption energy (E ads ) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG ads ) values between CPF and the functional groups on the AC surface were calculated. Results indicated a strong interaction between the lactone group of AC and CPF (ΔG ads  = -7.15 kcal mol⁻ 1 , ΔE ads  = -21.55 kcal mol⁻ 1 ) and the hydroxyl group (ΔG ads  = -6.61 kcal mol⁻ 1 , ΔE ads  = -20.66 kcal mol⁻ 1 ). This study demonstrates that activated carbon possesses significant adsorption power, making it highly effective for depolluting water contaminated by pesticides. The application of the theoretical DFT method enhances the understanding of the adsorption phenomenon of CPF on AC., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human neutrophils can lead to oxidative imbalances and several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Opuntia ficus-indica (O. ficus-indica) is rich in bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds present in aqueous cladodes extract (ACE) of O. ficus-indica using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and to test its effects on human neutrophil inflammatory functions and on ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by acetic acid (Aa) in rats. ROS production and degranulation by neutrophils were assessed by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence, enzymatic techniques, and western blotting. In vivo, the experiment involved seven groups of rats: a negative control group (NaCl), the acetic acid group (Aa), and groups treated with oral sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) or various doses of ACE for 7 days. Colonic lesions were induced by an intra-rectal Aa injection, and inflammation was assessed. HPLC analysis identified gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid as major compounds in ACE. In vitro, ACE inhibited neutrophil ROS production, including superoxide anion produced by NADPH oxidase, and significantly reduced myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil degranulation. In vivo, ACE protected rats from Aa-induced histopathological damage of the colonic mucosa, significantly increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione levels, and significantly suppressed the increases of plasma cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) observed in the Aa group. In conclusion, O. ficus-indica ACE has significant anti-inflammatory properties by restoring oxidative balance, indicating that it could be a potential source of therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases, particularly UC., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Opuntia plants are abundant but still underexplored edible resources of the Algerian region. This work chemically characterizes extracts of different parts of the fruit of the commercial Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. and the wild Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. growing in Bejaia, and evaluates their anti-inflammatory potential through different cell and cell-free bioassays. The LC-ESI-UHR-QqTOF-MS/MS analysis enabled the identification of 18 compounds, with azelaic acid and 1-O-vanilloyl-β-d-glucose reported here for the first time. Aqueous extracts of seeds were the most effective in scavenging superoxide anion radical (IC 50  = 111.08 μg/mL) and presented the best anti-inflammatory potential in LPS-stimulated macrophages (IC 50  = 206.30 μg/mL). The pulp of O. stricta suggested potential for addressing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, with piscidic and eucomic acids predicted with the strongest binding affinity towards tyrosinase, exhibiting higher scoring values than the reference inhibitor kojic acid. This pioneer study brings valuable perspectives for the pharmacological, nutritional and economic valorization of the wild O. stricta for functional foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This study endeavoured to capitalize on prickly pear by-products for the optimization of molasses formulation, targeting elevated antioxidant capacities and superior sugar contents. Through robust statistical modelling, the optimal cooking parameters-temperature (70-80 °C) and duration (60-90 min)-were determined, guided by responses of antioxidant activity and Brix value. A D-Optimal mixture design further delineated the ideal proportions of molasses components (pulp, peel, and seeds). Characterization revealed that peel harboured the highest concentrations of total polyphenols (396.41 mg GAE/100g FW) and flavonoids (234.26 mg CE/100g FW), emphasizing its antioxidant potential (DPPH inhibition IC50: 12.72 µg/ml). The optimal cooking conditions were established at 78.35 °C for 79.70 min, with predictive equations guiding ingredient proportions (0.265 g pulp, 0.710 g peel, 0.025 g seed). Intriguingly, while peel inclusion enhanced total sugar content and antioxidant activity, seed incorporation exerted a contrasting effect by reducing total sugar content and limiting antioxidant activity.

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 indic a cladode for lactic acid production by LA-5 aiming to reduce costs for sustainable industrial production.

In this work the mucilage obtained from the cladodes of a not previously investigated accession of Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (syn. Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw), collected in Sicily, was analysed by 13 C-NMR. The yield of mucilage extracted from cladodes in aqueous medium was 2.55%. The monosaccharides identified, after acidic hydrolyses of the mucilage, were arabinose (36.48%), galactose (32.31%), xylose (15.33%), glucose (10.45%) and rhamnose (5.40%). The mucilage showed a sufficient antimicrobial activity and excellent antioxidant property.

Sunflower oil (SFO) and Flaxseed oil (FSO) were microencapsulated using simple and complex coacervation techniques with Opuntia (Cactaceae) mucilage (Mu) and with a combination of Mu with chitosan (Chit). The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of SFO and FSO in emulsions using Mu/Chit shells was 96.7% and 97.4%, respectively. Morphological studies indicated successful entrapment of oils in core shells with particle sizes ranging from 1396 ± 42.4 to 399.8 ± 42.3 nm. The thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated enhanced core protection with thermal stability noted for microcapsules regardless of encapsulation method. The stability of the microcapsules, during in vitro digestion was studied. The obtained results revealed that the microcapsules are intact in oral conditions and have a slow release of oil over stomach digestion and rapid release in the small intestine. The results showed that Mu and Mu/Chit coacervates can be used as effective carrier systems to encapsulate sensitive ingredients and functional oils., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. has been used in folk medicine against several diseases. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the chemical composition of the methanolic extract of O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. flowers and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Besides, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to explore the potential antitumor effect of active metabolites of O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. against breast and liver cancer. The results revealed many bioactive components known for their antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Furthermore, scavenging activity was obtained, which indicated strong antioxidant properties. The plant extract exhibited antimicrobial activities against Aspergillus brasiliensis (MIC of 0.625 mg/mL), Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at MICs of 1.25 mg/mL. The results revealed proapoptotic activities of the O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. extract against MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and HepG2 cell lines, where it induced significant early apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at sub-G1 phases, besides increasing the expression levels of p53, cyclin D1, and caspase 3 (p <0.005). The network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis revealed that the anticancer components of O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. flower extract targets the PI3K-Akt pathway. More investigations might be required to test the mechanistic pathways by which O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill. might exhibit its biological activities in vivo., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Mwaheb et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Plant-derived nanovesicles represent a novel approach in the field of plant-derived biomaterials, offering a sustainable and biocompatible option for various biomedical applications. The unique properties of these vesicles, such as their ability to encapsulate bioactive compounds, make them suitable for therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutraceutical purposes. In this study, we have, for the first time, successfully bio-fabricated vesicles derived from Opuntia ficus-indica (FicoVes) using an efficient and cost-effective method. Characterized by a size of approximately of 114 nm and a negative zeta potential of -20.9 mV, FicoVes exhibited excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, showing no reduction in the viability of human and animal cells. Our results showed that FicoVes possess significant antioxidant properties as they reduced ROS generation in TBH-stimulated cells. FicoVes displayed anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il 1β, TNF α) and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4, IL10) following an inflammatory stimulus. Furthermore, FicoVes accelerated epithelial wound closure in L929 fibroblast monolayers in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting their potential role in tissue repair. This study establishes FicoVes as a promising candidate for nutrigenomic applications, particularly in the context of inflammation-related disorders and wound healing. Further research, including in vivo studies, is essential to validate these findings and fully explore their therapeutic potential.

The valorization of agro-industrial byproducts in domestic animal feed has the potential to reduce the cost of animal production. This trial was conducted to determine the effect of incorporating prickly pear byproducts (envelopes and cakes) as a partial substitute for corn and soybean meal in the diet of wheat quails (Coturnix coturnix) during their rearing period. Six hundred-day-old Coturnix coturnix quails of equal sex ratio (1:1), weighing on average 7 ± 0.5 g, were randomly distributed into four groups, one control group and three experimental groups, according to the rates of incorporation of prickly pear cakes and envelopes, in sequential or nonsequential mode, in the different rearing phases. Each batch (150 subjects) was subdivided into five packs of 30 animals and randomly distributed according to the rate of incorporation (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) of prickly pear envelopes and cakes. The live weight at 45 days and average daily gain (ADG 1 - 45d ) increased significantly with the introduction of byproducts in all rearing phases (SF CEPP ). The carcass yield increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the introduction of byproducts in the finishing phase (F CEPP ) and in all rearing phases (SF CEPP ). The mineral content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all the experimental groups. The protein content increased significantly by 2 points on average when the two prickly pear byproducts were introduced in all rearing phases. The blood biochemical profile of each experimental batch was not influenced by the incorporated prickly pear byproducts. Prickly pear envelopes and cakes in wheat quail feed improve growth performance and meat quality, particularly when they are introduced in the finishing phase and in all rearing phases., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and digestibility of nutrients, production and composition of milk, and water intake of lactating dairy cows fed standard diets in which ground corn (C) was replaced by up to 100% in the diet by cactus pear (CP). Eight Girolando cows (½ Gyr x ½ Holstein), 3rd calf multiparous, with 60 to 80 days of lactation and an average weight of 450.0 ± 30.0 kg, were randomly distributed in a double Latin square (4 × 4). Four experimental diets were evaluated: (100% C + 0% CP), (66.6% C + 33.3% CP), (33.3% C + 66.6% CP), and (0% C + 100% CP). There was a difference (P < 0.05) in the intake of CP and EE (kg.day - 1 ), with a quadratic effect and a linear reduction, respectively, with substitution. The maximum CP intake of 3.05 kg.day - 1 was found at 46.07% and EE intake fell by 3.81 g for each percentage unit of cactus pear added to the diet. There was a quadratic difference (P < 0.05) for DM intake in %BW and g.kg BW 0,75 , with maximum values of 3.97%BW and 186.8 g.kg BW 0,75 with the substitution of 54.83 and 53.17%, respectively. There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for the intake of NDF in %BW, with the maximum intake of 1.3% at the 74.69% substitution level. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in the digestibility of DM, NDF, and TDN, and for the other nutrients there was no substitution effect (P > 0.05). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in milk production and composition. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in water intake. Cactus pear can be used in a promising way to replace ground corn up to 100% in the diet of lactating dairy cows., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Over the past decade, several studies have established a direct link between functional foods, nutraceuticals, and a reduced risk of oxidative-stress-related diseases. Nutraceuticals, which encompass a variety of bioactive molecules, exhibit both nutritional and therapeutic properties. The cactus pear ( Opuntia spp.) is a plant genus with many species recognized as functional foods, largely attributed to their high content of nutraceuticals, including polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, pigments, and phytosterols. These compounds of different structures and functions possess different biological activities, contributing to the health-promoting properties of cactus pear. This makes cactus pears a valuable plant for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. While extensive research has focused on the nutritional profile of cactus pear fruits, the cladodes have received comparatively limited attention. Notably, the nutritional composition of cladodes can exhibit considerable variability, influenced by species and growing conditions. Furthermore, although various bioactive compounds have been identified in cladodes, studies elucidating their mechanisms of action, health benefits, and potential therapeutic applications remain insufficient. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing the understanding and utilization of cactus pear cladodes. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the structure-function relationships of the main nutraceuticals found in cactus pear cladodes. It synthesizes data from recent and relevant literature to elucidate the content of these compounds in relation to species and geographical origin, while also detailing the main biological activities and health-promoting benefits associated with cactus pear cladodes.

Background: Currently, research is focused on therapeutic plants which are regarded as a supply of several phytotherapeutic compounds with several activities; among these plants we find cacti., Aim: The purpose of this work is to reveal the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of fruit peel from Opuntia stricta., Methods: The phenolics profile has been obtained by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectroscopy analysis, antioxidant capacity has been evaluated by DPPH, FRAP, CAT, and ABTS • + free radical, and the antimicrobial activity was tested against 7 bacteria and 3 fungi., Results: The results reveal that EFOS has a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, quinic acid, and hyperoside which were the most dominant. Moreover, the observed antioxidant capacity of the extract was remarkable. In addition, a high antimicrobial capacity especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Pythium catenulatum . These results indicate that fruit peels of O. stricta have potential applications as a natural preservative in cosmetics and in food formulations, and also as a natural remedy., Conclusion: The finding proved that EFOS is characterized first by a wide variability of polyphenols and flavonoids and secondly by good potential antioxidant and antibacterial activities., Competing Interests: The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

Opuntia dillenii cladodes are rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, vitamins and fibres. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different prebiotics on the bioactive compounds' stability, bioacessibility, bioactivity and sensorial characteristics of ultrasound-treated nopal cladode (Opuntia dillenii) beverages. Five formulations were prepared: untreated beverage (BC); ultrasound-treated beverage (BU); and ultrasound-treated beverage with inulin (BIU) or fructo-oligosaccharides (BFU) or polydextrose (BPU). The addition of prebiotics increased dietary fibre in beverages (10.44-20.70 %). BPU presented higher concentrations and stability of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and ascorbic acid; in addition to greater antioxidant activity (FRAP) and maintained the inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme. BFU showed higher bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and maintained inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme. The addition of prebiotics minimized undesirable sensory characteristics in the beverages. These findings suggest that adding prebiotics to nopal beverages may maintain functionality and increase the acceptability of these products during storage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The fruit extract of Opuntia stricta var. dillenii (OSDE) has been recognized for its effects on hepatic steatosis, but the compounds responsible for this activity have yet to be precisely identified. This work aimed to evaluate the anti-steatotic effect of OSDE and its different fractions obtained by fast centrifugal-partition chromatography (FCPC) to identify the compounds potentially responsible for this biological activity. Hepatic lipid accumulation and triglyceride content were evaluated, as well as cellular antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Pool 1-Pool 4 showed lower lipid accumulation than OSDE in liver cells, while a greater reduction in triglyceride levels, even lower than OSDE and lovastatin (LOV), was observed for Pool 1, 9, and 10. Compared to OSDE, Pools 1,6, 7, and 12 showed higher cellular antioxidant effects, whereas OSDE showed better lipid peroxidation inhibition than all of Pools. Quinic and piscidic acids were the main bioactive present in Pool 1, exhibiting +1597 % and + 997 % increases in their content related to OSDE, respectively. Likewise, the most abundant compounds in Pool 2- Pool 4 were betalains such as betanin and isobetanin, with +163 % and + 162 % of increases in their concentration related to OSDE, respectively. Antioxidant effects in Pools 6 and 7 correlated with higher phenolic acid concentration. OSDE significantly reduced triglyceride levels in a steatotic-induced model. Although OSDE showed anti-steatotic effects, they were more pronounced for some of its constituents in FCPC Pools. Results suggested that these compounds might be potentially responsible for this anti-steatotic effect. FCPC fractionation facilitated the separate biological evaluation of OSDE constituents and thus identified them. Future studies should focus on validating these anti-steatotic effects in in vivo models., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation has been proven to promote human health. The effect of different LAB fermentation on the quality of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit juice (OFIJ) was investigated. OFIJ was an excellent substrate for fermentation, with colony counts of more than 8 log CFU/mL after fermentation. The fermentation altered the acid and sugar contents. Simultaneously, the total phenolic and anthocyanin contents significantly increased. Antioxidant activity enhanced significantly in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HNU082-fermented OFIJ, primarily in ABTS + (increased by 16.81%) and DPPH (increased by 23.62%) free radical scavenging ability. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HNU502-fermented OFIJ showed the most potent inhibition of xanthine oxidase (IC 50  = 31.01 ± 3.88 mg TAC/L). Analysis of volatile and non-volatile compounds indicated that fermentation changed the flavor quality and metabolic profiles and caused the most significant modifications in amino acid metabolism. These findings offer valuable information into processing of OFIJ, making it a great choice for functional foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Buffering of stomach acid by antacids is a well-established symptomatic therapy for heartburn. In addition, preparations from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) have been shown to reduce tissue damage in experimental gastritis models and to attenuate gastrointestinal discomfort in patients. Both active principles have been included in a fixed-combination product for symptomatic treatment of heartburn containing carbonate antacids (CaCO3 and MgCO3) and an extract from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes. The aim of the study was to characterize the acid neutralization and esophageal cell protective activities of the product and its individual active ingredients in a set of in vitro assays. Acid neutralization was assessed in a simulated stomach model. Protective activity of individual constituents and in combination was analyzed in an esophageal cell line (COLO-680 N) exposed to low pH and deoxycholic acid to simulate acidic and non-acidic reflux challenge. The combination product protected cells against low pH mediated cytotoxicity via acid neutralization by carbonates. Opuntia extract itself and the combination product attenuated bile acid-induced cell irritation as measured by reduced release of proinflammatory interleukin-6 and -8. In conclusion, addition of Opuntia extract to a mineral antacid provides dual protection against acidic and non-acidic simulated reflux challenge., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from the dysbiosis of periodontal bacteria and the host's immune response, leading to tissue degradation and sustained inflammation. Traditional treatments, such as mechanical debridement and antimicrobial agents, often fail to fully eradicate pathogenic bacteria, especially in deep periodontal pockets. Consequently, the need for novel therapeutic approaches has increased the interest in bioactive natural extracts, such as that of Opuntia ficus-indica , known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study investigates the encapsulation of Opuntia ficus-indica extract in OFI-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (OFI-NPs) via ionotropic gelation using a microfluidic system, allowing precise control over nanoparticle characteristics and enhancing protection against enzymatic degradation. To achieve localized and sustained release in periodontal pockets, a thermo-responsive hydrogel comprising hyaluronic acid and Pluronic F127 (OFI@tgels) was developed. The transition of OFI@tgels from a solution at low temperatures to a solid at body temperature enables prolonged drug release at inflammation sites. The in vitro application of the optimized formulation eradicated biofilms of S. mutans , P. aeruginosa (PAO1), and P. gingivalis over 36 h and disrupted extracellular polymeric substance formation. Additionally, OFI@tgel modulated immune responses by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and promoting a shift to the M2 phenotype. These findings suggest that OFI@tgel is a promising alternative treatment for periodontitis, effectively reducing biofilm formation and modulating the immune response.

Controlled drug delivery systems offer numerous advantages. This research evaluates Opuntia leaf mucilage grafted with polyacrylamide (OPM-g-PAM) as a promising controlled-release polymer. PAM chains were grafted onto the backbone of OPM using a microwave-assisted method. Optimization of the best grade was based on % grafting efficiency and intrinsic viscosity, followed by extensive physical and analytical characterizations. Analytical characterizations revealed semicrystalline nature of the biomaterial. SEM and AFM observations revealed rough and porous surfaces, indicating effective grafting. Swelling behavior showed maximum sensitivity at pH 7, with reduced swelling at higher sodium chloride concentrations. A comparative study of % drug release of Rosuvastatin over 24 h showed that the optimized grade controlled drug release effectively, achieving 78.5 % release compared to 98.8 % for GF-3. The release data fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, with an "n" value of 0.8334, indicating non-Fickian (anomalous) diffusion. Bacterial biodegradability studies confirmed the high biodegradability of the graft copolymer. In vitro acute toxicity tests showed no toxicity, as confirmed by histopathological studies of heart, liver, and kidney. Overall, the results indicate that OPM-g-PAM is a highly promising material for use in drug delivery systems, demonstrating potential as a novel controlled-release polymer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The study aimed to extract and encapsulate betalain pigment from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) using ultrasound-assisted extraction and eco-friendly glycerol. Subsequent analysis encompassed assessing its thermal stability, shelf-life, bio-accessibility, and biological properties. The process optimization employed Response Surface Methodology (RSM), focusing on glycerol concentration (20-50 %), sample to solvent ratio (1:10-1:20), temperature (30-60 °C), and time (10-30 min). Optimal conditions were determined as 23.15 % glycerol, 1:10 sample to solvent ratio, 10.43 min treatment time, and 31.15 °C temperature. Under these conditions, betalain content reached 858.28 mg/L with a 93.76 % encapsulation efficiency. Thermal stability tests (80-180 °C; 30 & 60 min) showed degradation of betalain with higher temperatures and longer durations, affecting the visual aspect (ΔE) of the pigment. Encapsulated betalain exhibited favorable shelf stability, with optimal storage life of 404.27 days at 4 °C in amber conditions, compared to 271.99 days at 4 °C without amber, 141.92 days at 25 °C without amber, and 134.22 days at 25 °C with amber. Bio-accessibility of encapsulated betalain was significantly higher (2.05 ± 0.03 %) than conventionally extracted pigment (1.03 ± 0.09 %). The encapsulated pigment displayed strong anti-inflammatory properties in dosages of 2-20 µL, with no cytotoxic effects. Additionally, incorporation into gummies was successful and visually approved by sensory panellists. Glycerol proved to be a green encapsulating agent for betalain, offering high shelf life and bio-accessibility, making it suitable for food industry applications. The encapsulated pigment demonstrated robust thermal stability and shelf life, making it suitable for food industry applications. This study highlights glycerol's potential as a sustainable alternative for natural pigment extraction., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill is frequently observed in the Moroccan traditional medicinal system, where these approaches are employed to mitigate the onset of diabetes and the subsequent complications it may entail., Aim of the Study: The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil in preventing diabetic complications. Specifically, the study assessed its ability to counteract glycation at various stages, protected red blood cells from the harmful effects of glycated albumin, and inhibited pancreatic lipase digestive enzymes to understand its potential antihyperglycemic properties. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the chemical components responsible for these effects, evaluate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and conduct computational investigations such as molecular docking., Materials and Methods: The assessement of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil antiglycation properties involved co-incubating the extract oil with a bovine serum albumin-glucose glycation model. The study investigated various stages of glycation, incorporating fructosamine (inceptive stage), protein carbonyls (intermediate stage), and AGEs (late stage). Additionally, measurement of β-amyloid aggregation of albumin was performed using Congo red, which is specific to amyloid structures. Additionally, the evaluation of oil's safeguarding effect on erythrocytes against toxicity induced by glycated albumin included the measurement of erythrocyte hemolysis, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione. The fatty acid of Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The in vitro evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity involved the use of pancreatic lipase enzyme, while the assessement of antioxidant capability was carried out through the utilization of the ABTS and FRAP methods. The in vitro assessement of the denaturation of albumin activity was also conducted. In conjunction with the experimental outcomes, computational investigations were undertaken, specifically employing ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis. Furthermore, molecular docking was utilized to predict antioxidant and antiglycation mechanisms based on protein targets., Results: In vitro glycation assays, Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil displayed targeted inhibitory effects at multiple distinct stages. Within erythrocytes, in addition to mitigating hemolysis and lipid peroxidation induced by glycated albumin. GC-MS investigation revealed a richness of fatty acids and the most abundant compounds are Linoleic acid (36.59%), Palmitic acid (20.84%) and Oleic acid (19.33%) respectively. The findings of antioxidant ability showed a remarkable activity on FRAP and ABTS radicals. This oil showed a pronounced inhibitory impact (p < 0.001) on pancreatic lipase enzyme. It also exerted a notibale inhibition of albumin denaturation, in vitro., Conclusion: The identified results were supported by the abundant compounds of fatty acids unveiled through GC-MS analysis, along with the computational investigation and molecular docking., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financialinterestsor personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Opuntia ficus-indica fruit (OFI) is rich in bioactive compounds, which can promote human health. In this work, the purified OFI extract was prepared from OFI and its bioactivities were investigated. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) and α-glucosidase (α-Glu) inhibitors of the purified OFI extract were screened and identified by bio-affinity ultrafiltration combined with UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS technology. The inhibitory effect of these inhibitors on enzymes were verified, and the potential mechanism of action and binding sites of inhibitors with enzymes were revealed based on molecular docking. The results showed that the total phenolic content of the purified OFI extract was 355.03 mg GAE/g DW, which had excellent antioxidant activity. Additionally, the extract had a certain inhibitory effect on XOD (IC 50  = 199.00 ± 0.14 µg/mL) and α-Glu (IC 50  = 159.67 ± 0.01 µg/mL). Seven XOD inhibitors and eight α-Glu inhibitors were identified. Furthermore, XOD and α-Glu inhibition experiments in vitro confirmed that inhibitors such as chlorogenic acid, taxifolin, and naringenin had significant inhibitory effects on XOD and α-Glu. The molecular docking results indicated that inhibitors could bind to the corresponding enzymes and had strong binding force. These findings demonstrate that OFI contains potential substances for the treatment of hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia., (© 2024 Institute of Food Technologists.)

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as important mediators of intercellular communication able to transfer active biomolecules across the plant and animal kingdoms. EVs have demonstrated an impressive array of biological activities, displaying preventive and therapeutic potential in mitigating various pathological processes. Indeed, the simplicity of delivering exogenous and endogenous bioactive molecules to mammalian cells with their low cytotoxicity makes EVs suitable agents for new therapeutic strategies for a variety of pathologies. In this study, EVs were isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit (OFI-EVs) and characterized by particle size distribution, concentration, and bioactive molecule composition. OFI-EVs had no obvious toxicity and demonstrated a protective role in the inflammatory process and oxidative stress in vitro model of chronic skin wounds. The results demonstrated that pretreatment with OFI-EVs decreased the activity and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) in the LPS-stimulated human leukemia monocytic cell line (THP-1). Furthermore, OFI-EVs promote the migration of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), speeding up the normal wound healing processes. This study sheds light, for the first time, on the role of OFI-EVs in modulating important biological processes such as inflammation and oxidation, thereby identifying EVs as potential candidates for healing chronic cutaneous wounds.

The availability of pure individual betalains in sufficient quantities which permit deeper understanding is still a challenge. This study investigates the high-yielding semisynthesis of betaxanthins using betalamic acid from a natural source ( Opuntia dillenii ), followed by condensation with ʟ-amino acids and further purification. Moreover, the color stability of the four synthesized individual betaxanthins, namely proline (ʟ-ProBX), alanine (ʟ-AlaBX), leucine (ʟ-LeuBX), and phenylalanine (ʟ-PheBX) betaxanthins, was investigated at different pHs. Their relative contribution to free radical scavenging was also scrutinized by TEAC and DPPH. ʟ-AlaBX and ʟ-LeuBx showed a significantly ( p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, whereas ʟ-ProBX was the most resistant to the hydrolysis of betaxanthin and hence the least susceptible to color change. The color stability was strongly influenced by pH, with the color of ʟ-ProBX, ʟ-LeuBX, and ʟ-AlaBX at pH 6 being more stable, probably due to the easier hydrolysis under acid conditions. The semisynthesis and purification allowed us to have available remarkable quantities of pure individual betaxanthins of Opuntia dillenii for the first time, and to establish their color properties and antioxidant capacity. This study could be a step forward in the development of the best natural food colorant formulation, based on the betalain structure, which is of special interest in food technology.

Herein, we describe a detailed protocol to extract the mucilage from different species of the genus Opuntia spp. (i.e., Opuntia Ficus (OFi), Opuntia Dillenii (ODi) and Opuntia Robusta (ORo)). The extracted mucilage was characterized by NMR, FTIR-ATR, HPLC, and TGA. OFi was found to have the highest phenolic content, 7.84 ± 1.93 mg catechol/g mucilage. The mucilage from the three species were characterized by having a high content of monosaccharides, being mannose and glucose the most abundant components (ca. 48-73 % and 23-35 %, respectively). In the context of biomass revalorization, the mucilage was proven to serve as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNP/mucilage). The synthesis was optimized with a mucilage concentration of 2 mg/mL using 12.5 μL of KAuCl 4 and was carried out at 80 °C for 90 min. This protocol afforded spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 9.7 ± 4.0 nm that were stable for at least 14 days, as demonstrated by TEM. Synthesized AuNP/mucilage was evaluated as a plasmonic catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as model reaction, showing a considerable enhancement in its k app of 97 % under white light and a decrease of 24.8 % in its activation energy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The plants of the Opuntia genus mainly grow in arid and semi-arid climates. Although the highest variety of wild species is found in Mexico, Opuntia spp. is widely distributed throughout the world. Extracts of these cacti have been described as important sources of bioactive substances that can have beneficial properties for the prevention and treatment of certain metabolic disorders. The objective of this review is to summarise the presently available knowledge regarding Opuntia ficus-indica (nopal or prickly pear), and some other species ( O. streptacantha and O. robusta ) on obesity and several metabolic complications. Current data show that Opuntia ficus-indica products used in preclinical studies have a significant capacity to prevent, at least partially, obesity and certain derived co-morbidities. On this subject, the potential beneficial effects of Opuntia are related to a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Nevertheless, clinical studies have evidenced that the effects are highly contingent upon the experimental design. Moreover, the bioactive compound composition of nopal extracts has not been reported. As a result, there is a lack of information to elucidate the mechanisms of action responsible for the observed effects. Accordingly, further studies are needed to demonstrate whether Opuntia products can represent an effective tool to prevent and/or manage body weight and some metabolic disorders., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The consumption of unsafe water in rural areas is a real public health problem in developing countries. This situation mainly affects children under five years of age and causes several deaths and many cases of malnutrition every year. The objective of this study was to evaluate and optimize the capacity of four local plant extracts in the potabilization of unsafe water. Thus, Moringa oleifera and Boscia senegalensis seeds, or Aloe vera and Opuntia ficus-indica mucilages were prepared in a solution and applied during a jar test as biocoagulants and bioflocculants on three raw water samples of 82.3 NTU, 549.8 NTU and 796.9 NTU. After treatment results showed that 0.9 g/L of Moringa biocoagulant or 1 g/L of Boscia biocoagulant applied with 0.4 mL of Aloe vera bioflocculant or 0.6 mL of Opuntia ficus-indica bioflocculant reduced the turbidity of each water sample to values less than 5 NTU after only 15 min of decanting. Moreover, the sanitary quality of the water treated by these different extracts showed a perfect conformity of the physicochemical and microbiological parameters with the standards of acceptability in drinking water decreed by the World Health Organization. Thus, the application of these local plant extracts has made it possible to considerably improve the quality of unsafe water in record time. Their popularization could be an alternative in the fight against malnutrition related to the consumption of unsafe water, especially in rural areas.

Recently, the interest in improving livestock product nutraceutical profiles through sustainable feeding systems has increased. In this context, the overall quality and nutraceutical profiles were examined in dairy products obtained from 16 lactating Cinisara cows given an integrated feed in dry season with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes. Two homogeneous groups of cows (milk yield: 6.3 ± 1.5 kg; body weight: 213 ± 55 kg) were fed with 2 different diets (CON: pasture and wheat bran; OFI: pasture, wheat bran, and cladodes), according to a 2 × 2 Latin square design. The bulk milk produced during the study was used to make Caciotta cheese and was analyzed at 0, 15, and 30 storage days. Milk and cheese samples were analyzed for chemical, physical, and microbiological traits. The nutraceutical and sensorial profiles, as well as the antioxidant capacity, were also determined in the final products. For milk, the urea content in individual samples was reduced in OFI but not in CON. In the cheese, integration of cladodes did not influence the starter cultures development with 2 strains of Streptococcus thermophilus, but it caused a higher content of polyphenols and a consequent greater antioxidant capacity and a change in the fatty acids profile. In particular, the caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, and palmitic fatty acids were higher, as were the petroselinic, vaccenic, rumenic, and α-linolenic fatty acids. In contrast, the oleic and the γ-linolenic fatty acids were lower for OFI. The cheese from the OFI group showed better overall acceptability, and a higher yellow color, odor intensity, and butter flavor. The multivariate analysis well distinguished the cheeses belonging to the 2 groups. Further investigations should be conducted to formulate well-balanced diets that include cladodes for Cinisara lactating cows, but also to determine the content of other important bioactive compounds in fresh and treated cladodes, as well as their effects on animal welfare and production., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

In this investigation, the study focused on the chemical constitution and the antioxidative as well as anti-inflammatory characteristics of oils and pulpy variants (Imatchan (IM), Harmocha (HA), and Aknari (AK)) sourced from O. dillenii. This inquiry encompassed both in vitro and in silico analyses. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to ascertain the phenolic constituents, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methodologies. were applied to discern the volatile makeup. The appraisal of antioxidant potential was conducted via the deployment of assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and ferric ion chelating (FIC) techniques. The anti-inflammatory activity was examined using BSA and LOX. Molecular docking methods assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to HPLC findings, the most abundant compounds detected in AKO and IMO cultivars were quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside followed by vanillic acid, ferulic acid and tyrolsol. Concerning headspace GC-MS analysis E-11-hexadecenal and (E)-2-undecenal contribute to the major compounds detected in Opuntia HA, IM, and AK pulp and oil. The DPPH IC 50 for AK, HA and IM were 38.41±1.54, 42.24±0.29 and 15.17±1.28 mg/mL, respectively. The FRAP IC 50 capacity of AK, HA and IM was determined to be 30.23±0.6, 55.96±0.08 and 23.41±1.83 mg/mL, respectively. AK, HA and IM displayed significant FIC activity, with IC 50 values of 42.75±0.63, 39.54±0.59 and 35.31±1.38 mg/mL, respectively. The AK, HA and IM O. dillenii oils were effective in their anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular docking of O. dillenii oils phenolic compounds was conducted to determine the possible targeted proteins by the phenolic compounds in O. dillenii's compounds. Overall, these fruits demonstrated the potential for new ingredients for culinary or pharmaceutical applications, providing value to these natural species that can flourish in arid conditions., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

In this study, three acidic polysaccharides (OFPP-1, OFPP-2 and OFPP-3) were isolated from the pulps of Opuntia dillenii Haw. fruits, and their chain conformations, physicochemical and rheological properties were investigated. The molecular weight and conformational parameters (M w , M n , M z , R g and R h ) of OFPPs in 0.1 M NaNO 3 solution were detected by HPSEC-MALLS-RI. In addition, based on the parameters ρ and v, it was concluded that these three polysaccharide chains exhibited sphere-like conformation in 0.1 M NaNO 3 solution, which was consistent with AFM and TEM observations. Furthermore, the Congo Red experiment showed that OFPP-2 had a triple-helix structure, which may be conducive to its biological activity. This study also found that OFPPs were semi-crystalline structures with high thermal and pH stability. The rheological analyses indicated that the apparent viscosity of OFPPs solutions exhibited concentration-, temperature-, and pH-dependence, and the viscoelasticity of them was affected by molecular characteristics and concentration. The results of this study are helpful to elucidate the structure-activity relationship of OFPPs. Moreover, this study can provide theoretical reference for the application of OFPPs as bioactive ingredients or functional materials in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and the development and utilization of the O. dillenii Haw. fruits resource., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Opuntia stricta var. dillenii fruit is a source of phytochemicals, such as betalains and phenolic compounds, which may play essential roles in health promotion. The aim of this research was to study the triglyceride-lowering effect of green extracts, obtained from Opuntia stricta var. dillenii fruit (whole fruit, pulp, peel, and industrial by-products (bagasse)) in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. The cells were treated on day 12, for 24 h, after the induction of differentiation with the extracts, at doses of 10, 25, 50, or 100 μg/mL. The expression of genes (PCR-RT) and proteins (Western blot) involved in fatty acid synthesis, fatty acid uptake, triglyceride assembly, and triglyceride mobilisation was determined. The fruit pulp extraction yielded the highest levels of betalains, whereas the peel displayed the greatest concentration of phenolic compounds. The extracts from whole fruit, peel and pulp were effective in reducing triglyceride accumulation at doses of 50 μg/mL or higher. Bagasse did not show this effect. The main mechanisms of action underpinning this outcome encompass a reduction in fatty acids synthesis (de novo lipogenesis), thus limiting their availability for triglyceride formation, alongside an increase in triglyceride mobilisation. However, their reliance is contingent upon the specific Opuntia extract.

Cactus pear cladodes, clones 'Miúda' (MIU) and 'Orelha de Elefante Mexicana' (OEM) were harvested at 6 am and 8 pm during the rainy-dry, dry and rainy seasons to evaluate the effect of type of clone and harvest seasons on the physicochemical and technological properties of mucilage as well as the optical, physicochemical, mechanical, thermal and microstructural characteristics of the films obtained. The mucilage of the OEM clone presented a higher content of phenolic compounds, compared to the Nopalea genus, regardless of the season and time of harvest. Furthermore, the dry period resulted in higher carbohydrate levels, regardless of the harvest time. The biopolymeric films produced from the OEM clone harvested in the rainy season and rainy-dry transition showed darker color, better mechanical properties, water barrier, compact microstructure and thermal stability when compared to the MIU clone. Furthermore, harvesting at 6 am provided improvements in the mechanical conditions, permeability and thermal stability of the films of both types of clones studied. These results showed strong environmental modulation, naturally incorporating important macromolecules such as carbohydrates and phenolic compounds, used in the industry in the production of nutraceutical foods, into the mucilage. Furthermore, harvesting cladodes at 6 am in the rainy and transitional (rainy-dry) periods provided better quality biopolymeric films and/or coatings., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of the polysaccharide extract from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes (TPL-Ofi) using a rat cutaneous wound model. After anaesthesia, four 7-mm-diameter dorsal wounds per animal (n = 6/group for each experimental day of evaluation) were created in female Wistar rats using a surgical punch. The animals were treated topically twice daily with TPL-Ofi (0.01-1%; treated group) or sterile saline (control group) for a period of 21 days. Ulcerated tissue was collected for analysis of histological parameters (inflammation score, number of polymorphonuclear, mononuclear, fibroblast/myofibroblasts and blood vessels), immunohistochemical (fibroblast growth factor 2 [FGF-2]) and oxidative stress markers (myeloperoxidase [MPO] and glutathione [GSH]). After 21 days of treatment, body weight, net organ weight and plasma biochemical levels were measured. TPL-Ofi, containing a total carbohydrate content of 65.5% and uronic acid at 2.8%, reduced oedema on the second day and increased the nociceptive threshold on the second and third days. TPL-Ofi reduced mononuclear infiltrate on the second and MPO activity on the fifth day. TPL-Ofi increased GSH levels on the second day, as well as fibroblast/myofibroblasts counts, neoangiogenesis and FGF-2 levels on the fifth and seventh days. No changes were observed in body weight, net organ weight or toxicology assessment. Topical application of TPL-Ofi exhibited anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, ultimately improving wound healing in cutaneous wounds., (© 2023 Company of the International Journal of Experimental Pathology (CIJEP).)

Global distribution of prickly pear spans worldwide, with limited cladode exploitation, particularly in Mediterranean regions, excluding American continent nations. Our research reports on three species found in eastern Morocco, including Opuntia ficus indica and the two newly introduced species Opuntia robusta and Opuntia dillenii. The study aims to evaluate the total phenolic content, the amounts of various phenolic compounds classes, and the antioxidant activity across a spectrum of biochemical measurements including the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and total antioxidant capacity assay (TAC). The results showed that O. robusta exhibited the highest total phenolic content (5061.70 mg GAE/100 g) which enhances the significance of this species in terms of nutrition. Differences were also observed in different stage of cladodes maturity, demonstrating that the age factor affects the polyphenol contents. Moreover, O. robusta displays the highest amount of total phenolic compounds (11430.35 μg/g) either for flavonoids or phenolic acids. Furthermore, the oldest cladodes show more higher phenolic compounds (22998.62 μg/g) compared to the youngest one's (20438.54 μg/g). Ten phenolic compounds were identified, in which isorhamnetin represent the most abundant flavonoid (6747.85 μg/g), while the chlorogenic acid was determined as the major phenolic acid (2771.69 μg/g) followed by sinapic acid (2047.64 μg/g). The DPPH assay indicates that O. ficus-indica possessed the higher hydrophilic antioxidants able to reduction the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylradical free radical. While O. robusta exhibited a greater quantity of antioxidants, which effectively reduced the Fe 3+ complex of ferric ions (TPTZ) 3+ . In contrast, old cladodes of O. robusta and O. dillenii demonstrate the higher ability to scavenge the 2,20-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) or ABTS + .

This study evaluated the feasibility of using cactus mucilage (CM) to elaborate biobased composite films blended with styrene-butadiene rubber latex (SBL). The CM was extracted and precipitated with ethanol (CMET) and isopropanol (CMIS). Mucilage-based films were formulated using three levels of mucilage (4, 6, and 8 wt%). The microstructure, thickness, moisture content, density, water contact angle, water vapor permeability, film solubility, thermal stability, and toughness of mucilage films blended with SBL (SBL/CMET and SBL/CMIS) were measured. The properties of mucilage-based films varied systematically, depending on the concentration of mucilage. The addition of SBL to CM film produces compatible, hydrophobic, flexible, and stiffer films with low moisture contents and good barrier properties. The mucilage film incorporated with 6 wt% CMET and CMIS reached the highest Young's modulus of 1512 ± 21 and 1988 ± 55 MPa, respectively. The DSC of produced films reveals that the Tg of SBL/CMIS is lower than that of SBL/CMIS. The synthesized films were structurally stable at high temperatures. The biodegradability of the composite films buried in the ground shows that the produced films are 100 % biodegradable after 40 days. Thus, CM blended with SBL can benefit specific applications, especially food packaging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the methanolic extract of Opuntia ficus indica L. in small animal (rats and mice model). The current treatment for febrile conditions often involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can have adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal ulcers. Therefore, there is a growing need to explore natural alternatives with fewer side effects. The study utilized various experimental models to assess the effects of the extract. The results demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of the extract, as evidenced by a reduction in pain induced by acetic acid and hot plate tests. Additionally, the extract exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, as indicated by a decrease in carrageenan-induced paw edema and dextran-induced inflammation. To gain insights into the chemical composition of the extract, HPLC analysis was conducted. The analysis successfully identified and quantified 20 compounds, including luteolin, galangin, catechin, thymol, methylated quercetin, quercetin, rutin, acacetin, hesperidin, apigenin, kaempferol, pinocembrin, chrysin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid.The findings suggest that Opuntia ficus indica L. extract holds promise as an effective and reasonably priced natural remedy for pain and inflammation in rats and mice model. The comprehensive chemical composition analysis provided valuable insights into the presence of various bioactive compounds, which may contribute to the observed therapeutic effects. Further research and exploration of the extract's mechanisms of action are warranted to fully understand its potential in small animal healthcare.

Background: This study focused on the valorization of prickly pear (PP) fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica) into vinegar by spontaneous surface fermentation on different starting matrices (with/without the addition of sucrose and with/without PP peel in the raw material). Different parameters were monitored during the fermentation process in terms of their physicochemical and biological properties., Results: Physicochemical and phytochemical analysis revealed significant differences depending on the starting matrix. An increase in total phenolic content (TPC) was observed for the majority of samples when transformed from PP juice into PP vinegar revealing the role of fermentation in enhancing the bioactive compounds content. Better antioxidant and antibacterial activity were detected for vinegar samples compared with the initial starting matrix. Using whole PP fruit resulted in better TPC and antioxidant activity; in contrast, sugar addition had no significant effect on any studied data. Analysis of variance, taking into account the four factors that were studied (matrix, variety, with/without peel, and with/without sugar), demonstrated that only the factor 'presence or absence of the peel' had a significant influence on the TPC values., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both whole PP fruit and PP juice could be used as new raw materials for vinegar production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Opuntia speciesis used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus (DM). Polysaccharide is one of the main components of Opuntia. Opuntia polysaccharide (OPS) is a kind of natural active macromolecular substance, numerous animal experiments have been conducted to treat DM, however, its protective effect and mechanism in animal models of DM has not been clarified., Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OPS on DM through a stematic review and meta-analysis of animal models, and whether its improves blood glucose (BG) levels, body weight (BW), food intake, water intake, and lipid levels, and to summarize the potential mechanism of OPS in the treatment of DM., Materials and Methods: We searched relevant Chinese and English databases from the date of construction to March 2022, including PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Database (VIP), Wanfang Database. 16 studies were included for meta-analysis., Results: The results showed that compared with the model group, the OPS significantly improved BG, BW, food intake, water intake, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Meta-regression and subgroup analysis showed that intervention dose, animal species, duration and modeling method may be the source of the heterogeneity. There was no statistical difference between the positive control group and the OPS treatment group in improving BW, food intake, water intake, TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C., Conclusions: OPS can effectively improve the symptoms of hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyphagia, low body weight, and dyslipidemia in DM animals. The possible protective mechanisms of OPS on DM animals are immune regulation, repair of damaged pancreatic β cells, and inhibition of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rapid ripening and softening due to cell wall polysaccharide degradation and disassembly pose major challenges in extending fruit storability. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Opuntia ficus indica mucilage (OFIM) edible coating in minimizing softening in bananas under retail conditions. Mucilage was extracted from freshly harvested prickly pear cladodes and dried into a powder. Phenolic compounds in OFIM powder were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). OFIM concentrations (1, 2 and 3 % (w/v)) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties were examined. The prepared coatings were applied to harvested banana fruit by dipping and stored at room temperature for 12 days. During the experiment, several parameters were measured, including fruit weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), peel color, pulp firmness, ethylene production, respiration rate, ion leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, total chlorophyll and carotenoids, chlorophyll-degrading enzymes, protopectin content and water-soluble pectin (WSP) and softening-related enzymes in the peel. Results showed that mucilage treatments effectively delayed cell wall and chlorophyll degradation, as well as carotenoid accumulation, thus inhibiting ripening-associated processes compared to control fruit. OFIM-treated fruit exhibited significantly higher firmness, chlorophyll content, and TA, lower TSS content, ethylene production, respiration rate, MDA concentration, ion leakage and protopectin content than uncoated fruit. This suggests that OFIM edible coating has the potential to maintain quality and extend the shelf life of bananas by suppressing softening enzymes during storage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cactus is a tropical fruit with a high nutritional value; however, little information is available regarding the comprehensive utilization of its byproducts. This study aimed to explore the composition and nutritional value of cactus fruit seed oil (CFO) and reveal the effects of ultrasound-assisted extraction and traditional solvent extraction on oil quality. Foodomics analysis showed that CFO extracted using a traditional solvent is rich in linolenic acid (9c12cC18:2, 57.46 ± 0.84 %), α-tocopherol (20.01 ± 1.86 mg/100 g oil), and canolol (200.10 ± 1.21 μg/g). Compared to traditional solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction can significantly increase the content of lipid concomitants in CFO, whereas excessive ultrasound intensity may lead to the oxidation of oils and the formation of free radicals. Analysis of the thermal properties showed that ultrasound had no effect on the crystallization or melting behavior of CFO. To further demonstrate the nutritional value of CFO, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lipid metabolism imbalance model was used. Lipidomics analysis showed that CFO significantly reduced the content of oxidized phospholipids stimulated by LPS and increased the content of highly bioactive metabolites such as ceramides, thus alleviating LPS-induced damage in C. elegans. Hence, CFO is a functional oil with high value, and ultrasound-assisted extraction is advocated. These findings provide new insights into the comprehensive utilization of cactus fruits., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

With the steady increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods, there is growing interest in sustainable diets that include more plant protein. However, little information is available regarding the structural and functional properties of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) seed protein (CSP), a by-product of the cactus seed food-processing chain. This study aimed to explore the composition and nutritional value of CSP and reveal the effects of ultrasound treatment on protein quality. Protein chemical structure analysis showed that an appropriate intensity of ultrasound treatment (450 W) could significantly increase protein solubility (96.46 ± 2.07%) and surface hydrophobicity (13.76 ± 0.85 μg), decrease the content of T-SH (50.25 ± 0.79 μmol/g) and free-SH (8.60 ± 0.30 μmol/g), and enhance emulsification characteristics. Circular dichroism analysis further confirmed that the ultrasonic treatment increased the α-helix and random coil content. Amino acid analysis also suggested that ultrasound treatment (450 W) increased the hydrophobic amino acid content. To evaluate the impact of changes in the chemical structure, its digestion behavior was studied. The results showed that ultrasound treatment increased the release rate of free amino acids. Furthermore, nutritional analysis showed that the digestive products of CSP by ultrasound treatment can significantly enhance the intestinal permeability, increase the expression of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1, thus repairing LPS induced intestinal barrier disfunction. Hence, CSP is a functional protein with high value, and ultrasound treatment is recommended. These findings provide new insights into the comprehensive utilization of cactus fruits., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Opuntia dillenii ( O. dillenii ) is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family that is abundant in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. O. dillenii is consumed as a local delicacy and has no other current use. To understand the nutritional value of O. dillenii in human health and its application in the food, cosmetic, and drug industries, this review summarizes information on the chemical compounds (pure α-pyrone compounds, flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, minerals, fatty acids, and betalains) and biological properties (anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-spermatogenic, anticancer, antilarval, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant) of extracts from each part of the plant (fruit juice, fruit peel, cladode, and seeds) (aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic), and seed oil. In addition, data related to the recent applications of O. dillenii in various industries (e.g., edible coatings, food supplements, cosmetics, nanoparticles, and wastewater treatment) are provided.

In this research work, an optimization of an environment friendly extraction method of cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) cladode dietary fibers was conducted. For this purpose, a central composite experimental design with two factors (temperature and time) and five levels was established. The basic objective of this optimization was to maximize fiber yield using hot water as an extraction eco-solvent. The optimum extraction time (330 min) and temperature (100 °C) were determined with a constant medium agitation rate. Additionally, this study also aimed at establishing the validation of the statistical model to carry out the extrapolation of the extraction process at the pilot scale. The fibers extracted at the pilot scale showed yields (45.2 ± 0.01%) in agreement with those obtained through the optimization and validation lab-scale steps (44.97 ± 0.02). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted to investigate the structure and microstructure of pilot scale-produced fibers. FTIR spectrum and XRD pattern were typical to lignocellulosic fibers results. Sharp and thin peaks characteristic of cellulose were detected. Pure and crystallized phases were recorded with a 45% crystallinity index. SEM analysis presented elongated and organized cells with a uniform structure comparable to cellulosic fibers microstructure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Opuntia monacantha is a Cactaceae found in regions with few nutrients and water. This study aimed to identify bioactive compounds in the fruit of O. monacantha in the southern region of Brazil. In the fruit of O. monacantha, five phenolic compounds were identified: protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, p -coumaric acid, catechin and quercetin. The ferulic acid and catechin were found in higher concentration in the fruit. The terpenes α-amyrin, β-amyrin, oleanolic acid and cycloartenol were also identified in the hexane fractions of the fruit. Unsaturated fatty acids were found in the fruit seed, with the highest concentration of linoleic acid (69.0%).

In the last years, the use of natural phytochemical compounds as protective agents in the prevention and treatment of obesity and the related-metabolic syndrome has gained much attention worldwide. Different studies have shown health benefits for many vegetables such Opuntia ficus-indica and Beta vulgaris and their pigments collectively referred as betalains. Betalains exert antioxidative, anti-inflammation, lipid lowering, antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects. This review summarizes findings in the literature and highlights the therapeutic potential of betalains and their natural source as valid alternative for supplementation in obesity-related disorders treatment. Further research is needed to establish the mechanisms through which these natural pigments exert their beneficial effects and to translate the promising findings from animal models to humans.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (OFI), belonging to the family Cactaceae, is widely cultivated not only for its delicious fruits but also for its health-promoting effects, which enhance the role of OFI as a potential functional food. In this study, the in vitro collagenase and elastase enzyme inhibitory effects of extracts from different parts of OFI were evaluated. The most promising extracts were formulated as creams at two concentrations (3 and 5%) to investigate their effects on a D-galactose (D-gal)-induced skin-aging mouse model. The ethanolic extracts of the peel and cladodes exhibited the highest enzyme inhibitory effects. Cream made from the extract of OFI peel (OP) (5%) and cream from OFI cladodes extract (OC) (5%) significantly decreased the macroscopic aging of skin scores. Only a higher concentration (5%) of OC showed the normalization of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) skin levels and achieved significant improvements as compared to the vitamin E group. Both OC and OP (5%) showed complete restoration of the normal skin structure and nearly normal collagen fibres upon histopathological examination. The Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) metabolite profiles revealed the presence of organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, betalains, and fatty acids. Flavonoids were the predominant phytochemical class (23 and 22 compounds), followed by phenolic acids (14 and 17 compounds) in the ethanolic extracts from the peel and cladodes, respectively. The anti-skin-aging effects could be attributed to the synergism of different phytochemicals in both extracts. From these findings, the OFI peel and cladodes as agro-waste products are good candidates for anti-skin-aging phytocosmetics.

Desiccation tolerance in developing seeds occurs through several mechanisms among which, a common group of proteins named dehydrins has received considerable attention. So far, there is no information dealing with the accumulation of dehydrins in seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica. We have initiated here an extraction protocol based on two critical steps: heat and acid treatments, and the purity of this fraction was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. Western blot analysis of the heat-stable protein fraction (HSF) revealed two main bands of approximately 45 and 44 kDa, while three others of ∼40, 32, and 31 kDa were faintly visible, which were recognized by anti-dehydrin antibodies. This fraction exhibited a Cu 2+ -dependent resistance to protease treatments. Next, we performed a series of assays to compare the functional properties of the HSF with those of the previously characterized wheat dehydrin (DHN-5). Antibacterial assays revealed that HSF exhibits only moderate antibacterial activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with a minimum inhibition concentration ranging from 0.25 to 1 mg/ml. However, in vitro assays revealed that compared to DHN-5, HSF exhibits higher protective activities of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) when exposed to heat, freezing, and dehydration stresses. The protective role of HSF seems to be linked to its best ability to minimize protein aggregation., (© 2022 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

The sustainable development of the drylands, i.e., regions with limited availability of water, depends on the exploitation of the few biomass types that can thrive in such conditions, such as the Opuntia ficus-indica, a plant of the Cactaceae family. In the present study, the cladodes of O. ficus-indica were used as a substrate by the fungus Trichoderma reesei CCT-2768 for the production of cellulolytic enzymes through solid-state fermentation. Firstly, the extraction of the mucilage, soluble components of industrial interest, was evaluated. Temperature, water-to-biomass ratio, and time of mixture were varied using an experimental design and impacted, especially, the pectin removal. Then, the lignocellulosic residue was used for the production of enzymes; the effect of the water activity, biomass pretreatment, mineral supplementation, temperature, and inoculum size on the enzymatic production were investigated using two sets of experimental designs. The steam explosion pretreatment exposed the fiber to the microbial action and boosted the enzyme production, provided that the medium was supplemented with salts. This combination has improved the production of xylanase, CMCase, FPase, and polygalacturonase by 27, 62, 98, and 185%, respectively. The temperature of 35 °C was determined as the optimal for the production of FPase, xylanase, and polygalacturonase, while no effect was observed on the production of CMCase and β-glucosidase. The optimization of the enzymatic production performed in this study can potentially provide a new application for the Opuntia biomass and improve the sustainable development of the drylands., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Opuntia joconostle is a semi-wild cactus cultivated for its fruit. However, the cladodes are often discarded, wasting the potentially useful mucilage in them. The mucilage is composed primarily of heteropolysaccharides, characterized by their molar mass distribution, monosaccharide composition, structural features (by vibrational spectroscopy, FT IR, and atomic force microscopy, AFM), and fermentability by known saccharolytic commensal members of the gut microbiota. After fractionation with ion exchange chromatography, four polysaccharides were found: one neutral (composed mainly of galactose, arabinose, and xylose) and three acidic, with a galacturonic acid content from 10 to 35% mol . Their average molar masses ranged from 1.8 × 10 5 to 2.8 × 10 5 g·mol -1 . Distinct structural features such as galactan, arabinan, xylan, and galacturonan motifs were present in the FT IR spectra. The intra- and intermolecular interactions of the polysaccharides, and their effect on the aggregation behavior, were shown by AFM. The composition and structural features of these polysaccharides were reflected in their prebiotic potential. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria were not able to utilize them, whereas members of Bacteroidetes showed utilization capacity. The obtained data suggest a high economic potential for this Opuntia species, with potential uses such as animal feed in arid areas, precise prebiotic, and symbiotic formulations, or as the carbon skeleton source in a green refinery. Our methodology can be used to evaluate the saccharides as the phenotype of interest, helping to guide the breeding strategy.

Cactus mucilage (CMU) have been widely studied in various applications. This review addresses the sources, extraction methods, composition, biological properties and CMU applications with the help of bibliometric analysis to select scientific articles available in the Web of Science database and evaluated by VOSviewer (2001-2021). CMU are generally characterized as an arabinogalactan-type polysaccharide, a source of carbohydrates and proteins, minerals, fatty acids, essential amino acids and phenolic compounds. Such attributes contribute to its functionality as emulsifying, stabilizing, foaming and gelling agents. Therefore, it has been used in dairy, bakery, emulsified and powdered products, in addition, as microencapsulating substances, producing edible coatings and forming ecological films. Its main beneficial features consist of antioxidant, antimicrobial, prebiotic, healing, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic and slimming effects. Thus, this review provides the CMU main evidences in the literature, which reveal their scientific importance, what can boost new research for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)