Background:The Prickly pear "Opuntia ficus-indica" is a xerophytic plant of the Cactaceae family, which represents a gold mine, can be exploited in several sectors.Objective:The present study describes and provides basic information on the physico-chemical properties, mineral and lipid compositions of the cactus seeds from Algeria (Relizane), in order to evaluate the nutritional value of the Opuntia extracts.Methods:The seed oil was extracted by soxhlet, and analyzed by GC-MS the physical properties were determined using standard methods of Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC).Results:The cactus powder and its seeds showed a content of 6.42% in lipids and 91.24% in ashes. Freshly extracted oil showed acid and peroxide values respectively 2.66 mg (KOH)g and 1.5Meq (O2)/Kg. Iodine and saponification values were 199.5 g (I2)/100 g and 181.44 mg (KOH)/g respectively. Main fatty acids identified by GC-MS were linoleic (C18:2), oleic (C18:1), palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1) and stearic (C18:0) acids with respective contents 60.23%, 13.35%, 14.20%, 1.05 and 3.12%. Mineral analysis revealed significant levels of calcium and potassium namely 72 and 3.50mg/100g respectively, and they contain no trace of the toxic compounds (lead and cadmium).Conclusion:The nopal fruit represents a very important nutritional value. This plant is far from being a simple cactus, it is a source of immense wealth.
Background:
"Opuntia ficus-indica" (prickly pear) is the cactus member of the Cactaceae
family as an important nutrient and food source.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to characterize the phytochemical composition of hydroalcoholic
extract of prickly pear seeds that cause therapeutic effects.
Method:
Phytochemical screening based on simple tests and determination of secondary metabolites
were performed by High-Performance Liquid with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. For
the pharmacological studies, the anti-inflammatory activity in rats was evaluated by carrageenaninduced
inflammation, the description of the sedative activity was carried to the following behavioural
tests, and the analgesic effect of the extract was assessed by the resistance induced by acetic acid,
and the tail immersion test in mice.
Results:
The test drug at 500 mg/kg dose showed a significant increase in mean latency in the TAIL
FLICK test, and a decrease in the average number of twisting movements in the KOSTER test, thus, a
significant anti-inflammatory activity in the pattern of paw edema induced by carrageenan, and an important
sedative effect on the central nervous system.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that the seeds of the cactus "Opuntia ficus-indica" could be a potential
source of natural compound and reveal that the hydroethanolic extract of this species is a promising
source, as well as a therapeutic agent for the research of new natural active ingredients.
We formulate for the first time new [Alizarin-poly(4-vinylpyridine)-mica] inorganic@organic pH dependent pigmentary materials. The present formulation is carried out via two steps: (i) the preparation by adsorption of poly(4-vinylpyridine) [P4VP] on mica particles, of two hybrid composite materials [P4VP@Mica], with respectively ratios R ¼ 0.2 and R ¼ 0.5; (ii) the formulation of new pigmentary materials by fixation of Alizarin dyes on [P4VP@Mica] composite materials. The composite materials [P4VP@Mica] were characterized using, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transformed infrared (IRTF), Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and UV-visible. The adsorbed polymers on the inorganic surface have a potential interest for the modification of the interfacial properties of the MICA. These new pigmentary materials can either differ by their colors, or to present interferential effects.
Introduction Antioxidants are in the form of food supplements or in the diet, they are essential to prevent many diseases. They are substances that act against oxidation, a process that leads to the formation of free radicals in the body. These free radicals are harmful and can, for example, contribute to the development of different types of cancers. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are 2 food additives that protect fatty foods from oxidation. 1 They are also found in cosmetics for the same reason. Studies have shown that both these synthetic antioxidants affect the nervous system and increase the risk of allergies and certain cancers. 2 Many studies are increasingly interested in the therapeutic effects of naturally occurring antioxidants which are supposed to protect living organisms from oxidative damages. 3 The use of essential oils is expanding in several sectors and in many industrial fields. Several essential oils have been attributed to good antioxidant properties, which can be exploited to protect other materials, such as food, from rancidity or to prevent the oxidative stress that contributes to the appearance of degenerative diseases. 4 Essential oils and their components are known to possess antioxidant activities. 4 The essential oil of basil, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, oregano, and thyme possesses antioxidant properties due to their major terpenes such as thymol and carvacrol. 5 In addition, the essential oil of Melissa officinalis, whose main components were terpenoids such as neral, geranial, citronellal, isomenthone, and menthone showed free radical scavenging activity. 6 Solenostemma oleifolium belongs to the family of Asclepiadaceae and grows in the desert areas of Mali, Libya and Egypt. It is also widely distributed in Algerian Sahara. This species grows in dry condition areas and is widespread at the foot of the cliffs and in rocky areas. It is frequently used in traditional medicine against rheumatism, stomach pain,
The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate several dye/amine systems as photoinitiators for photopolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) monomer under visible light conditions. For this purpose, a series of dye/amine photoinitiators were formed using methylene blue (MB) or acridine orange (AO) as photosensitizers, and triethanolamine (TEOA), ethyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate (EDMAB), trioctylamine (TOA), and N,N-diméthylallylamine (DMAA) as co-initiators. The photopolymerization kinetic of the HEA monomer in the presence of proposed dye/amine systems was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and the synergetic effect of the dye/amine photoinitiators systems on the photopolymerization efficiency was examined. Interestingly, (MB/EDMAB) system shows the better reactivity with a total conversion of HEA monomer.
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