Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: A Multi-Benefit Potential to Be Exploited

Abstract

Consumer interest in foods with enhanced nutritional quality has increased in recent years. The nutritional and bioactive characterization of fruits and their byproducts, as well as their use in the formulation of new food products, is advisable, contributing to decrease the global concerns related to food waste and food security. Moreover, the compounds present in these raw materials and the study of their biological properties can promote health and help to prevent some chronic diseases. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (prickly pear) is a plant that grows wild in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, being a food source for ones and a potential for others, but not properly valued. This paper carries out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of prickly pear and its constituents, as well as its main biological activities and applications. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Many of its natural compounds have interesting biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial. The antioxidant power of prickly pear makes it a good candidate as an ingredient of new food products with fascinating properties for health promotion and/or to be used as natural extracts for food, pharmaceutic or cosmetic applications. In addition, it could be a key player in food security in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world, where there are often no more plants.

A Systematic Review on Opuntia (Cactaceae; Opuntioideae) Flower-Visiting Insects in the World with Emphasis on Mexico: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation

“…For this reason, it is not surprising that O. ficus-indica constitutes part of the core species in the global network. O. ficus-indica was first introduced to Europe via Spain during the fifteenth century, and it has been cultivated in many parts of the world for various purposes, including carminic acid extraction from Dactylopius coccus Costa, 1835 [ 18 , 81 ]. In this regard, Padrón et al [ 20 ] found that O. maxima is an invader species that behaves as a core species in native communities, where it becomes naturalized.…”

“…However, some Opuntia species were introduced to other continents after the Spanish conquest [ 12 , 13 , 14 ] due to their traditional uses as medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, dyes, food ingredients, and forage, among others [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.) Cladodes as a Functional Ingredient for Hyperglycemia Management: A Brief Narrative Review

“…Although these cladodes have been used as a traditional treatment for T2DM in Mexico [22], the use of Opuntia spp. as a basis of functional food products for the management of a range of health conditions has been proposed only relatively recently [23][24][25].…”

Phytochemistry and biological activities of Opuntia seed oils: Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. A review

“…However, little interest has been given to the use of the fruit seeds because the body is unable to digest them and therefore to benefit from their constitutions. Several scientific studies have been interested in studying the different vegetative parts (pulp, seed, peel, and cladode) of these two species to assess or confirm their beneficial biological effects on various diseases [7,8]. Over the last few years, researchers have been interested in studying the seed oils of these two Opuntia species and have found that they are rich in very active molecules [9,10].…”