Bioactive Compounds and In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticoccidial Activities of Opuntia ficus-indica Flower Extracts

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to identify the biochemical compounds extracted from OFI flowers using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activities and anticoccidial effects on the destruction of Eimeria oocysts isolated from naturally infected chickens. A domestic microwave was used with a refrigerant to condense the vapors generated during the extraction. The flavonoid and phenolic compound contents of the OFI flowers were determined according to standard methods. DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging capacities were used to assess the antioxidant activity. Regarding the anticoccidial activity, the Eimeria spp. oocysts used were isolated from the fresh feces of infected broilers and were determined in triplicate by incubation at an ambient temperature for 24 h. The results highlighted the considerable influence of the optimized acetone concentration, ratio, irradiation time, and microwave power parameters on the phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Our results revealed significant matches between the predicted and experimental values of the models. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of several biophenol classes such as quercetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. OFI flower extracts inhibited sporulation and damaged the morphology of Eimeria oocysts compared with normal sporulated Eimeria oocysts containing sporocysts. In conclusion, the optimized conditions were validated and found to fit very well with the experimental values. These findings suggest that the flowers of OFI should be considered sources of antioxidants. The results of the present study revealed that OFI flower extracts have anticoccidial activities against Eimeria-spp.-induced infection in broiler chickens.

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Peel By-Product as a Natural Antioxidant Food Additive and Natural Anticoccidial Drug

“…Despite the interesting results of the present study, they remain inferior to those found in our previous study [27], where extracts of OFI flowers destroyed Eimeria oocysts after 7 h by 44.89%. This is probably linked to the phenolic compounds, as OFI flowers are rich in phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids.…”

“…Isolation of Eimeria species from naturally infected chickens, as well as purification and identification, were based on methods described by Carvalho et al [32]. The proportions of Eimeria species investigated (Eimeria tenella 75%, Eimeria acervulina 10%, Eimeria mitis 4%, Eimeria preacox 4%, Eimeria maxima 4%, and Eimeria brunetti 3%) as anticoccidial treatment are indicated in the work by Amrane-Abider, Imre, Herman, Debbou-Iouknane, Zemouri-Alioui, Khaled, Bouiche, Nerín, Acaroz, and Ayad [27] on the OFI flower. Briefly, the parasite sporulation was carried out in a potassium dichromate solution (2.5% K 2 Cr 2 O 7 ) under high humidity over 70%, and a temperature of 29 •C.…”

“…Isorhamnetin has a number of pharmacological properties, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, anti-inflammation, prevention of obesity, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral [46]. The other compounds had already been identified in OFI fruit pulp and flowers [11,27,[47][48][49][50]. The variability of phenolic compounds reported by various authors could be due to different extraction and analysis methods.…”

“…The current situation of avian coccidiosis is alarming because the irrational use of various anticoccidial drugs is becoming ineffective against avian coccidiosis due to the increasing resistance of Eimeria species. That is why researchers are scrambling to find the best herbal remedy [27,59]. The present study is part of that context.…”

“…Many studies are concentrating on the use of natural extracts to treat Eimeria, which is its primary cause [24][25][26]. Moreover, the ability of OFI flowers to destroy Emeria oocysts has been demonstrated by Amrane-Abider et al's [27] research. Therefore, in order to valorize OFI peel by-products and evaluate their antioxidant and anticoccidial potentials, the following strategy was adopted: I.…”