Cladodes: Chemical and structural properties, biological activity, and polyphenols profile

Abstract

The nopal cactus is an essential part of the Mexican diet and culture. The per capita consumption of young cladodes averages annually to 6.4 kg across the nation. In addition to contributing to the country's food culture, the nopal is considered a food with functional characteristics since, in addition to providing fiber, an important group of polyphenolic compounds is present, which has given cladodes to be considered a healthy food, for what they have been incorporated into the diet of Mexican people and many other countries worldwide. Research suggests that polyphenols from cladodes act as antioxidants and antidiabetics. This review studies the main phenolic components in cladodes and summarizes both conventional and novel methods to identify them.

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

“…The main components in cladodes are carbohydrates (38% dry weight (d.w.)), proteins (11% d.w.) and water (83%; 5:1 biomass to water ratio) [37,38]. The nutritional composition may differ among Opuntia spp., dependent on the specimen's age and environmental factors, such as the cultivation season and geographical position [38]. The primary polysaccharide in cladode is mucilage, an ingredient commonly used in the food industry as an additive and an emulsifier [38].…”

“…The nutritional composition may differ among Opuntia spp., dependent on the specimen's age and environmental factors, such as the cultivation season and geographical position [38]. The primary polysaccharide in cladode is mucilage, an ingredient commonly used in the food industry as an additive and an emulsifier [38]. Furthermore, an analysis of cladode extract indicated the presence of several phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phenolic acids [36], all of which have been implicated in certain beneficial health outcomes particularly related to the management of CVD [39][40][41][42].…”

Antioxidant Activity and Seasonal Variations in the Composition of Insoluble Fiber from the Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller: Development of New Extraction Procedures to Improve Fiber Yield

“…In place of the leaves, some very thin spines of a few millimeters that are yellow-brown color and very irritating appear and are called glochids. Glochids are a valid defense against many animals that would damage the plant [ 6 ]. A peculiarity of this genus is the stomata, which, contrary to what happens in most plants, remains close during the day; this significantly reduces water loss due to transpiration [ 7 ].…”

Beneficial Effects of Opuntia spp. on Liver Health

“…These effects are due, at least in part, to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 13 ], which are attributed to their rich content of bioactive compounds, phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), phytosterols, betalains and some carbohydrates [ 7 , 8 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The profile of bioactive compounds varies according to the species and the part of the plant [ 16 ].…”