Articles
Desert treasure: revealing secrets and health benefits of cacti and prickly pear
Article number
1452_46
Pages
351 – 360
Language
English
Abstract
Cactus is widely distributed across America and has a significant presence in other continents, such as Asia, Africa, and Europe.
This wide geographical distribution is mainly due to its ability to adapt to extreme climatic conditions, leading to significant changes in its metabolome.
In the Americas, people have consumed nopal since pre-Hispanic times, and this consumption has been associated with significant health benefits.
However, in other parts of the world, its consumption is unusual; it has been described as a rich source of macromolecules and phytochemicals with beneficial health properties, promoting its use as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-steatotic agent, among many other uses.
The mechanisms reported for these effects differ and depend mainly on the compound profiles.
In addition, aligned with global trends, much research has recently focused on using Opuntia by-products or residues to transform them into valuable ingredients for the food and/or cosmetic industries.
This paper reviews multiple experimental findings on the use of Opuntia sp. for different health conditions.
In addition, based on these findings, future perspectives for developing functional ingredients or products will be discussed, valuing this crop as a rich source of high-value molecules.
This wide geographical distribution is mainly due to its ability to adapt to extreme climatic conditions, leading to significant changes in its metabolome.
In the Americas, people have consumed nopal since pre-Hispanic times, and this consumption has been associated with significant health benefits.
However, in other parts of the world, its consumption is unusual; it has been described as a rich source of macromolecules and phytochemicals with beneficial health properties, promoting its use as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-steatotic agent, among many other uses.
The mechanisms reported for these effects differ and depend mainly on the compound profiles.
In addition, aligned with global trends, much research has recently focused on using Opuntia by-products or residues to transform them into valuable ingredients for the food and/or cosmetic industries.
This paper reviews multiple experimental findings on the use of Opuntia sp. for different health conditions.
In addition, based on these findings, future perspectives for developing functional ingredients or products will be discussed, valuing this crop as a rich source of high-value molecules.
Authors
M. Antunes-Ricardo
Keywords
Opuntia, inflammation, hepatic steatosis, hypocholesterolemia, by-products
Groups involved
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