Articles
The role of metabolomics in optimising plant functionality of South African cactus pear cultivars
Article number
1452_52
Pages
405 – 412
Language
English
Abstract
The cactus pear plant has been cultivated for its fruits, flowers, seeds, and stems for both human and animal use in South Africa since as early as 1910. The Opuntia species of this plant has solidified its relevance and importance due to its high nutritional value and ecological adaptability.
In addition to its primary use for consumption, the plant has gained prominence in the food industry for its functional properties, particularly from the slimy substance produced by the cladodes, known as mucilage.
This substance offers gelling, thickening, emulsifying, and antifoaming properties, among other qualities.
These characteristics can be attributed to the plant’s proteins contained in the metabolome, which play a pivotal role in key bioactive pathways.
Given the vast properties and potential applications of mucilage, there is a need to explore and identify critical metabolic pathways.
Metabolomics, a novel approach that adds a new dimension to understanding a plant’s key metabolic pathways, involves systematically identifying and quantifying metabolites involved in various biological interactions, responses, and functions.
To our knowledge, this approach has not been extensively studied, particularly regarding mucilage from South African cactus pear cultivars.
This review aims to investigate how metabolomics can serve as an analytical tool to optimise the cactus pear plant’s functionality, thereby providing cues to identify key protein pathways found in mucilage to maximise their functionality in food products.
Literature on the application of metabolomics is examined in the context of food functionality, phenotypical variation, and the incorporation of other branches of “omics” to enhance data collection and processing.
Furthermore, the limitations of its application are discussed, bringing novel insights into its use in the food sector to the forefront.
In addition to its primary use for consumption, the plant has gained prominence in the food industry for its functional properties, particularly from the slimy substance produced by the cladodes, known as mucilage.
This substance offers gelling, thickening, emulsifying, and antifoaming properties, among other qualities.
These characteristics can be attributed to the plant’s proteins contained in the metabolome, which play a pivotal role in key bioactive pathways.
Given the vast properties and potential applications of mucilage, there is a need to explore and identify critical metabolic pathways.
Metabolomics, a novel approach that adds a new dimension to understanding a plant’s key metabolic pathways, involves systematically identifying and quantifying metabolites involved in various biological interactions, responses, and functions.
To our knowledge, this approach has not been extensively studied, particularly regarding mucilage from South African cactus pear cultivars.
This review aims to investigate how metabolomics can serve as an analytical tool to optimise the cactus pear plant’s functionality, thereby providing cues to identify key protein pathways found in mucilage to maximise their functionality in food products.
Literature on the application of metabolomics is examined in the context of food functionality, phenotypical variation, and the incorporation of other branches of “omics” to enhance data collection and processing.
Furthermore, the limitations of its application are discussed, bringing novel insights into its use in the food sector to the forefront.
Authors
B.L. Makhalemele, M. de Wit, A. Van Biljon
Keywords
cultivars, functionality, metabolomics, mucilage, pathways
Groups involved
Online Articles (65)