A REVIEW: OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA AS A SOURCE OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUND INGREDIENTS FOR FUNCTIONAL FOODS, NUTRITION, HUMAN DISEASE AND HEALTH

Fatma A. Ahmed; Marwa A. Ibrahim; Mayada M. El-Azab; Waleed G. E. Fahmy; Dina M. Fahmy

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v9i1.1061

Fatma A. Ahmed Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo 11753, Egypt. Regional Development Centers (RDC), Academy of Scientific Research Technology (ASRT), Cairo 11694, Egypt.
Marwa A. Ibrahim Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo 11753, Egypt.
Mayada M. El-Azab Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo 11753, Egypt.
Waleed G. E. Fahmy Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo 11753, Egypt.
Dina M. Fahmy Natural Products Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo11753, Egypt.

10.22270/ujpr.v9i1.1061

Keywords:

Biological and functional activities, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., pharmaceutical fields, phytochemicals, prickly pear

Abstract

Originally from Mexico, today, prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) can be found worldwide, but they are most common in Africa., Australia, and the countries of the Mediterranean. The Cactaceae family, which has more than 1500 species of cactus, includes prickly pears. Additionally, consumers are becoming more and more interested in it because it contains bioactive substances like carotenoids, sterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, and vitamins that are linked to important biological and functional activities such as effects on antioxidants, inflammation, and hypoglycemia as it prospers in dry and semiarid areas, this plant is very effective in preventing desertification and can be exploited in fields and gardens as a fence. Although it is frequently used today to make culinary products like jams and juices, it is also eaten as a fruit. If one wishes to create novel products with health-promoting properties for food, cosmetics, or pharmaceutical fields, as a feasible wellspring of phytochemicals for practical food sources, natural additions, or nutritional supplements, prickly pears are affordable.