Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill, a plant native to Mexico, belongs to the family Cactaceae. This plant grows in semi-arid and arid climates and is of great economic interest. Most of the approximately 1500 species of the Opuntia genus contain beneficial components to health. The chemical composition and biological activities of different parts of the prickly pear, including cladodes, flowers, fruits, seeds, and seed oil, have been studied. Seed oil is known for its health benefits and also for its richness in bioactive molecules, which vary according to their extraction methods and also by the environment and the climatic conditions. The seed oils are characterized by its richness in linolic acids, phenolic acids, and γ-tocopherol and also by its remarkable antioxidant activity. This richness in active biomolecules could allow Opuntia spp. seeds to find new applications in the cosmetic, medicinal, and food industries. This chapter is an effort to cover the phytochemicals of Opuntia seed oil processing by-products.
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