Abstract
Consumer interest in foods with enhanced nutritional quality has increased in recent years. The nutritional and bioactive characterization of fruits and their byproducts, as well as their use in the formulation of new food products, is advisable, contributing to decrease the global concerns related to food waste and food security. Moreover, the compounds present in these raw materials and the study of their biological properties can promote health and help to prevent some chronic diseases. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (prickly pear) is a plant that grows wild in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, being a food source for ones and a potential for others, but not properly valued. This paper carries out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of prickly pear and its constituents, as well as its main biological activities and applications. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Many of its natural compounds have interesting biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial. The antioxidant power of prickly pear makes it a good candidate as an ingredient of new food products with fascinating properties for health promotion and/or to be used as natural extracts for food, pharmaceutic or cosmetic applications. In addition, it could be a key player in food security in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world, where there are often no more plants.
Highlights
Nowadays, health professionals, as well as consumers, are increasingly aware of food and its potential health benefits
This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill., its constituents, as well as its principal biological activities and the main applications described for this plant
A comparative study of the nutritional composition of Opuntia dillenii and O. ficus-indica pulp was performed by Medina et al [15], and they observed that O. ficus-indica had a higher protein content (0.90 ± 0.26 g/100 g) than O. dillenii (0.52 ± 0.12 g/100 g)
Summary
Health professionals, as well as consumers, are increasingly aware of food and its potential health benefits. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., known as prickly pear, is a plant originating from Mexico and belonging to the Cactaceae family. O. ficus-indica is a multipurpose crop, to provide food and feed but as a source of bioactive compounds with promoting health properties. This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill., its constituents, as well as its principal biological activities and the main applications described for this plant. This review exploits the potential of prickly pear and its constituents to produce new food ingredients with health promotion properties and/or to be a source of extracts for application in food, pharmaceutics or cosmetic industries
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