Fresh Cactus Research Articles

Spineless cactus cladode is a viable replacement to barley and maize grains in the feed rations of dromedary camel calves.

No studies determined the use of spineless cactus cladodes in camel diets. The effect of replacing the main energy source in camel diets with fresh spineless cactus cladodes on growth performance was determined. Furthermore, the ability of morphology to predict cladodes yield was determined. A prediction model of spineless cactus cladode weight based on cladode volume was developed. Three cladodes per plants were randomly selected from 100 plants. Weight and volume were then recorded for each cladode. Sixteen male camel calves (196±18.2kg live weight and 430±5.55 days of age) were allotted to treatments, control (conventional camel fattening diet based on cotton seed hulls, cereal grains and agro-industrial by-products) or cactus (barley and maize grains in the control diet were replaced totally by fresh cactus cladode on dry matter basis). The study contained a 100-days growth trial and a 21-day digestibility trial (15 days of adaptation and 7 days of faeces collection). Blood samples were collected monthly from each animal. Cactus cladode volume predicted the dry weight with a high accuracy (prediction error=3.5%). Nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility did not significantly differ among the dietary treatments (p>0.05). The treatment significantly decreased feed conversion ratio by 1.52 points (p<0.05). All blood parameters were within the normal range of dromedary camels. Spineless cactus cladode is a potential replacement to the conventional energy sources in dromedary camel diets.

Bacterial Community and Chemical Composition of Mixed Fresh Cactus Forage and Buffel Grass Hay during Aerobic Exposure

The chemical composition of cactus forage becomes a favorable culture medium for accelerated microbial activity when exposed to air, as it contains high content of non-fiber carbohydrates and water. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial community dynamics of different mixtures, using fresh forage of cactus and buffel grass hay as a function of the period of exposure to air. The experimental design used was a 5 × 5 factorial completely randomized (five levels of cactus forage × five times of exposure to air), with five replications. The peak of Escherichia coli population growth was after 16.06 h of exposure to air, observed in treatments of 90% and 100% cactus forage. There was an increase in microbial richness and uniformity of all treatments after six hours. The most abundant genera were Weissella, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Pseudomonas, Sphingobacterium, and Sphingomonas. The diet with 100% cactus forage showed a predominance of Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Leuconostoc. With 20% cactus forage, there was a greater apparent abundance of Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, and Sphingobacterium. Aerobic exposure of mixtures of cactus forage with buffel grass hay increases the proliferation of microorganisms with pathogenic potential in the diet. Aerobic exposure of mixtures of cactus forage with buffel grass hay increases the proliferation of microorganisms with pathogenic potential in the diet. Therefore, an exposure period of fewer than six hours with 20% cactus forage is recommended to minimize levels of E. coli. Avoiding negative effects of the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms on animal and human health.

Hemoglobin A1c, hemoglobin glycation index, and triglyceride and glucose index: Useful tools to predict low feed intake associated with glucose intolerance in lactating sows

The aim of the present study was to evaluated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), and triglyceride and glucose (TG) index as predictive indicators for low feed intake in lactating sows due to glucose intolerance. Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) was included in sow diets as a modulating factor of glucose. Thirty-six sows were separated into three groups (Gs). Although the three groups received a conventional diet during gestation and lactation, 2.0 kg per sow per day of steam-cooked cactus (G1) and fresh cactus (G2) were added to the lactation diet as a glycemic modulating factor, with G3 serving as the control group. Glycemia was assessed via glucometer (blood glucose concentrations), HbA1c and HGI. For each indicator of glycemia the triglycerides and glucose (TG) index was evaluated. The highest blood glucose concentration was observed on day 3 of lactation (88.2 mg/dL). The average glycemic concentrations obtained from HbA1c on farrowing day (61.6 mg/dL) and day 21 of lactation (65.6 mg/dL) were lower (p<0.05) than those measured by a glucometer on the same days (71.8 and 77.7 mg/dL for farrowing day and day 21 of lactation, respectively). At farrowing, the TG index obtained from the HGI indicated that 83.0% of sows were glucose intolerant, compared to 100% according to the TG index obtained from a glucometer. At weaning, 50% of G2 did not show glucose intolerance when the TG index was calculated using the HGI, compared to 54% when it was calculated with blood glucose concentrations measured by a glucometer. All G3 sows presented glucose intolerance, regardless of the test used. The HbA1c, HGI, and TG index tests are viable alternatives to predict low feed intake due to glucose intolerance in lactating sows.

Validation and exploratory application of a simple, rapid and economical procedure (MESQ) for the quantification of mescaline in fresh cactus tissue and aqueous cactus extracts

Validation and exploratory application of a simple, rapid and economical procedure (MESQ) for the quantification of mescaline in fresh cactus tissue and aqueous cactus extracts

Intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed spineless-cactus silage and fresh spineless cactus

An experiment was carried out to compare the use of fresh cactus with cactus ensiled with and without a microbial inoculant in sheep diets by examining their feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis and counting fecal enterobacteria. Twenty uncastrated mixed-breed sheep at approximately six months of age, with an average initial weight of 23.48 ± 2.40 kg, were used in the study. The animals were assigned to four treatments [fresh spineless cactus processed twice daily at the time of supply (FC2); fresh spineless cactus processed only once, in the morning, and supplied twice daily (FC1); spineless-cactus silage without inoculant (CS); and spineless-cactus silage with microbial inoculant (CSI)] in a completely randomized design with five replications per treatment. The experimental period was 21 days. The use of spineless cactus in the form of silage (CS and CSI) resulted in higher (P < 0.05) intakes of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients; and higher digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, and total digestible nutrients. Lower counts of fecal enterobacteria were also observed with the ensiled cactus. By contrast, the diets did not influence (P> 0.05) nitrogen balance, microbial efficiency, urinary nitrogen losses, or fecal nitrogen losses. Regardless of inoculation, the ensiling of spineless cactus improves the sanitary quality of the diet, reducing the amount of enterobacteria in the cactus and resulting mainly in improved nutrient intake by sheep.

Effect of addition of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage on the biological leavening, physical, nutritional, antioxidant and sensory aspects of bread

The addition of active compounds to enhance the functional properties of foods is a quite common practice. Recently, bread became one of the target foods to incorporate functional ingredients such as those deriving from Opuntia spp. So far, only Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in powder has been tested. The addition of fresh O. ficus-indica mucilage (in substitution to water) did not influence the biological leavening of the doughs. The resulting breads showed a biological role of the cactus mucilage, because their antioxidant activity was higher than that of control wheat bread. The sensory analysis indicated a general appreciation of the breads enriched with O. ficus-indica mucilage by the judges. The inclusion of fresh cactus mucilage in bread production might increase the dietary antioxidant intake due to its daily worldwide consumption.

천년초 발효물의 라디칼 소거능

The aim of this work was to select suitable fermentation treatments for the efficient bioconversion of cactus (Opuntia humifusa Raf.) bioactive components with an improved radical scavenging activity for use as a nutraceutical. To obtain microorganisms for the microbial conversion of cactus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ATCC8294, Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3099, Lactobacillus plantarum KERI 236 and Monascus pilosus KCCM 60029 (ATCC 22080) were used for fermentation. Fermentation by Lac. plantarum KCTC 3099 was the most effective at scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and reducing iron (III). In particular, uronic acid levels showed a remarkable increase in fermentation. The polyphenol and quercetin content of the fermented cactus showed large increases from <TEX>$108.65{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> and <TEX>$2.71{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> to <TEX>$227.83{\mu}g/mL$</TEX> and <TEX>$9.73{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>, respectively, showing a maximum level at 36 h of fermentation with Lac. plantarum KCTC 3099. Thus, cactus fermentation with Lac. plantarum is an useful process for the enhancement of antioxidant contents and activity of fresh cactus.

The effect of Opuntia ficus indica and forage legumes based diets on goat productivity in smallholder sector in Zimbabwe

Nutrition is a major component in livestock production. The use of alternative feed resources which are adaptive to long dry seasons is important. A study was conducted to establish options of improving nutrition, palatability and to determine the performance of goats fed on cactus–browse hay as dry season supplements. Sixteen castrated goats were housed in individual metabolism cages for sixty-three days in a randomised design with four replicates for the four treatment diets. The experimental and basal diet intakes were measured daily while live weights were taken weekly. Daily feed intakes measured were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. Kids that were supplemented with Cactus-Leucaena leucocephala meal (CACT-LL) consumed more than those on Cactus-Acacia angusitissima meal (CACT-AA) and Cactus-Macroptilium atropurpureum meal (CACT-MA) but not significantly different from the commercial growers meal. Pennisetum purpureum (bana) grass hay was offered as basal diet. It was observed that all diets were readily palatable. However, the commercial diet had significantly higher basal diet intake compared to other experimental diets. Average daily weight gains were higher in CACT-LL and commercial diet. Moreover, all treatment diets led to increased growth rates and live-mass gains in goats. Animals that were given commercial diet and CACT-LL performed better than those supplemented with CACT-AA and CACT-MA. The weights were significantly different. Fresh cactus can be mixed with different browse legume hay and provide cover for dry season quality feed deficit and at the same time improve growth rate and overall weight gain.

Performance of goats fed on low quality veld hay supplemented with fresh spiny cactus (Opuntia megacantha) mixed with browse legumes hay in Zimbabwe.

Nutrition is a major constraint in smallholder livestock production; hence, the use of alternative sources which are adaptive to long dry seasons is imperative. The study was conducted to establish options of improving nutrition and palatability and also to determine the performance of goats fed on cactus-browse hay as dry season supplements. Palatability and adequacy of nutrition was investigated using 32 castrated male goat kids. The kids were housed in individual metabolism cages for 84 days in a complete randomised design (CRD) with eight replicates for the four treatment diets. Daily experimental diet, basal diet and water intake were measured, and live mass was measured at weekly intervals. Daily diet intake was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments. Kids that were supplemented with cactus-Leucaena leucocephala meal (CLLM) consumed more than those on cactus-Acacia angustissima meal (CAAM), cactus-Gliricidia sepium meal (CGSM) and cactus-Pennisetum purpureum meal (CPPM) in that order. CGSM was not readily palatable as goat kids refused to take it when mixed with fresh cactus. Animals that were not supplemented with a source of nitrogen together with those that were supplemented with less palatable diet of CGSM lost weight significantly (P < 0.05) initially but gained weight slightly towards the end of the study. Significantly higher weight gains (P < 0.05) were observed in animals in CLLM and CAAM treatment. It was concluded that fresh cactus could be used to improve poor quality roughage intakes in goats, and therefore, there is need to promote its use in periods of feed deficit especially in smallholder sector.

Effect of wilting of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on feed utilization in sheep

Wilting for 48, 96 and 144 h progressively increased cactus dry matter and water intake by male Highland sheep compared with the fresh cactus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Nutritive value, behaviour, and growth of Barbarine lambs fed on oldman saltbush ( Atriplex nummularia L.) and supplemented or not with barley grains or spineless cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica f. inermis) pads

This study had three objectives: (i) estimation of biomass availability of atriplex ( Atriplex nummularia Lindl.) foliage and wood (Trial 1), (ii) assessment of the effect of energy supplementation on feeding behaviour and growth performance of grazing lambs (Trial 2), and (iii) determination of in vivo digestibility of atriplex-based diets and nitrogen balance on lambs housed in metabolism cages (Trial 3). In Trial 1, twenty-five unbrowsed shrubs of atriplex were used for height, circumference, crown, and ellipsoid volume measurements. Thereafter, they were cut and their foliage and biomass weights were recorded and were regressed on dimension parameters. The best equations to estimate foliage biomass (FB = 0.69 × V, r 2 = 0.90) and wood biomass (WB = 1.56 × V, r 2 = 0.91) involved shrub volume (V). In Trial 2, 24 Barbarine lambs (17.9 ± 1.63 kg) were allotted into three equal groups and were housed in individual boxes. They were allowed to graze daily from 10:00 h to 16:00 h in a 5 ha shrubland. They had free access to water while browsing and as well as in the barn where they received either no supplement (group 1, control), 0.4 kg barley grains (group 2) or ad libitum fresh cactus cut into small pieces (group 3). The experiment lasted 85 days (10 days for adaptation and 75 days for measurements). During the measurement period and in every 15 days, three lambs from each group were observed for three consecutive days to record their behavioural activities. Lambs representing the three groups were observed simultaneously by three different observers. Times spent by lambs browsing atriplex or other vegetation, resting, walking or drinking water were recorded for 30 min at 10:30 and 15:00 h. Feeding behaviour recorded in the morning and the afternoon was similar ( P > 0.05). Lambs spent most of their time consuming atriplex and other vegetation. Both supplements reduced the time spent in atriplex browsing, increased the time spent in eating other vegetation and that spent in walking, without any change of resting time. Compared to the control group, barley and cactus supply decreased ( P < 0.05) the time spent in atriplex consumption (−31% and −37%, respectively). Lambs on atriplex without supplementation lost weight (−35 g/day). However, lambs given barley or cactus grew at rates of 67 and 20 g/day, respectively. In Trial 3, compared to the control group, barley-supplemented lambs and to a lesser extent cactus-supplemented animals exhibited higher organic matter and crude protein diet digestibilities and nitrogen balance. These results may explain why these lambs grew better than those of the control group. It was concluded that supplementation of free-browsing or stall-fed Barbarine lambs on atriplex with energy source is necessary. Both barley and cactus supply improved lamb performance.

Utilização de Três Fontes de Nitrogênio Associadas à Palma Forrageira (Opuntia ficus-indica, Mill.) Cv. Gigante na Suplementação de Vacas Leiteiras Mantidas em Pasto Diferido

O fornecimento da palma forrageira como único alimento não atende as necessidades nutricionais do rebanho, notadamente em proteína e fibra. Nesta pesquisa avaliaram-se fontes de suplementação protéica sobre o desempenho de vacas leiteiras alimentadas com palma e pasto diferido, durante a estação seca, bem como a composição botânica da pastagem. Testaram-se três tratamentos: T1 = pasto diferido (PD) + palma + cama de aviário; T2 = PD + palma + farelo de soja e T3 = PD + palma + uréia/sulfato de amônio, em um delineamento de blocos casualizados. Utilizaram-se 12 vacas mestiças 5/8 Holando-Zebu, com produção média de leite de 5,6 kg/dia/vaca e peso vivo (PV) médio de 452 kg. O experimento teve duração de 121 dias, sendo 21 dias de período de adaptação. Os resultados para produção de leite in natura (3,38, 5,33 e 3,38 kg/vaca/dia), produção de leite corrigido para 4% de gordura (3,15, 4,98 e 3,11 kg/vaca/dia), variação de peso vivo (-351, 77 e -401 g/vaca/dia) e consumo in natura de palma (26,3, 37,8 e 26,3 kg/vaca/dia), para T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente, demonstraram a superioridade do farelo de soja como fonte protéica, em relação aos demais tratamentos. No pasto diferido foram identificados 18 famílias, 32 gêneros e 36 espécies. O capim-milhã (Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitch) foi o componente de maior participação na composição botânica da pastagem (28,72%).

Desempenho produtivo de vacas 5/8 Holando/Zebu alimentadas com diferentes cultivares de palma forrageira (Opuntia e Nopalea)

Foi estudado o efeito de diferentes cultivares de palma forrageira sobre o desempenho produtivo de vacas mestiças holando/zebu. O delineamento experimental foi de ensaios alternativos, obedecendo a distribuição de quadrado latino, contendo três quadrados, com três períodos de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelas cultivares de palma forrageira redonda, gigante e miúda. De modo geral, foram observadas pequenas variações na composição química dos cultivares de palma. Não foi observada diferença significativa quanto ao consumo de palma in natura, consumo de restolho de milho e consumo de matéria seca, entre os animais alimentados com as diferentes cultivares de palma, sendo de 54,21; 7,91; e 9,04 kg/dia, respectivamente. Também não foi observada diferença para as variáveis leite produzido, leite a 4% de gordura e relação de consumo de matéria seca para leite produzido. Os dados sugerem que vacas leiteiras mestiças podem ser alimentadas com diferentes cultivares de palma forrageira, sem comprometimento do desempenho produtivo das mesmas.

Immediate allergic and nonallergic reactions to Christmas and Easter cacti.

Occupational exposure to Christmas cacti has been reported as a cause of type I allergy. Therefore, the prevalence of immediate-type mucosal and skin reactions related to cactus exposure was studied in 103 employees in a cactus nursery. The study was based on a questionnaire followed by clinical examination, skin prick tests (SPT) with standard inhalant allergens and cacti, and a histamine-release test (HRT/Refix) using fresh cactus extracts as elicitor. The questionnaire was answered by 84 (82%) of the nursery employees, and 63 (61%) were interviewed and skin prick tested; 58 of these were tested with HRT/Refix. Furthermore, 22 healthy controls were included and tested in vivo and in vitro. Cactus-related contact urticaria and/or rhinoconjunctivitis were reported by 37% of the cactus workers. Based on a combination of positive history, positive SPT, and positive HRT/ Refix to cactus, 8% of the cactus workers were allergic to cacti. No noncactus workers or controls were allergic to cacti by these criteria. Testing with fresh cactus material elicited positive SPT and negative HRT/Refix in 27 nursery workers and controls, of whom 12 had immediate-type skin and mucosal symptoms. Christmas and Easter cacti seemed to be able to induce contact urticaria and rhinoconjunctivitis on both an immunologic and a nonimmunologic basis. Personal atopy was associated with positive reactions to cacti.

Nutrient intake and utilisation in sheep fed with prickly pear cactus

The nutritive value of prickly pear cactus (Opuntiaspp.) was assessed on 18 adult rams divided into three equal groups fed either (i)Cenchrus ciliarishay to appetite plus 200 g concentrate (G1), (ii) chopped cactus andCenchrus ciliaris(G2), and (iii) chopped cactus andSorghum helepense(G3in a cafeteria system.Opuntia-fed groups G2and G3consumed 6·31 and 4·21 kg fresh cactus daily, amounting to 79 and 54% of dry matter intake, respectively. The cactus-fed G2and G3consumed less (p<0·01) drinking water. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein, and nutritive value were higher (p<0·01) in G1and G3than G2. G1animals maintained weight and those in G2and G3lost weight. It is concluded thatOpuntiais highly palatable and dry conserved fodder can sustain sheep during scarcity.

Determination of Mescaline in Hallucinogenic Cactaceae by Ion-Interaction HPLC.

Abstract An ion-interaction HPLC method is developed for the determination of mescaline in some Cactaceae species, namely Gymnocactus beguinii, Echinocactus polycephalus, Coriphanta radians, Coriphanta scolymoides, Coriphanta palmeri, Lophophora williamsii and Trichocereus pachanoi. Mescaline is characterized by hallucinogenic properties and can be prescribed as a psychodrug. The method makes use of a C18-reversed-phase as the stationary phase and of a 5.0 mM aqueous solution of octylamine o-phosphate as the mobile phase, with spectrophotometric detection at 230 nm. The method is sensitive (detection limit of 35 μg/L) and matrix interference-free. The pretreatment of the sample is performed by grinding the fresh cactus and extracting the jelly pulp obtained either with a methanolic-ammonial solution or an aqueous solution buffered at pH 4.0 (phosphate buffer). The average amounts of mescaline found in Lophophora williamsii and in Trichocereus pachanoi were respectively 2.55 mg and 3.10 mg/g of fresh cactus.