Opuntia Ficus-indica Fruit Research Articles

Effect of the ethanolic extract of cactus pear (Opuntiaficus-indica) fruit on net handling stress in zebrafish

ABSTRACT Objectives : In this study, the anti-stress effects of ethanolic extract of Opuntiaficus-indica (OF70E) were investigated.Methods : To determine the effects of OF70E on physical stress, changes in whole-body cortisol level or behavior were monitored in zebrafish. After treatment with 0.9% saline or OF70E for 6 min, all fish underwent net handling stress (NHS), which induced physical stress. And t hen, we conducted open field test (OFT) or sacrificed fish for collecting body fluid from whole-body. We u sed the cortisol enzyme-linked immunoassay kit to measure the amount of cortisol in each zebrafish sample.Results : In result, compared with normal group which were not treated b y NHS, whole-body cortisol levels were significantly increased in stressed-control group. Compare d with control group, pretreatment with OF70E at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 mg/L for 6min significantly inhibited the increase of whole-body cortisol levels induced by NHS(p<0.05). To anti-stress effects of OF70E on behavior, we conducted OFT after the induction of NHS following pretreatment of OF70E. As results of OFT, compared with unstressed-normal group, distance moved was significantly decreased by induction of NHS in stressed-control group ( p<0.05). OF70E-pretreatment blocked decreases of distance moved increased by NHS (p<0.05). And meandering movement, immobility and turn angle were significantly increase d by NHS in stressed-control group compared with unstressed-normal group (p<0.05). OF70E-pretreatment prevented the increases of meanderin g movement immobility and turn angle by NHS (p<0.05).Conclusions : In conclusion these results suggest that OF70E-pretreatment may prevent stress responses.Key words : Net handling stress, Zebrafish, Opuntiaficus-indica, Whole-body cortisol, Open field test

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES IN OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILL.

The fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., the most worldwide cultivated species of Cactaceae family, contain viable seeds (100-250) of large size. This characteristic influences the commercial quality of the fruit. The study of floral biology in Opuntia allows to understand the behaviour of the plant during reproductive phase and perhaps to distinguish clones with different fruits behaviour (with seed and seedless). The study resulted in a palynological characterization by optical and scanning microscopy (SEM), followed by a qualitative analysis on the male line with pollen viability and in vitro germination tests, in addition to a pollen-pistil interaction survey. The plant material collected, during June-July 2010, consisted of clonal samples of the same genetic origin collected from populations characterizing the Sicilian cultivation area and distinguished in seedly cultivar ‘Gialla’ (yellow) and ‘Rossa’ (red) and seedless cultivar ‘Bianca’ (white). The palynological characterization revealed that Opuntia pollen has a radio-symmetric shape with a reticulated surface, poly-panto-porate with a perimeter from circular to polygonal. Moreover, the membrane of the pore appears finely granulated. Scanning microscopy reveals that the pollen has an intectated, reticulated and hetero-brochated exine with about 20-24 pores with a thin membrane. The average viability of the pollen was 91.2% (±4.6) in ‘Bianca’ cultivar, 82.40% (± 9.88) for both seedly cultivars. In vitro germination rate was 28.76% (± 6.59) in the white cultivar, 27.85% (± 5.15) as overall average in ‘Gialla’ and ‘Rossa’ cultivar. In vivo germination rate in the seedless cultivar (75.77% ± 5.32) was higher than what was that recorded in the other two (53.5% ± 6.5).

MiRNA expression during prickly pear cactus fruit development.

miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. They are involved in the control of many developmental processes, including fruit development. The increasing amount of information on miRNAs, on their expression, abundance, and conservation between various species, provides a new opportunity to study the role of miRNAs in non-model plant species. In this work, we used a combination of Northern blot and tissue print hybridization analysis to identify conserved miRNAs expressed during prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) fruit development. Comparative profiling detected the expression of 34 miRNAs, which were clustered in three different groups that were associated with the different phases of fruit development. Variation in the level of miRNA expression was observed. Gradual expression increase of several miRNAs was observed during fruit development, including miR164. miR164 was selected for stem-loop RT-PCR and for a detailed spatial-temporal expression analysis. At early floral stages, miR164 was mainly localized in meristematic tissues, boundaries and fusion zones, while it was more homogenously expressed in fruit tissues. Our results provide the first evidence of miRNA expression in the prickly pear cactus and provide the basis for future research on miRNAs in Opuntia. Moreover, our analyses suggest that miR164 plays different roles during prickly pear cactus fruit development.

Influence of cultivar and origin on the flavonol profile of fruits and cladodes from cactus Opuntia ficus-indica

Flavonols are hypothesized to be the most important polyphenolic antioxidants. This present study aimed at investigating flavonols in cactus Opuntia ficus-indica fruits from two Egyptian cultivars in comparison to three common Sicilian cultivars, and two further cultivars from South Africa. Besides, cactus O. ficus-indica cladodes from Egyptian cultivars have been investigated as well. HPLC–DAD analyses showed that cactus O. ficus-indica fruits and cladodes are mainly characterized by isorhamnetin glycosides. These flavonols were found only in the fruit's peel and the cladodes, but not in the pulp. However, all analyzed cultivars exhibited the same flavonol profile which might therefore serve as a chemical fingerprint with regard to genuineness of cactus O. ficus-indica fruits and cladodes or even food products containing whole cactus fruits as ingredients. The findings obtained have been confirmed both by enzymatic hydrolysis of flavonol glycosides following analysis of the aglycons and by HPLC–ESI-MSn. The concentration of total flavonols ranged from 2.2 to 4.1 and 6.3 to 7.6mg/g (dw) in the fruit peels and the cladodes, respectively. Further, fruit peels and cladodes exhibited high total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities compared to those of the fruit pulps. These investigations valorize cactus fruit's peel and cladode in comparison to fruit's pulp, and may further provide additional data for using flavonols in chemotaxonomic studies of cactus Opuntia spp. and authenticity of cactus O. ficus-indica products.

Antileishmanial activity of Opuntia ficus-indica fractions

Cladodes and fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of abscess and skin inflammation. It was therefore interesting to assess whether an antileishmanial activity could be associated to skin healing. This study reports on the antileishmanial activity of Opuntia ficus-indica extracts from cladodes and fruits. Ethyl acetate extract from cladodes only exhibited an activity against Leishmania major with an IC50 value of 53.9μg/mL, but ethyl acetate fruit extract, ethyl acetate cladode extract and methanol cladode extract were active also against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values at 70.3, 70.5 and 45.2μg/mL, respectively. A poor activity of the fractions was monitored against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Finally, a bioguided fractionation of fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica led to a pre-purified fraction that exhibited an IC50 of 9.3μg/mL against Leishmania donovani intramacrophage amastigotes. The selectivity index defined as CC50/IC50 was higher than 10. In conclusion, the bioguided fractionation allowed to enhance the antileishmanial activity about ten-fold comparatively to those of the ethyl acetate fruit extract. Such an activity is worth of further investigations to identify the compounds responsible for the antileishmanial effect.

Metabolite profiling of enzymatically hydrolyzed and fermented forms of Opuntia ficus-indica and their effect on UVB-induced skin photoaging

Fermentation of natural products is emerging as an important processing method and is attracting a lot of attention because it may have the advantage of having a new biological function. In this study, fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica were enzymatically hydrolyzed and then fermented with two species of yeast. We identified novel prominent markers in enzymatically hydrolyzed O. ficus-indica (EO) and fermented O. ficus-indica (FO) samples by using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We also evaluated the effect of EO and FO on photoaging of skin cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation. We identified the major fermented metabolite in the FO as ferulic acid. Our in vitro study indicated that FO significantly enhanced the concentration of pro-collagen type 1 than the EO, by increasing the TGF-β1 production.

Textile dyes removal from aqueous solution using Opuntia ficus-indica fruit waste as adsorbent and its characterization

For this research, three different adsorbents, one untreated and two chemically activated, were prepared from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit waste. By the construction of adsorption isotherms, its adsorption capabilities and the viability of its use in the removal of textile basic and direct type dyes were determined. It was found that the adsorbent with the most adsorption capacity for basic dyes was the one activated with NaClO, and, for direct dyes, it was the one activated with NaOH. Langmuir and Freundlich equations isotherms were applied for the analysis of the experimental data. It was found that the Freundlich model best described the adsorption behavior. The adsorption capacity was improved when the pH of the dye solution had an acid value. The specific surface area of the adsorbents was calculated by means of methylene blue adsorption at 298 K to stay within a range between 348 and 643 m2 g−1. The FTIR spectroscopic characterization technique, the SEM, the point of zero charge, and the elemental analysis show the chemical and physical characteristics of the studied adsorbents, which confirm the adsorption results obtained.

Carbonaceous material production from vegetable residue and their use in the removal of textile dyes present in wastewater

This paper presents the adsorption results of acid, basic, direct, vat, and reactive-type dyes on carbonaceous adsorbent materials prepared starting off vegetable residue such as Opuntia ficus indica and Casimiroa edulis fruit wastes. The adsorbents prepared from Opuntia ficus indica waste were designated: TunaAsh, CarTunaT, and CarTunaQ. The materials obtained from Casimiroa edulis waste were named: CenZAP, CarZAPT, and CarZAPQ. TunaAsh and CenZAP consist of ashes obtained at 550 °C; CarTunaT and CarZAPT consist of the materials carbonized at 400 °C; lastly, CarTunaQ and CarZAPQ consist of chemically activated carbons using H3PO4 at 400 °C. Only the chemically activated materials were washed with distilled water until a neutral pH was obtained after their carbonization. All materials were ground and sieved to obtain a particle size ranging from 0.25 to 0.84 mm. The static adsorption results showed that both ashes and chemically activated carbon are more efficient at dye removal for both vegetable residues. For TunaAsh and CarTunaQ, removal rates of up to 100% in the cases of basic, acid, and direct dyes were achieved. Regarding wastewater containing reactive dyes, the efficiency ranged from 60 to 100%. For vat effluents, it ranged from 42 to 52%. In the case of CenZAP and CarZAPQ, it was possible to treat reactive effluents with rates ranging between 63 and 91%. Regarding vat effluents, it ranged from 57 to 68%. The process of characterization for all materials was done using scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

Sonicator dyeing of modified acrylic fabrics with indicaxanthin natural dye

The dyeing of modified acrylic fabrics using indicaxanthin as a natural dye isolated from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica has been studied in both conventional and ultrasonic techniques. Factors affecting the dyeing properties such as pH values, salt concentration, temperature, duration of dyeing bath, and ultrasonic power were studied. The optimal conditions for dyeing with indicaxanthin dye were carried out at 80°C for 30min at pH 3. Sonicator dyeing showed marked improvement in dye uptake. The results of fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were fair to good. Dyeing kinetics using conventional and ultrasonic conditions was compared. Color strength values obtained were found to be higher with ultrasonic than with conventional heating. Dyeing kinetics of modified acrylic fiber with indicaxanthin dye using conventional and ultrasonic conditions were compared. The values of dyeing rate constant, half-time of dyeing and standard affinity and ultrasonic efficiency have been calculated and discussed.

Dyeing properties and colour fastness of wool dyed with indicaxanthin natural dye

This research work involves the dyeing of wool with indicaxanthin, a natural dye extracted from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica. The optimal conditions for dye extraction were to mix 50g of Juice from cactus pears with 100mL of 80% aqueous ethanol as solvent for dye extraction. Liquid chromatography was applied for the separation. Two main dyes were obtained, which were identified as indicaxanthin (75mg per 50g) and betanin (5mg per 50g). The effect of dye bath pH, salt concentration, dyeing time and temperature were studied. The optimal conditions for wool dyeing with indicaxanthin dye were carried out at 70°C for 90min with the pre-treatment of various metal salts as mordant. The colour yields of the dye on the wool were found to be highly dependent of the pH, optimum results being obtained at pH 4. The K/S of wool increased in the order of the dyeing using KAl (SO4)2>MnSO4>CoSO4>FeSO4>none>ZnSO4>CuSO4. Un-mordanted samples have good properties of water and washing fastness. Mordants KAl (SO4)2 and CoSO4 were found to give good light fastness (rating 5).

백년초 열매를 이용한 두부의 품질 특성 연구

This study was conducted to investigate the quality characteristics of soybean curd prepared with Opuntia ficus-indica fruit, freeze-dried Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder, or heat-dried Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder, without addition of a coagulant. The yield rates of the soybean curd were slightly decreased for the three curds containing Opuntia ficus-indica fruit; this was accompanied by a significant decrease in pH. Furthermore, the hardness and springiness of soybean curds coagulated with added freeze-dried Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder or heat-dried Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder were higher than the hardness and springiness of the coagulated controls. However, the cohesiveness and brittleness of two soybean curds were lower than for the controls, while the gumminess of the four soybean curds containing control fruit was the same. In terms of overall acceptability, the preferred soybean curd was the curd containing freeze-dried Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder.

Flavonols, betacyanins content and antioxidant activity of cactus Opuntia macrorhiza fruits

Flavonols, betacyanins content and antioxidant activity of red-purple cactus Opuntia macrorhiza fruits, a promising cactus pear species, were evaluated in comparison to the well known cactus pear fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica. Flavonol profile was evaluated by HPLC-DAD prior to and after enzymatic hydrolysis (glycosides vs. aglycons). In addition betacyanins, responsible for the purple to red color of cactus pear fruits were also estimated and compared to Beta vulgaris ssp. (roots) and red O. ficus-indica fruits. In all cases, cactus fruit pulps showed no flavonols at all. While different derivatives of isorhamnetin glycosides were found in O. ficus-indica fruit's peel, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside was the only compound in O. macrorhiza fruit. Correspondingly, antioxidant activity assays showed a high antioxidant activity of both, O. macrorhiza fruit's peel and pulp. With regard to betacyanins, O. macrorhiza fruit's peel and pulp provide a deep red-purple color, whose average impact is higher compared to red beet (B. vulgaris spp.) and about 8-fold higher than red fruits from O. ficus-indica. Supporting these results, estimation of color attributes (L*, a*, b*, C and H°) showed also a high color impact of both O. macrorhiza fruit's peel and pulp.

Changes in enzymes involved in photosynthesis and other metabolic processes in the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica during growth and ripening

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the abundance of a number of enzymes in the peel, core and seeds of fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller during development. The enzymes studied were phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC: 4.1.1.31), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO; EC: 4.1.1.39), aldolase (EC: 4.1.2.13), pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK; EC: 2.7.9.1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC: 4.1.1.49) and aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT; EC: 2.6.1.1). To detect these enzymes, antibodies specific for each enzyme were used to probe Western blots of sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels. Fruit weight increased throughout development, and during ripening there was both an accumulation of total soluble solids and a decrease in both total titratable acidity and chlorophyll content. In the early stages of its growth the polypeptide pattern and enzyme composition of the fruit chlorenchyma was similar to that of the cladode. In the peel of the fruit PEPC, RUBISCO, plastidic aldolase and PPDK decreased to undetectable amounts as ripening progressed. PEPCK was not detected in either the chlorenchyma of the fruit or cladode. This showed that O. ficus-indica is not a PEPCK type CAM plant and that in this fruit PEPCK is not involved in the metabolism of organic acids. Cytosolic aldolase and AspAT were present in both the peel and core throughout development. The seeds accumulated storage proteins before the fruit ripened, and the abundance of all the enzymes studied declined once the accumulation of storage proteins was complete.

Purification and characterisation of a soluble nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruits

A glycosylated metallo-protein, nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase, in a soluble form was purified to homogeneity from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruits. The native protein had a molecular mass of 105±8kDa and was formed by two apparently identical subunits each containing 1 Ca2+ and 1Mg2+ ion. The Opuntia enzyme exhibited hydrolytic activities toward pyrophosphate/phosphodiester bonds of a broad range of natural substrates, but among these, only NAD(P) and NAD(P)H were hydrolysed very efficiently. Moreover, Opuntia pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase hydrolysed the artificial substrate thymidine 5′-monophosphate 4-nitrophenyl ester, whereas it did not show any catalytic activity toward bis-4-nitrophenyl phosphate, which is a substrate of other pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase enzymes. We observed an increase of enzyme activity from the green to the red stage of fruits development, suggesting that ONPP activity might be related to the ripening of prickly pears. The protein was shown to be resistant to 75°C for 30min. Other biochemical characteristics were investigated and are reported here.

Determination of Antioxidant Constituents in Cactus Pear Fruits

An analytical study was carried out on the presence of antioxidant constituents and the in vitro antioxidant capacity in the extracts of three species of Spanish red-skinned cactus pear fruits (Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia undulata and Opuntia stricta). The cactus pear fruit extracts were analyzed for determined constituents: ascorbic acid, flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, kaempferol and luteolin), betalains, taurine, total carotenoids and total phenolics. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by means of two different methods: the 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) method and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical method. Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract had the strongest antioxidant capacity and taurine content. O. stricta fruits were the richest in ascorbic acid and total phenolics, whereas O. undulata fruits showed the highest carotenoid content. Quercetin and isorhamnetin were the main flavonoids detected. This study provides basic information on the presence of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in extracts of cactus pear fruits, in order to consider these extracts as ingredient for the production of health-promoting food.

A novel (1 → 4)-α- d-glucan isolated from the fruits of Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller

A water-soluble polysaccharide (PS-1) was isolated from the fruits of Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller by hot water extraction, anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography (yield 167.5 mg/kg raw fruit; [ α] D 16 1 + 192° ( c 1.0, H 2O); total neutral sugar content 96.60% w/w; weight–average molecular weight ( M w) ∼360 kDa). Structural characterisation was performed by monosaccharide analysis and linkage analysis (methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and Smith degradation) on full and partial acid hydrolysates, followed by alditol acetylation, and product quantification by GC/GC–MS. Spectroscopic analysis (FT-IR and 1H/ 13C NMR) was also performed. Polysaccharide PS-1 was found to be an α- d-glucan with a (1 → 4)-linked α- d-Glc p backbone, with (1 → 6)-linked (1 → 4)-α- d-Glc p side chains, side chains being short in length with no additional branching, and a minimum branching of ∼1 in every 9–11 backbone units. The distribution of side chains lengths and corresponding branching density requires further investigation.

Influence of within-tree and environmental factors on fruit quality of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) in Italy

Introduction . Opuntia ficus-indica fruit quality was studied, in the main sites for cactus pear cultivation in Italy, with the ultimate goal of understanding the main sources of variability and increasing crop value. Materials and methods. A first study was carried out in 2006 on mature Opuntia ficus-indica trees, cvs. Gialla and Rossa, grown in ten commercial orchards located in the main sites for their cultivation in Italy. Trees were managed to produce an out-of-season crop in October, through the removal of the spring flush at bloom time, during the first week of June. Trees had a similar crop [(52 ± 10) kg of fruits·tree–1 ], and no more than six fruits were left on each of the fruiting cladodes. At commercial harvest time, indicated by the peel colour breakage, 75 fruits in each orchard and 750 fruits for each site were picked, analysed and evaluated by a consumer panel. A second experiment was carried out in 2006 on 8-year-old O. ficus-indica trees, cv. Gialla, grown in a commercial orchard. Within-tree factors, such as fruit position within the canopy, number of fruits per tree and per cladode, and cladode dry weight were studied. Results and discussion. Fruit weight, shape and total soluble solid content significantly changed with the environmental conditions, i.e., site and altitude, while flesh percent, pH and total titratable acidity did not. Cultivars had a significant influence only on fruit weight and seed content. Fruit weight changed greatly within the tree, while total soluble solid content and flesh percent variability was much reduced. Fruit weight decreased with fruit number per tree and both fruit weight and total soluble solid content decreased with more than six fruits per cladode. Light interception and cladode dry weight were the main sources of fruit dry weight variability and sugar content, while cladode surface area was poorly related to fruit quality. The role of cultivars in determining fruit quality did not change with site and, moreover, the sensory analysis was unable to discriminate for cultivar and environment.

Flower bud thinning in ‘Rojo Liso’ cactus pear

SummaryThe export of cactus pear fruit from Mexico has increased over the last decade, with growing consumer demand for larger and higher quality fruit. Growers are concerned that yields decrease when fruit thinning is used to increase fruit size. Our objective was to assess the effects of flower bud (FB) thinning on the pre-harvest and post-harvest attributes and yields of ‘Rojo Liso’ cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit. The experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006. The treatments used were: 1) no thinning, considered as the control; 2) thinning every second bud (T1); or 3) thinning two out of every three buds (T2). Marketable fruit (having an equatorial diameter > 5 cm) in the thinned treatments increased compared to the unthinned controls in both seasons. Thinning did not reduce fruit yield. Fruit quality was similar among treatments, both at harvest and after storage, except for the soluble solids concentrations which were higher in both the T1 and T2 treatments in 2005. Fruit weight loss in storage was similar among treatments. Flower bud thinning can therefore be recommended for commercial use.

Betanin a betacyanin pigment purified from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica induces apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia Cell line-K562

Betalains are water-soluble nitrogenous vacuolar pigments present in flowers and fruits of many caryophyllales with potent antioxidant properties. In the present study the antiproliferative effects of betanin, a principle betacyanin pigment, isolated from the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica, was evaluated on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line (K562). The results show dose and time dependent decrease in the proliferation of K562 cells treated with betanin with an IC(50) of 40 microM. Further studies involving scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed the apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing. Agarose electrophoresis of genomic DNA of cells treated with betanin showed fragmentation pattern typical for apoptotic cells. Flow cytometric analysis of cells treated with 40 microM betanin showed 28.4% of cells in sub G0/G1 phase. Betanin treatment to the cells also induced the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, poly (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, down regulation Bcl-2, and reduction in the membrane potentials. Confocal microscopic studies on the cells treated with betanin suggest the entry of betanin into the cells. These studies thus demonstrate that betanin induces apoptosis in K562 cells through the intrinsic pathway and is mediated by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, and PARP cleavage. The antiproliferative effects of betanin add further value to the nutritional characteristics of the fruits of O. ficus-indica.

버섯균사체 배양기질로서의 손바닥선인장의 활용과 그 배양추출물의 기능적 특성

This study was performed to know the potentialities of the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica, as a medium for mushroom mycelial culture. Five mushroom mycelial (Agrocus blazei, Grifola frondosa, Hericium erinaceum, Innonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus) were frown on the malt extract broth (MEB) and the cactus broth medium (CB). The submerged culture mixtures were extracted using equal volume of ethyl acetate, and their extract yields, total polyphenol contents, and some physiological activities were compared with each other Each extract from mycelial culture grown on CB medium showed remarkable enhancement in physiological activities compared with each counterpart grown on MEB. Among five mycelial cultures grown on CB medium, the extract yield and polyphenyl content were highest in the extract from Grifola frondosa (extract yield, 0.4 g/L and polyphenol content, 22.7%). Also, the extracts from Grifola frondosa showed the highest physiological activities, such as DPPH radical scavenging ($IC_{50}