Prickly Pear Research Articles

Ionotropic receptors mediate olfactory learning and memory in Drosophila.

Phenylacetaldehyde (PAH), an aromatic compound, is present in a diverse range of fruits including overripe bananas and prickly pear cactus, the two major host fruits for Drosophila melanogaster. PAH acts as a potent ligand for the ionotropic receptor 84a (IR84a) in the adult fruit fly and it is detected by the IR84a/IR8a heterotetrameric complex. Its role in the male courtship behavior through IR84a as an environmental aphrodisiac is of additional importance. In D. melanogaster, two distinct kinds of olfactory receptors, that is, odorant receptors (ORs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs), perceive the odorant stimuli. They display unique structural, molecular, and functional characteristics in addition to having different evolutionary origins. Traditionally, olfactory cues detected by the ORs such as ethyl acetate, 1-butanol, isoamyl acetate, 1-octanol, 4-methylcyclohexanol, etc. classified as aliphatic esters and alcohols have been employed in olfactory classical conditioning using fruit flies. This underlines the participation of OR-activated olfactory pathways in learning and memory formation. Our study elucidates that likewise ethyl acetate (EA) (an OR-responsive odorant), PAH (an IR-responsive aromatic compound) too can form learning and memory when associated with an appetitive gustatory reinforcer. The association of PAH with sucrose (PAH/SUC) led to learning and formation of the long-term memory (LTM). Additionally, the Orco1, Ir84aMI00501, and Ir8a1 mutant flies were used to confirm the exclusive participation of the IR84a/IR8a complex in PAH/SUC olfactory associative conditioning. These results highlight the involvement of IRs via an IR-activated pathway in facilitating robust olfactory behavior.

Interaction of Culture Medium and Artificial Light Type on Pigmentation of Micro-Propagated Opuntia Plants

Opuntia is recognized economically as a significant crop for its nutritional, functional, and therapeutic properties and its potential in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and bioenergy industries. Opuntia is conventionally propagated by seed or vegetative propagation via rooted scions or grafting. However, multiplication procedures are insufficient for extensive spreading. One of the alternative techniques is in vitro. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the growth of different components combined with light conditions to induce callus, embryogenesis, and the possible synthesis of a component in the genus Opuntia. The existence of genes involved in pigment synthesis in genotypes of different fruit colors was complementarily analyzed. In this study, we used different combinations of fructose (2 g/L) with prickly pear juice (2 mL/L), mannitol (4 g/L), silver nitrate (AgNO3: 1 mg/L), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D: 2 mg/L), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA: 1 g/L), with white, blue, and red LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and laser beams. These explants yielded sufficient contents of simple phenols, gallic acid equivalents (GAE: 2283.30 ± 6.29 mg/100 g), and coumaric (2155.0 ± 35.0 mg/100 g) and ferulic (2176 ± 27.9 mg/100 g) acids for the genotype Tapón aguanoso, and chlorogenic acid (CGA: 380.22 ± 22.05 mg/100 g) for the Copena V1 genotype. Upon analyzing the genotypes of different fruit pigmentations, we also observed the following: enzyme 4,5 estradiol dioxygenases can be present in all genotypes (regardless of pigmentation); enzyme 5,3 glucosyltransferases (GTs) could be induced in pigment synthesis in the genotypes of orange to purple fruits. Sequencing primer-amplified fragments for GT showed high similarity to uridine diphospho (UDP)-glucose from other species. This allows us to infer that it is possible to obtain products of high therapeutic value in the near future under controlled conditions.

Analysis of antiviral and antimicrobial activity of Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extract treated cotton fabric by cationization technique for healthcare and hygiene textiles

The aim of this work is to produce an effective antiviral and antimicrobial cotton fabric with adequate wash fastness effects on the Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extracted treated textile materials for healthcare and hygiene application. Since humans are more prone to bacterial and viral infections which are deadly and contagious, proper use of these fabrics will effectively reduce the spread of human pathogenic microorganisms. Cotton fabric is taken because it has a good absorbency, comfort and durability. Cotton fabric is subjected to cationization process using chitosan and sericin. The extract of plant Opuntia Stricta is obtained from its fruits by aqueous extraction technique. The Opuntia Stricta fruit are highly effective and possess various flavonoids that inhibit the growth and spread of human pathogenic microorganisms and the Opuntia Stricta extract were applied on to the cotton material using herbal dyeing technique. The effectiveness of the finished fabric were analyzed by AATCC method for qualitative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the treated samples, its shows excellent zone of inhibition in both gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria Echerichia coli.

Competitive adsorption of acid blue 113 and Congo red dyes from binary system with Moroccan prickly pear cactus peel (MPPCP) as natural adsorbent: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies

Competitive adsorption of acid blue 113 and Congo red dyes from binary system with Moroccan prickly pear cactus peel (MPPCP) as natural adsorbent: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies

Synergistic Effect, and Therapeutic Potential of Aqueous Prickly Pear Extract. In vivo Neuroleptic, Catatonic, and Hypoglycemic Activity

Background: Prickly pear "Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. "otherwise known as the Indian fig tree, belongs to the family Cactaceae, and was known as a medicinal plant for its rich source of bioactive substances. Objective: The present work aims to promote prickly pear seeds for traditional therapy by phenolic profiling and pharmacological tests of aqueous extract. Method: An analytical quantification was performed by UV-Visible, and the identification of different bioactive compounds was done by HPLC-DAD. For pharmacological screening, an in vivo evaluation of the various tests, neuroleptic activity which consists of testing the recovery reflex; catatonic activity which is a test to detect catalepsy that can be characterized in animals by the administration of neuroleptic drugs; and for hypoglycemic activity a test was performed to assess glucose tolerance. Results: The administration of aqueous extract of the prickly pear seeds at a dose (400 mg/kg) allows a reduction in blood sugar with a maximum decrease of one and a half hours compared to the control group. Conclusion: This work makes it possible to postulate that the extract of prickly pear seeds is associated with a very interesting antihyperglycemic activity given its high content of phenolic compounds.

7th new insect species with high potential to be used in the production of a natural red dye: Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell, 1896) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

There is a total of six insect species belonging to four families from the order Hemiptera, used in the production of red dye as a natural dyestuff. Carmine is obtained from Dactylopius coccus (Costa, 1829) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) feeding on prickly pears ( Opuntia spp.). The genus Dactylopius includes a total of 11 species, and none of them except D. coccus were declared as a dye insect. The reported use of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell, 1896) as a natural dye insect, was more widespread than D. coccus, and advantages versus D. coccus were announced for the first time in this study. To prove the hypothesis that D. opuntiae could be used as a natural dyestuff, silk fabric samples were dyed with D. opuntiae, naturally distributed in Cyprus. The light, wet and dry friction fastness values of the dyed fabric samples were tested. Also the carminic acid values of D. opuntiae were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography analysis and surface imaging analysis (scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer). The results of the fastness values of the dyed fabric samples and the high carminic acid content of D. opuntiae showed that this species has a very high potential to be used as the 7th natural dye insect in the world.

Bacteria associated with carminic acid metabolism in the intestinal tract of three predators of Dactylopius opuntiae

AbstractDactylopius spp. produce carminic acid as part of defence against predation. The average carminic acid concentration varies depending on the species, e.g., for prickly pear cochineal, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell), and cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), it is 3–5 and 19–25%, respectively. Generalist predators such as Laetilia coccidivora Comstock (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and specialist predators such as Leucopis bellula Williston (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) and Hyperaspis trifurcata Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) require detoxification mechanisms, which could be provided by gut bacteria. We determined the diversity of gut‐associated cultivable bacteria in these three predators and their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The bacteria were identified morphologically and by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In vitro assays were done to determine their ability to metabolize carminic acid. The greatest culturable bacterial diversity was found in L. coccidivora larvae and H. trifurcata adults, followed by H. trifurcata larvae. The lowest diversity was found in L. bellula larvae. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of Bacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland, Enterococcus gallinarum (Bridge & Sneath) Collins et al., and Enterococcus casseliflavus Collins et al. in L. coccidivora larvae, Enterobacter spec. in larvae of H. trifurcata, Lactococcus lactis (Lister) Schleifer in adults of H. trifurcata, and Staphylococcus spec. in larvae and adults of H. trifurcata. Bacillus pumilus Meyer & Gottheil was only found in L. bellula larvae. In vitro assays showed that all isolates evaluated could metabolize carminic acid, suggesting they play an important role in the predators' ability to metabolize carminic acid. Presence of E. gallinarum, which had the most efficient metabolism of carminic acid, might allow L. coccidivora to feed on the two Dactylopius species regardless of carminic acid concentration.

Investigation of phenolic and volatile compounds changes during vinegar production using spontaneous fermentation of different prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)-based matrices

In the current study, prickly pear vinegar (PPV) was spontaneously produced by surface culture using different matrices. The influence of prickly pear (PP) peel and the addition of sucrose on the evolution of both phenolic and volatile compounds during the fermentation process has been investigated. The main findings showed that produced PPV samples had a high number of functional compounds since 116 individual volatile compounds belonging to different chemical families and 20 phenolic compounds have been identified. To study the effect of matrix (juice or vinegar), PP fruit variety (red/yellow), PP peel (presence/ absence), and sugar addition (with/without) on phenolic and volatile compounds, data were submitted to statistical analysis (analysis of variance, principal component analysis and cluster analysis). Results showed that the use or not of PP peel in the PPV production process was the variable with the most influence on the phenolic composition of the samples. In the case of volatile compounds and taking into account all samples (juice and vinegar), the two main factors affecting the volatile composition were the matrix (juice or vinegar) and the peel (presence or absence) (p < 0.05). However, sugar addition had no significant effect on the analyzed data.

Infusion from Opuntia ficus-indica Peels: The Effects of Drying and Steeping Conditions

The escalating production of processed prickly pear products has led to a substantial rise in waste materials, particularly peel, which is rich in bioactive chemicals and holds the potential for value-added product development. However, the high perishability of these peels imposes effective preservation techniques. So, this work aimed to explore the potential of prickly pear peels from O. ficus-indica ‘Rossa’, ‘Gialla’, and ‘Bianca’ cultivars for the production of Opuntia beverages, namely infusions. To achieve this goal, two distinct drying methods, namely microwave drying and a food dehydrator, were employed with the latter method, resulting in the higher recovery of phenolic compounds (0.5 mgGAE/mL vs. 0.16 mgGAE/mL) and the higher antioxidant capacity of the resulting infusions. Additionally, various steeping conditions involving water temperatures of 80, 90, and 100 °C were assessed to maximize the levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The results demonstrate that the better overall drying method temperature and steeping conditions for the food dehydrator were at 35 °C and boiling water (100 °C) due to its generally better results and practicality. Sensorial trials revealed that the three infusions were generally accepted (score &gt; 7.20 out of 9) but that O. ficus-indica ‘Rossa’ received the highest ratings. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing drying methods and steeping conditions to preserve and enhance the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential in prickly pear peel infusions, promoting their sustainable utilization as functional ingredients in food and nutraceutical applications.

Testing Opuntia ficus-indica genotypes for resistance against Dactylopius coccus (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

Besides being a beneficial insect when it is cultivated for the production of carminic acid, the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus) is also a threat to the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), a plant that is extremely important as a source of food, cattle feed, income, and soil and water conservation. A crucial component of an integrated pest management approach is the use of resistant varieties. In a greenhouse, a test for resistance of four cactus pear genotypes to cochineal insects was conducted at the University of Guadalajara, Center of Sciences for Biology and Agriculture. Three of these genotypes (‘Punto 1’, ‘Punto 2’, and ‘Sandate 2’) were shown to be non-hosts for D. coccus. These genotypes can be used for further research and development purposes of prickly pear cactus.

Physicochemical and Biological Characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Seed Oil Collected from The Bordj Bou Arreridj Region, Algerian Highlands

Background: The prickly pear is well adapted to arid and semi-arid areas. It occupies an important part in the human diet and it is also used as fodder for livestock. It is an interesting plant due to the environmental conditions in which it grows and its resistance to extreme climatic conditions. The objectives of our study were to determine the biological effects of oil extracted from prickly pear seeds (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.). Methods: The organoleptic characteristics and the physicochemical parameters of this oil were done. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the oil were tested in vitro against certain numbers of pathogenic bacteria and fungi by the aromatogram method. The antioxydante activity and the GC-MS analysis were proceeded also in this study. Result: The results show that the bacterial strains Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis are the most sensitive to the acid oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. with an inhibition diameter varying between 23 mm and 25 mm, respectively. On the other hand, prickly pear seed oil exhibits an antifungal effect mainly against Candida albicans (25 mm). The oil extracted was strongest active (IC50 = 0.55 mg/ml). This indicates that our oil exhibited high reducing activity. 18 components were found in prickly pear seeds oil after analysis by GC-MS, which are presented mainly by phthalic acid (45.04%), monounsaturated fatty acid (18.56%), polyunsaturated fatty acid (16.69%) and other components (19.71%). The oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. seeds showed good biological activity grace to its richness in components.

Protective effects of HSP Inducer on diazinon-exposed stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) fry: Insights on HSP70 gene expression, immune response, and enzyme indices.

Aquatic environments face frequent exposure to organophosphate pesticides, such as diazinon, which are frequently utilized in agriculture. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of diazinon exposure on fish and to investigate the potential of the HSP inducer (HSPi) in developing a defense mechanism. To achieve this, several factors were analyzed, including the HSP70 gene expression, levels of immunity markers (lysozyme, IgM, and C3), antioxidant status, and the activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE). Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) fry, was exposed to diazinon (25, 50, and 75% of 96h-LC50) for 6 days after pre-treatment with an HSP inducer (HSPi), TEX-OE® (a prickly pear cactus extract), for 4 hours. Two HSPi concentrations, 100 and 200 mg.L-1, were used. Pre-treatment with HSPi significantly enhanced HSP70 gene expression in the gill and liver, as well as immune markers in the blood of Acipenser stellatus. Diazinon-treated groups exhibited higher antioxidant activities of SOD, CAT, and T-AOC. Increased activity also observed in control fish pre-treated with HSPi. However, stellate sturgeon receiving both diazinon and HSPi+diazinon experienced a significant decrease in AChE activity in comparison with control group. Cortisol levels were elevated in the fish that were subjected to diazinon. Those subjected to diazinon after receiving HSPi showed a significant decrease in cortisol levels. In conclusion, the study suggests that HSPi-mediated HSP70 induction may have a protective effect. The presence of an HSP inducer offers a potential strategy to mitigate the consequences of diazinon exposure in stellate sturgeon.

Phenylacetaldehyde induced olfactory conditioning in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) larvae

Abstract Phenylacetaldehyde (PAH), an aromatic odorant, exists in varied fruits including overripe bananas and prickly pear cactus, the 2 major host fruits of Drosophila melanogaster. It acts as a potent ligand for the Ionotropic receptor 84a (IR84a) and the Odorant receptor 67a (OR67a), serving as an important food and courtship cue for adult fruit flies. Drosophila melanogaster larvae respond robustly to diverse feeding odorants, such as ethyl acetate (EA), an aliphatic ester. Since the chemical identity and concentration of an odorant are vital neural information handled by the olfactory system, we studied how larvae respond to PAH, an aromatic food odorant with aphrodisiac properties for adult flies. Our findings revealed that PAH attracted larvae significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Larvae could also be trained with PAH associated to appetitive and aversive reinforcers. Thus, like EA, PAH might serve as an important odorant cue for larvae, aiding in food tracking and survival in the wild. Since IR84a/IR8a complex primarily governs PAH response in adult flies, we examined expression of Ir84a and Ir8a in early third-instar larvae. Our experiments showed the presence of Ir8a, a novel finding. However, contrary to adult flies, PAH-responsive Ir84a was not found. Our behavioral experiments with Ir8a1 mutant larvae exhibited normal chemotaxis to PAH, whereas Orco1 mutant showed markedly reduced chemotaxis, indicating an OR-mediated neural circuitry for sensing of PAH in larvae. The results obtained through this study are significantly important as information on how larvae perceive and process PAH odorant at the neuronal level is lacking.

Opuntia ficus-indica and its potential effects on cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 19.3 million new cases and 10.0 million deaths in 2021. Genetic and environmental factors, including nutrition, play an important role in cancer development. At present, health professionals and the public have become highly interested in natural products and healthy food for preventing or treating cancer. Several natural products, such as fruits and vegetables, have demonstrated anticancer effects. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), commonly known as prickly pear or cactus pear, is a plant that has numerous beneficial properties. It serves as a source of dietary fibres, vitamins and various bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypoglycaemic and neuroprotective properties. Different parts of the plant, including the fruit pulp and peel, cladodes (pads) and seeds, have been scientifically studied, and they have demonstrated therapeutic potential while being considered safe for human consumption. However, there is limited awareness and scientific information about OFI as a fruit. Reviewing existing knowledge and research on it is necessary to shed light on its potential anticancer properties. By consolidating the available information on OFI, we can gain a better understanding of this fruit and its potential role in cancer prevention and treatment.

Extraction of pectin from Ethiopian prickly pear fruit peel and its potency for preparing of cellulose-reinforced biofilm

Extraction of pectin from Ethiopian prickly pear fruit peel and its potency for preparing of cellulose-reinforced biofilm

Green Synthesis of Surface Modified Biochar for Simultaneous Removal of Steroidal Hormones and Heavy Metals from Wastewater: Optimisation by Central Composite Design

The modification of pristine biochar derived from the waste of sweet prickly pear using the green modification method to produce nano-sized biochar (nanobiochar) for the removal of steroidal hormones and heavy metals from water and wastewater is reported in this study. Based on the characterisation results using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS, the material had (COOH), (C=O), and (OH) functional groups typical of graphitic amorphous carbon. The SEM-EDS and XRD results showed that the material was mesoporous and amorphous in nature. The BET analysis results revealed that the surface area significantly increased from 220.1 m2/g to 354.6 m2/g after the modification of the pristine biochar. Based on the TGA-DSC results, the material was thermally stable up to 550 °C. A complete factorial experimental design using Minitab 21 Statistical Software (version 18.1) was employed to optimise the experimental adsorption conditions. The F-values and p-values for the lack-of-fit of the model showed the acceptability and significance of the ANOVA model. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm was found to provide a better fit for the steroid adsorption data than the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, with moderate values of R2 ≥ 0.92 for Langmuir and R2 ≥ 0.95 for Freundlich, as well as maximum adsorption capacities of 14.53 mg/g, 10.58 mg/g, 12.50 mg/g, 5.73 mg/g, 5.63 mg/g, and 9.75 mg/g obtained for estriol, α-oestradiol, β-oestradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and bisphenol A. Freundlich R2 values were lower than Langmuir R2 values for metal adsorption, with maximum adsorption capacities of 8.58 mg/g, 4.15 mg/g, and 6.95 mg/g obtained for nickel, cadmium, and lead, respectively. The maximum percentage of removal for effluents and influents was between 84–89% and 78–86% for steroid hormones and heavy metals, respectively. The highest removal percentage between 90–95% was obtained for spiked ultrapure water for both steroid hormones and heavy metals. The material exhibited a removal percentage up to 60% after the first four cycles.

Effect of Time and Temperature Storage on the Quality of unpasteurized Prickly Pear Juice Enriched with Hydro-soluble Opuntia ficus indica seeds Extract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating hydrosoluble Opuntia ficus indica seeds extract in unpasteurized prickly pear juice and monitoring its stability. For this purpose, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), browning index (BI), total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), antiradical activity (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and microbial analysis were monitored for both enriched and controlled juices during different time and temperature storage. Before storage, the enriched juice values were respectively 0.096±0.001%, 14.1±0.01%, 0.756±0.01, 133.3±3.4mgGAE/100ml, 5.58±0.07mgQE/100ml, 95.89±14.27mgGAE/100ml and 59.34±5.52mgGAE/100ml for TA, TSS, BI, TPC, TF, DPPH and FRAP; while 0.16±0%, 14.1 ±0.001%, 1.2±0.01, 88.39±4.2mgGAE/100ml, 3.98±1.003mgQE/100ml, 51.08±14.27 mgGAE/100ml and 50.33±5.16mgGAE/100ml for the control juice. The microbial analysis revealed the absence of microorganisms even the juices were unpasteurized. Moreover, the results revealed that the enrichment attenuated significantly the effect of storage; indeed, the use of the prickly pear seeds extract in combination with the juices can be a good alternative to enhance the shelf life of unpasteurized prickly pear juice, and improve their quality attributes as well as to minimize the unwanted changes in the nutritional and organoleptic properties.

Biodegradability Assessment of Prickly Pear Waste-Polymer Fibers under Soil Composting.

Nowadays, solving the problems associated with environmental pollution is of special interest. Therefore, in this work, the morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of extruded fibers based on polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) added to prickly pear flour (PPF) under composting for 3 and 6 months were evaluated. The highest weight loss percentage (92 ± 7%) was obtained after 6-month degradation of the PLA/PBAT/PPF/CO/AA blend, in which PPF, canola oil (CO), and adipic acid (AA) were added. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed structural changes in the fibers as composting time increased. The main changes in the absorption bands observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were related to the decrease in -C=O (1740 cm-1) and -C-O (1100 cm-1) groups and at 1269 cm-1, associated with hemicellulose in the blends with PPF. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed an increase in the cold crystallization and melting point with degradation time, being more evident in the fibers with PPF, as well as a decrease in the mechanical properties, especially Young's modulus. The obtained results suggest that PPF residues could promote the biodegradability of PLA/PBAT-based fiber composites.

Damage and ethology of Cryptarcha sp. in the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica(L.) Mill. Ayacucho, Perú

In prickly pear (Opuntiaficus-indica(L.) Mill.) of the semiarid forest of Ayacucho, Chryptarchasp. infests and damages the tender organs of the cactus. The objective of the study was to determine the damage of the insect during a year and its behavior. Fortnightly during the year, in 60 prickly pear plants, the number of young leaves, flower buds, flowers and green fruits, healthy and damaged by the insect and its behavior were monitored. Using the PAST 4.12 software, the annual cycle of damage occurrence and the annual cycle of the vegetative period of the prickly pear were diagrammed, to relate them to the climatic seasons; likewise, the principal component analysis (PCA) to establish the most affected tender organs and the period of infestation to the cactus. It turned out that during theyear the flower bud and the green fruit were significantly damaged. It infests the tuna mainly from November to March of the following year, which corresponds to the hot and humid season; in which it managed to damage 35.9% of flowers, 14.7% of tender leaves, 9.7% of green fruits and 0.7% of flowers. It has phytophagous and saprophagous behavior, being attracted by the juice of ripe fruit damaged by other agents, by the ferments of the stems of the prickly pear and other cacti in the process of putrefaction, and by the fresh feces of the pig.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivities of different fruit parts of Tunisian barbary fig (Opuntia ficus-indica)

The valorization of bio-waste to acquire products with high added value presents a great profit for the pharmaceutical, medicinal and food industries. Thus, seeds, peels, and pulps obtained from green (GFI), orange (OFI), and purple (PFI) Tunisian pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) were evaluated in terms of phytochemical composition and biological activities. The peel part of the purple fruit contained the highest content of K, Ca, and Mg. While the seed possessed the highest P and Fe amounts. Moreover, the total carbohydrate contents in the different pear fruit parts ranged from 43.41% in the seeds (GFI) to 68.12% in pulp parts (OFI) and were significantly different from each other. The pulp parts showed much higher xylose and fructose contents, averaging 3.38 and 119.17 g/L. The seeds of the three varieties were characterized by higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and mostly predominated by oleic acid that varied from 43.51 to 47.84% for the green and orange colored fruit seeds, followed by linoleic acid (32.76—37.1%). The seeds and peels parts contained higher levels of phenolic compounds with a total of 37 compounds compared to pulp extracts. The seeds of the three studied fruits possessed high repellency potentials against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). The greatest repellency activities were recorded in the purple (53.33%) and the orange (46.66%) fruit seeds at the concentration of 5 μL/cm2 and after 1h of exposure. The fruit parts showed considerable antibacterial and antifungal effects against Erwinia amylovora and Botrytis cinerea. The prickly pear fruit could be used as natural ingredients with potential biological activities.