Anatomical, chemical, and biochemical characterization of cladodes from prickly pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.].
Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes represent the green stem of the plant and are generally used as animal feed or disposed of in landfills. The present work investigated the anatomical and chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes, which form the basis of their pharmacological effects. Glucose and galacturonic acid were the main sugars of Opuntia cladodes, whereas high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of mainly kaempherol and isorhamnetin glycosides (glucoside and rhamnoside). The presence of high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals was demonstrated by light microscopy on fresh and lyophilized cladodes. No antimicrobial activity was observed even after enzymatic treatment. O. ficus-indica cladodes may retain material tightly associated with cell-wall components, and this property will have the potential to greatly reduce the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.
Ginestra
Giovanna
G
Pharmaco-Biological Department, University of Messina, Vill. SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Parker
Mary L
ML
Bennett
Richard N
RN
Robertson
Jim
J
Mandalari
Giuseppina
G
Narbad
Arjan
A
Lo Curto
Rosario B
RB
Bisignano
Giuseppe
G
Faulds
Craig B
CB
Waldron
Keith W
KW
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D029747:Opuntia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C007819:galacturonic acid; D005947:Glucose