Evaluation of Phytochemical constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Opuntia ficus-indica L. cladode extracts

Author: Ingale M.G., Kamble V.A. and Maheshwari A.A.

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Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Cactus), commonly referred to as prickly pear or nopal cactus, is an excellent source of minerals, dietary fiber, vitamins and various phytochemicals. The present study is aimed to assess the phytochemical analysis and antioxidant potential of cladode extracts of Opuntia ficus indica L. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of significant amount of phenolics, flavonoids and tannins in cladode extracts. Among all the tested extracts, acetone cladode extract showed highest phenolic content of 25.20 ± 0.30 mg GAE/gm of dry sample. Acetone cladode extract showed highest flavonoid content of 10.30  1.11 mg CE/g of dry samples. Methanolic cladode extract was found to contain highest tannin content of 7.80 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g of dry samples. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging method. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded in ethanol and acetone cladode extract with the percentage inhibition of 78.27  1.22 and 57.90  1.78 respectively. Six different compounds with antioxidant potential were isolated from the acetone, methanol, ethanol and petroleum ether extracts using thin layer chromatography. GC-MS analysis of acetonic cladode extract showed the presence of Hexadecanoic acid (synonym – Palmitic acid). Compound Limonene dioxide 2 was found in methanol cladode extract. Ethanol extracts showed the presence of 1) 3, 5-Bis (trimethylsiloxy) benzoic acid, trimethylsilyl ester 2) 1, 2- Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dioctyl ester (CAS) Dioctyl phthalate and 3) Hydrocinnamic acid, benzyldimethylsilyl ester as an antioxidant compound. 5,7 dimethyloctahydrocoumarin 1 was found as an antioxidant in petroleum ether extract. The challenge in the present study was to isolate these antioxidant compounds in pure form, but thin layer chromatography based antioxidant assay by using DPPH method resulted in to better isolation of these bioactive compounds. The present study revealed and identified the bioactive compounds from opuntia Ficus indica L. cladodes which have potential as a strong antioxidant and can be key to the discovery of new antimicrobials.

Keywords

Cactus, Opuntia, Cladode, Antioxidant

Conclusion

Opuntia ficus indica L. cladodes are found to be an excellent source of phytochemicals. Cladodes were found to be abundant in total phenolic, total flavonoid and tannin content. Cladodes also demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. Positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activity and TPC and TFC of cladode extracts of Opuntia ficus indica L. Our findings demonstrated that the presence of bioactive compounds like hexadecanoic acid, Limonene dioxide 2, 3, 5-Bis (trimethylsiloxy) benzoic acid, Hydrocinnamic acid, benzyldimethylsilyl ester, 5,7 dimethyloctahydrocoumarin 1 in Opuntia ficus indica L. cladodes were solely responsible for exhibiting antioxidant properties. These compounds can be considered promising future source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in Opuntia ficus indica L. plant. Hence, cladode extracts may confer economic and health benefits and could be utilized as nutraceuticals and food preservatives.

References

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How to cite this article

Ingale M.G., Kamble V.A. and Maheshwari A.A. (2023). Evaluation of Phytochemical constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Opuntia ficus-indica L. cladode extracts. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 13-19.