Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of different extracts of Opuntia ficus indica Fruits

Author: Pooja Sharma and Nainesh Modi

Journal Name:

Download PDF

Abstract

The fruits of Opuntia ficus indica or prickly pear belongs to the family Cactaceae. The fruit is high in vitamin C, as well as other nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. In addition to its culinary uses, prickly pear fruit is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as wounds, inflammation, and high blood sugar. In a world facing various health problems and ailments, there is a growing need for research to uncover the potential benefits of natural resources. Oxidative stress-related disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer, pose significant health challenges worldwide. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits and vital bioactive content of prickly pear fruit. Therefore, the current study aimed at investigating the quantitative phytochemical analysis of phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides in different extracts of fruits from the Opuntia ficus indica plant. The results showed that the aqueous extract had the highest phenolic content, while the hexane extract had the highest flavonoid content. The fruit was found to have a low alkaloid content. The glycoside content varied depending on the extract used, with the aqueous and hexane extracts having the highest values. Research on natural compounds like the phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides found in prickly pear fruit can provide insights into their antioxidant properties and their potential to mitigate oxidative stress, offering promising avenues for developing preventive and therapeutic interventions for these disorders.

Keywords

Opuntia ficus indica, fruits, antioxidant, phenol, flavonoid, glycosides, cactus

Conclusion

The study analyzed the total phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and glycoside content of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extracts. The results showed that the aqueous extract had the highest total phenolic content, while the hexane extract had the highest total flavonoid content. The total alkaloid content in Opuntia ficus-indica fruit powder was found to be 3.7%, which is comparatively lower than other plants. However, the fruit extracts showed high glycoside content. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids have strong antioxidant activity, while glycosides have therapeutic potential. Although the current study focused on phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, there are many other bioactive compounds present in Opuntia ficus indica fruits that have not been fully characterized. Future studies could explore the presence and potential health benefits of other compounds such as betalains, carotenoids, and vitamins. While the present study provides evidence for the potential health benefits of Opuntia ficus indica fruits, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects.

References

-

How to cite this article

Pooja Sharma and Nainesh Modi (2023). Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of different extracts of Opuntia ficus indica Fruits. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 694-701.