Natural Resources and Local Products Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco.
Plant Breeding and Quality Research Unit, Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Marrakech, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco.
Molecules. 2024 Oct 7;29(19):4732. doi: 10.3390/molecules29194732.
Over the past decade, several studies have established a direct link between functional foods, nutraceuticals, and a reduced risk of oxidative-stress-related diseases. Nutraceuticals, which encompass a variety of bioactive molecules, exhibit both nutritional and therapeutic properties. The cactus pear ( spp.) is a plant genus with many species recognized as functional foods, largely attributed to their high content of nutraceuticals, including polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, pigments, and phytosterols. These compounds of different structures and functions possess different biological activities, contributing to the health-promoting properties of cactus pear. This makes cactus pears a valuable plant for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. While extensive research has focused on the nutritional profile of cactus pear fruits, the cladodes have received comparatively limited attention. Notably, the nutritional composition of cladodes can exhibit considerable variability, influenced by species and growing conditions. Furthermore, although various bioactive compounds have been identified in cladodes, studies elucidating their mechanisms of action, health benefits, and potential therapeutic applications remain insufficient. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing the understanding and utilization of cactus pear cladodes. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the structure-function relationships of the main nutraceuticals found in cactus pear cladodes. It synthesizes data from recent and relevant literature to elucidate the content of these compounds in relation to species and geographical origin, while also detailing the main biological activities and health-promoting benefits associated with cactus pear cladodes.
在过去的十年中，有几项研究已经确立了功能性食品、营养保健品与氧化应激相关疾病风险降低之间的直接联系。营养保健品包含多种生物活性分子，具有营养和治疗特性。仙人掌属（ spp.）是一个植物属，其中许多物种被认为是功能性食品，主要归因于它们富含营养保健品，包括多酚、脂肪酸、维生素、氨基酸、色素和植物固醇。这些具有不同结构和功能的化合物具有不同的生物活性，有助于促进仙人掌的健康属性。这使得仙人掌成为食品、化妆品和制药行业的有价值的植物。虽然广泛的研究集中在仙人掌果实的营养成分上，但对其茎的关注相对较少。值得注意的是，茎的营养成分可能因物种和生长条件而异而存在相当大的可变性。此外，尽管已经在茎中鉴定出了各种生物活性化合物，但阐明其作用机制、健康益处和潜在治疗应用的研究仍然不足。解决这些差距对于增强对仙人掌茎的理解和利用至关重要。本文全面概述了仙人掌茎中发现的主要营养保健品的结构-功能关系。它综合了来自近期和相关文献的数据，阐明了这些化合物在物种和地理起源方面的含量，同时详细介绍了与仙人掌茎相关的主要生物活性和促进健康的益处。
