Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as prickly pear or Indian fig, is a species of cactus native to Mexico but now widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions around the world. This cactus is renowned for its edible fruit, known as prickly pears or nopales, and its pads, which are used in various culinary and medicinal applications. The plant is also valued for its ornamental qualities and its ability to thrive in harsh climates.

Botanical Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Family: Cactaceae
• Genus: Opuntia
• Species: O. ficus-indica

Plant Characteristics

Opuntia ficus-indica is a large, succulent cactus that can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall. It has flattened, paddle-like stems called pads, which are covered with spines and sometimes glochid hairs. The plant produces bright yellow or red flowers, which develop into edible fruits known as prickly pears. The fruit and pads are rich in nutrients and have a unique taste.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The prickly pear and pads of Opuntia ficus-indica contain several beneficial compounds, including:

• Cactus Mucilage: A gel-like substance with hydrating and soothing properties, used in skincare products.
• Vitamins: High in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and skin health.
• Minerals: Contains essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
• Antioxidants: Includes flavonoids and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant properties and help combat oxidative stress.

Cultivation

This cactus thrives in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils and requires full sun exposure. It is highly drought-resistant and can tolerate extreme temperatures. The cactus is typically propagated through pads or seeds and benefits from minimal watering. It is essential to protect the plant from frost and to handle it carefully due to its spines.

Uses and Benefits

• Culinary: The pads (nopales) and fruits (prickly pears) are used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, and jams. They are known for their distinctive flavor and nutritional benefits.

• Medicinal: Traditionally used to manage diabetes, improve digestion, and provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The mucilage from the cactus is used in skincare for its hydrating properties.

• Cosmetic: Prickly pear seed oil is used in skincare products for its moisturizing and anti-aging benefits. It is included in creams, serums, and facial oils.

Applications

• Culinary: Used in Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine for its flavorful pads and fruit. Also processed into beverages and food products.

• Medicinal: Utilized in supplements and traditional remedies for its health benefits, including blood sugar management and digestive support.

• Cosmetic: Incorporated into skincare formulations for its hydrating, anti-aging, and soothing properties.

Cosmetics. INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

CAS  90082-21-6

EC number  290-109-1

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Opuntia ficus-indica is generally safe for consumption and use in cosmetics. However, care should be taken to handle the cactus carefully to avoid injuries from its spines. Sustainable cultivation practices should be followed to ensure minimal environmental impact and to promote the health of the plant.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Zhang Y, Chang H, Shao S, Zhao L, Zhang R, Zhang S. Anthocyanins from Opuntia ficus-indica Modulate Gut Microbiota Composition and Improve Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production. Biology (Basel). 2022 Oct 14;11(10):1505. doi: 10.3390/biology11101505. 

Abstract. Opuntia ficus-indica is rich in a variety of active substances, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Some studies have shown that anthocyanins extracted from natural plants can regulate intestinal flora. The fruit was used as raw material, and anthocyanins were extracted from it. In vivo experiments were used to study the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica anthocyanins on the mouse intestine by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing (NovaSeq 6000 platform) and gas chromatography (hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID)) methods. Microbiota and effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The results showed that after feeding anthocyanins, the diversity of intestinal microorganisms in mice was significantly increased (p < 0.05), the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B value) was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, and Akkermansia in the intestinal tract of mice were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Escherichia-Shigella and Desulfovibrio decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, anthocyanins significantly increased the content of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum of mice, among which the content of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid increased the most. Opuntia ficus-indica anthocyanins can change the microbial diversity and flora composition of the mouse gut and promote the production of short-chain fatty acids. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the use of Opuntia ficus-indica anthocyanins as dietary supplements to regulate human intestinal flora.

Aragona M, Lauriano ER, Pergolizzi S, Faggio C. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller as a source of bioactivity compounds for health and nutrition. Nat Prod Res. 2018 Sep;32(17):2037-2049. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1365073. Epub 2017 Aug 14. PMID: 28805459.

Abstract. Plants with beneficial properties are known in traditional medicine. Nowadays, in spite of widespread availability of synthetic compounds, the search goes towards natural compounds to lower cost and few side effects. The increasing interest in preventive medicine encourages use of nutraceuticals, bioactive compounds of vegetable origin with important nutritional values. Among the medicinal plants, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller (Family Cactaceae, subfamily Opuntiodeae, Genus Opuntia, subgenus Platyopuntia, species Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) is widely known for its beneficial properties. The aim of the present review is to stress the major classes of Opuntia components and their medical interest through emphasis on some of their biological effects, particularly those having the most promising expected health benefits and therapeutic impacts on fish and mammals.

Silva MA, Albuquerque TG, Pereira P, Ramalho R, Vicente F, Oliveira MBPP, Costa HS. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: A Multi-Benefit Potential to Be Exploited. Molecules. 2021 Feb 11;26(4):951. doi: 10.3390/molecules26040951. 

Abstract. Consumer interest in foods with enhanced nutritional quality has increased in recent years. The nutritional and bioactive characterization of fruits and their byproducts, as well as their use in the formulation of new food products, is advisable, contributing to decrease the global concerns related to food waste and food security. Moreover, the compounds present in these raw materials and the study of their biological properties can promote health and help to prevent some chronic diseases. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (prickly pear) is a plant that grows wild in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, being a food source for ones and a potential for others, but not properly valued. This paper carries out an exhaustive review of the scientific literature on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds of prickly pear and its constituents, as well as its main biological activities and applications. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Many of its natural compounds have interesting biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial. The antioxidant power of prickly pear makes it a good candidate as an ingredient of new food products with fascinating properties for health promotion and/or to be used as natural extracts for food, pharmaceutic or cosmetic applications. In addition, it could be a key player in food security in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world, where there are often no more plants.

Shinga MH, Fawole OA. Opuntia ficus indica mucilage coatings regulate cell wall softening enzymes and delay the ripening of banana fruit stored at retail conditions. Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Aug 1;245:125550. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125550. Epub 2023 Jun 23. PMID: 37356689.

Zhou M, Wen C, Ming Y, Zhang L, Lyu X. Distribution and bioactivity of polyphenols in Opuntia ficus-indica (L. ) Mill. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2022 May;51(3):463-469. Chinese. doi: 10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.03.020.

Abstract. Objective: To study the distribution of the polyphenols of Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill, and study its antioxidant and the inhibition of sugar digestive enzyme activities by vitro experiments. Methods: Using ethanol as solvent, free polyphenols, esterified polyphenols, and insoluble bonded polyphenols were extracted from the peel, pulp and seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill, and their contents were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was measured according to their ability to scavenge DPPH, OH and ABTS~(+ )radicals, and the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities by various types of polyphenols in various parts was observed in vitro. Results: The peel polyphenol content of Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill was(1427.15±34.48) mg GAE/100 g, the pulp polyphenol content was(525.88±51.66) mg GAE/100 g, and the seed polyphenol content was(256.92±3.81) mg GAE/100 g. The free polyphenols, esterified polyphenols, and insoluble bonded polyphenols of different parts of Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill have the ability to scavenge DPPH, OH and ABTS~(+ )radicals, and the seeds had the strongest antioxidant capacity among all parts, the esterified polyphenols and insoluble bonded polyphenols of pulp and seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill have inhibitory effects on the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, with seed polyphenols have the strongest inhibitory ability. Conclusion: Opuntia ficus-indica(L. ) Mill has the highest content of polyphenols in the peel, and seed polyphenols have good antioxidant and the inhibition of sugar digestive enzyme activities.