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The main objective of the present study was to investigate a strategy to bioconverte spineless cactus Opuntia Ficus-Indica (O. ficus indica) Cladodes, Medicago sativa L. (M. sativa) and barley straw (H. vulgare) based on their chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and fermentation parameters. The CP ranged from 51.41 to 156.09 g/kg DM, which was especially high within M. sativa and low in H. vulgare. O. ficus indica had the highest values in free condensed tannins. The most digestible plant sample was that from M. sativa and O.ficus indica. The maximum in vitro gas production was recorded with M. sativa and H. vulgare. The same trend was observed with the total gas production (144 h). Based on the results, it can be concluded that O. ficus indica could replace common plant species, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas in which the livestock production section frequently suffers low efficiency and big losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the characterization of fatty acids and secondary metabolites in seeds of three cultivars of Opuntia ficus-indica L. (O. ficus-indica, yellow, orange, and green) harvested from the Souk Ahras area in Northeast Algeria was performed. The antioxidant activity of seed extracts was also assessed by using two methods, namely FRAP and DPPH tests. Results show that total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 63.02 to 81.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g of seeds. The yellow cultivar had the highest TPC, followed by the orange and green cultivars. Concerning flavonoids and tannins, the orange cultivar showed higher concentrations, corresponding to 2.97 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g and 5.60 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/100 g, respectively. Analysis of the seed extracts by HPLC revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, including gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, while the GC analysis of oil showed that prickly pear oil is a major source of essential fatty acids (C18:2). The antioxidant activities of extracts from the three cultivars were comparable. The EC50 for the reduction of ferric iron was almost 0.05 g/mL for all extracts. Regarding the scavenging of DPPH, green and yellow cultivars showed the highest capacity (EC50 = 0.26 g/mL). Linear correlations between the content of some antioxidants (flavonoids, tannins) and different activities were observed, indicating their participation in the latter. Above all, a significant inverse correlation between the total flavonoid content and the EC50 calculated for the reducing activity of seed extracts was observed (r = −0.657; p ≤ 0.05). Overall, the results indicate that the seeds of O. ficus-indica growing in Algeria can be exploited as valuable sources of table oil, cooking oil, and antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia ficus-indica is well-known in Algeria for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. Our study aims to determine the physicochemical properties, the functional groups and the antioxidant activity of cactus seed oil and thus contribute to the valorization of seeds. The extraction of prickly pear seed oil with cold-press provided a yield of 4.26± 0.93%. The evaluation of the its physicochemical parameters by the norms of AFNOR yielded the following results: density: 0.908± 0.00030 kg/dm; RI: 1.4714±0,00010; AV: 1.4± 0.09 mg KOH/g; IV: 114.08± 0.67 g I 2/100 g; SV: 188.94± 0.58 mg KOH / g; ES: 187.54±0.49 mg KOH/g; PV: 1.56 g O2/g; chlorophyll number: 1.076 and Carotenoids number: 0.315. FTIR spectrum was used to determine the functional groups and type of associated vibrations in the extract oil, which was scanned in the range (4000-400) cm -1. The FTIR results showed that the oil extract contains fatty acid methyl esters, revealing functional groups with ranges of properties, H-C = O, -(CH2) n -, C-O, C = C and C = O in the spectrum. The analysis of antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP methods showed that the OFI seed oil had a significant activity in capturing free radicals (IC50= 0.050 mg/mL), (EC50 = 0.123 mg/mL) respectively. We conclude from this current study that this oil can be used in folk medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition, investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and antibacterial activity of lipophilic extractives of three varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica roots from Algeria are reported in this paper for the first time. The results obtained revealed a total of 55 compounds, including fatty acids, sterols, monoglycerides and long chain aliphatic alcohols that were identified and quantified. β-Sitosterol was found as the major compound of the roots of the three varieties. Furthermore, considerable amounts of essential fatty acids (ω3, ω6, and ω9) such as oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were also identified. The green variety was the richest among the three studied varieties. The antibacterial activity, evaluated with disc diffusion method, revealed that lipophilic extracts were effective mainly against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (19~23 mm). Gram-negative strains mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave an inhibition zone of 18 mm, which is considered high antibacterial activity. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the tested bacteria revealed interesting values against the majority of bacteria tested: 75–100 µg mL−1 for Bacillus sp., 250–350 µg/mL for the two Staphylococcus strains, 550–600 µg mL−1 for E. coli, and 750–950 µg mL−1 obtained with Pseudomonas sp. This study allows us to conclude that the lipophilic fractions of cactus roots possess interesting phytochemicals such as steroids, some fatty acids and long chain alcohols that acted as antibiotic-like compounds countering pathogenic strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption and corrosion inhibitionof Cactus cladode(CC) extract collectedin eastern Algeria from areas of Chetaibi in Annaba on mild steel (MS) in 0.5 MH2SO4 solution were studied with potentiodynamic polarization (PP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The electrochemical stability of surface inhibitor film was investigated by chronoamperometry (CA) technique. The MS surface exposed to thecorrosive medium in the absence and presence of CC extract was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The potential of zero charge(Epzc) of MS in the presence of CC extract was determined by EIS methodand excess surface scharge of the metal surface was determined. It was found that CC extract has a high inhibition effeciency on the corrosion of MS. The thermodynamic examinations indicated that Kads was 20.88 L g−1 and ▵G0ads was −24.64 kJ mol−1.Thevalue of Epzc confirmed excess positive charge atthe MS surface. The adsorption of extract molecules obeys to Langmuir isotherm. The inhibition efficiency was 91.8 % at 1000 ppm CC extract concentration, while it iscreased to 97.7 % when 1000 ppm KI was added to this solution.The inhibitor film formed over the metal surface has a hydrophobic character.The addition of KI to the inhibited solution stabilizes the surface film and enhances inhibition efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption and corrosion inhibitionof Cactus cladode(CC) extract collectedin eastern Algeria from areas of Chetaibi in Annaba on mild steel (MS) in 0.5 MH2SO4 solution were studied with potentiodynamic polarization (PP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The electrochemical stability of surface inhibitor film was investigated by chronoamperometry (CA) technique. The MS surface exposed to thecorrosive medium in the absence and presence of CC extract was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The potential of zero charge(Epzc) of MS in the presence of CC extract was determined by EIS methodand excess surface scharge of the metal surface was determined. It was found that CC extract has a high inhibition effeciency on the corrosion of MS. The thermodynamic examinations indicated that Kads was 20.88 L g−1 and ▵G0ads was −24.64 kJ mol−1.Thevalue of Epzc confirmed excess positive charge atthe MS surface. The adsorption of extract molecules obeys to Langmuir isotherm. The inhibition efficiency was 91.8 % at 1000 ppm CC extract concentration, while it iscreased to 97.7 % when 1000 ppm KI was added to this solution.The inhibitor film formed over the metal surface has a hydrophobic character.The addition of KI to the inhibited solution stabilizes the surface film and enhances inhibition efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biodegradable edible films/food packaging is in the core of the new management strategies of food handling. The great challenge facing the food industry today is innovation in terms of ecological and effective edible coatings, with improved mechanical and sensory qualities but at lower cost. The current study intends to develop and characterize edible films by combining crude and pure Opuntia cladode mucilage and Locust Bean Gum (LBG), then evaluate their coating effect on stored strawberry fruits. The films were formulated using the two polymers at the same concentration (2% mucilage / 2% LBG) and glycerol as plasticizer, and they were compared for their physicochemical and mechanical properties like thickness, moisture content, water vapor transmission and transparency. The pH, weight loss and sensorial qualities of coated strawberries stored at 4°C were assessed during 14 days. The obtained results have shown that for the crude composite films CM-CLBG the thickness, moisture and water solubility were higher compared to those of PM-PLBG where water vapor permeability (WVP), transparency and surface contact angle (hydrophobicity) displayed the highest values. Weight loss and drop in pH of strawberries soaked in the CM-CLBG and PM-PLBG coating solutions and stored at 4°C were less significant than those of uncoated strawberries. Otherwise, coated fruits preserved a marketable visual appearance and texture, but lost their redness and gloss after the storage period. Despite the promising potential of Opuntia mucilage/LBG formulated films, some improvements are still needed to solve the problem of fruit appearance and meet marketing standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inventory of invertebrates on fig cultivation using 2 methods of sampling, Barber traps and colored traps in Ouadhias region (Tizi-Ouzou) Algeria, allowed us to collect 59 species divided into 46 families, belonging to 17 orders. The values of the centesimal frequencies applied to invertebrates orders identified in the studied plot vary from one type of trapping to another, each sampling method relates to a representative order group. The diets of insects are extremely diverse, due to the structures and function of the mouth parts, the structural and functional division of the digestive tract. We have established a distribution according to the different trophic categories according to our personal observations and the bibliography consulted. We were able to distinguish 9 groups among the 59 insect species selected. Shannon-Weaver diversity index values are quite high in the study plot, the fairness obtained for each type of trap varies from E = 0.91 to E = 0.93, these values tend towards 1, which reflects a balance between the species in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia ficus indica (L.) is interesting; it is used as forage, medicinal plant and as food (sweet fruits). Moreover, the cacti involve the CAM photosynthetic pathway which allows great water-use efficiency. In Algeria, despite their vegetative propagation, the wild accessions of this species showed significant diversity. In order to evaluate this diversity, 20 accessions of O. ficus indica L. were collected from different bioclimatic localities in Algeria. Morphological characterization of these accessions was performed. Thirty one qualitative and quantitative morphological features of six cladodes per accession were studied (measured or observed), then subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the principal component analysis (PCA) and the factorial correspondence analysis (FCA). The factorial analysis of the qualitative features separates the accessions into two forms (spiny and spineless). The bioclimatic effect on these features was negligible. However, ANOVA and PCA analysis of quantitative features allowed detecting a significant diversity within and between accessions. Spiny forms showed high variation in comparison to spineless forms; thus, under bioclimatic effect, three spiny groups were illustrated. This illustration allowed detecting a gradual variation of the following features: aptitude and length of spine, number of spine per areole, number of areole per face and cladode width. A significant correlation was found between these features and the classical Emberger's pluviometric quotient (Q 2 ). The results presented in this paper confirmed our hypothesis about the existence of a gradual variation of the spines and areoles traits, which seems to be a response to the bioclimatic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Algeria oils (Pistacia lentiscus, Opuntia ficus-indica, Argania spinosa) were studied. • Physicochemical properties / nutrient profiles were determined for these oils. • The antioxidant / antimicrobial activities of the oils were characterized. • Comparaison between the three oils is presented for the first time. • Pistacia lentiscus showed high metabolite contents and best antioxidant effects. Many parameters can influence the chemical profiles and the biological activities of seed oils. It was therefore of interest to study Algerian seed oils, whose caharacteristics are not well known. So, the physicochemical properties and nutrient profiles (fatty acids, phytosterols, polyphenols) of seed oils from Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL), Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) mill. (OFI), and Argania spinosa L. Skeels (AS) were determined. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oils were also characterized. The physicochemical parameters of the oils are closely related to the standard values. PL oil is distinguished by its high content of pigments. AS and OFI oils were dominated by linoleic acid, at 39.1 ± 0.5 and 55.8 ± 0.6%, respectively, while the oleic acid (41.2 ± 0.4%) was the major fatty acid in the oil of PL. The analysis of phytosterol levels showed that β-sitosterol was present in high amounts in the three oils, of 387.44 ± 3.04, 87.92 ± 0.72 and 58.79 ± 1.19 mg/100 g of oil in OFI, AS and PL oils, respectively. The characterization of phenolics revealed only the presence of protocatechuic acid in the PL oil and p -coumaric and t -cinnamic acids in AS oil. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by using the phosphomolybdate assay and the scavenger activity of the DPPH • radical. PL and OFI oils showed the highest antioxidant capacity compared with AS. Very weak antibacterial and antifungal effects, evaluated against four bacterial and six fungal strains, were found. Given the chemical characteristics and antioxidant properties of Algerian PL, OFI and AS seed oils, our results highlight the potential benefit of these oils for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]