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Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) is a shrubby cactus which originates from Mexico. It gives edible fruits known as Indian figs, cactus figs or prickly pears. All parts of plant (stem cladodes, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots) contain many bioactive compounds with numerous pharmacological activities. Prickly pear cactus has wide use not only in traditional medicine and modern studies often confirm its therapeutic effects. The article summarizes current knowledge about bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic effects of prickly pear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Religación: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades is the property of Religacion: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The wasp Eupelmus puchriceps (Cameron) is recorded for the first time as a parasitoid of the nopal spine weevil Cylindrocopturus biradiatus Champion. In addition, new distribution and altitudinal records from Mexico are presented, as well as preliminary aspects of its biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian semi-arid region is marked by a variable spatial-temporal rainfall distribution, concentrated over a 3 to 4 month season. Limited water availability is the main obstacle to the production of forage plants of C3 metabolism (such as corn and soybeans) and C4 metabolism (such as sugarcane), as well as livestock. To mitigate this forage supply, the spineless cactus (SC) has been cultivated in the region, producing high biomass amounts in this harsh environment. Recently, this remarkable capacity to produce biomass has drawn the attention of the renewable energy sector, supported by recent studies demonstrating the feasibility of its biomass as a raw material for bioenergy production. However, before moving to commercial scale, it is necessary to demonstrate that large-scale production has energy and economic viability for clean energy investors. Thus, the objective of this article was to analyze the energetic and economic viability of forage cactus cultivation systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The data used were extracted from the literature, based on forage production. For the energy evaluation, the energy balance was performed and the energy efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy, and net energy metrics were applied. The financial feasibility analysis used the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The energy balance revealed that the SC cultivation is viable for biomass commercial-scale production, with an energy efficiency of 3.36, an energy productivity of 0.25 kg MJ−1, a specific energy of 13.5 MJ kg−1, and an energy balance of 127,348 MJ ha−1. For the economic aspect, considering an attractive minimum rate of return of 8%, production also proved to be viable, in a time horizon of three years. The Net Present Value and IRR metrics were USD 2196 and the IRR was 46%, respectively. The results found are important to encourage new investments in rural properties in the semi-arid region, and cultivation in new areas proved to be an efficient alternative from an energy and economic point of view, in addition to collaborating for the energy transition to sustainable sources and in the mitigation of regional environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses use of populations of the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis) inhabiting the coastal slope of California to demonstrate how to refine the general gestalt of habitat conditions for the wren into defined parameters that can be used to develop strategic restoration plan. It mentions wren is thought to be strongly associated with coastal sage scrub dominated by California sagebrush and buckwheat.

The Brazilian semi-arid region is marked by a variable spatial-temporal rainfall distribution, concentrated over a 3 to 4 month season. Limited water availability is the main obstacle to the production of forage plants of C3 metabolism (such as corn and soybeans) and C4 metabolism (such as sugarcane), as well as livestock. To mitigate this forage supply, the spineless cactus (SC) has been cultivated in the region, producing high biomass amounts in this harsh environment. Recently, this remarkable capacity to produce biomass has drawn the attention of the renewable energy sector, supported by recent studies demonstrating the feasibility of its biomass as a raw material for bioenergy production. However, before moving to commercial scale, it is necessary to demonstrate that large-scale production has energy and economic viability for clean energy investors. Thus, the objective of this article was to analyze the energetic and economic viability of forage cactus cultivation systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The data used were extracted from the literature, based on forage production. For the energy evaluation, the energy balance was performed and the energy efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy, and net energy metrics were applied. The financial feasibility analysis used the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The energy balance revealed that the SC cultivation is viable for biomass commercial-scale production, with an energy efficiency of 3.36, an energy productivity of 0.25 kg MJ−1, a specific energy of 13.5 MJ kg−1, and an energy balance of 127,348 MJ ha−1. For the economic aspect, considering an attractive minimum rate of return of 8%, production also proved to be viable, in a time horizon of three years. The Net Present Value and IRR metrics were USD 2196 and the IRR was 46%, respectively. The results found are important to encourage new investments in rural properties in the semi-arid region, and cultivation in new areas proved to be an efficient alternative from an energy and economic point of view, in addition to collaborating for the energy transition to sustainable sources and in the mitigation of regional environmental impacts.

Background: Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntiaficus-indica) is the cactus species of greatest agronomic importance, due to its delicious fruits, stems (cladodes), which are used as fodder for livestock as well as a fruit and vegetable for human consumption. This cactus was introduced in Ethiopia 150 yrs before, locally known as Beles. The chemical, nutritional composition, and health benefits of cactus pears have been extensively studied. But the documented research evidence related to the nutrient content of the Ethiopian variety is very less and the study on health benefits is almost nil. Climate changes, drought, high temperatures, and changes in soil productivity are threatening human civilization in terms of food scarcity in Ethiopia. In this context, there is an urgent need to re-explore and promote Ethiopian Prickly Pear, an indigenous cactus as a supportive food for drought-prone areas in Ethiopia with enlightening the potential health benefits of cactus fruit and stem. Method: This work is based on the reports of the United Nations, local Government, and Non-Government organizations, research articles, conference proceedings, books, and unpublished theses. Conclusion: The review identified the gap between the knowledge and the practice in the use of this cactus in Ethiopia. It is recommended that along with administrative and social support; production and utilization can be enhanced to address human and livestock needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prickly pear cactus is not a problem in every pasture in Florida, but where it is found, it is often the biggest and most difficult issue to manage. Written by Brent Sellers, Pratap Devkota, and J. Ferrell, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised July 2020. Previous version: Ferrell, Jason, and Brent Sellers. 2011. “Prickly Pear Cactus Control in Pastures”. EDIS 2011 (9). https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/119382.

Objective: To describe the historical, clinical, and diagnostic features of small animal patients affected by cactus‐induced keratoconjunctivitis and their response to therapy. Animals studied: Three dogs and one cat. Procedures: Ophthalmic examination directed subsequent selected diagnostic tests in each case including light microscopy of extracted foreign bodies, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), corneal histopathology, and corneal bacterial culture. Treatments consisted of foreign body surgical extraction with concurrent medical therapy (three cases), or medical therapy alone (one case). Results: Clinical histories obtained supported acute cactus injury in all cases. Ophthalmic abnormalities were unilateral in each case and included ulcerative keratoconjunctivitis associated with linear, microscopic conjunctival and/or corneal penetrating cactus spines, known as glochids. Light microscopy and IVCM showed glochids to be heavily barbed, consistent with the spine morphology Prickly Pear (Opuntia) cactus species. Bacterial culture yielded Proprionicimonas sp. in one case with keratomalacia. Surgical extraction of spines was challenging, and residual conjunctival and/or corneal glochids were present in all cases. Patient discomfort resolved at a median of 21 days (range 10‐51 days). Vision‐threatening complications were not observed in any case at the time of last follow‐up examination. Epithelial downgrowth, demonstrated by IVCM and histopathology, was present in one case at 108‐day follow‐up. Conclusions: Cactus‐induced keratoconjunctivitis should be considered as a differential in regions in which Opuntia cacti are prevalent, and microscopic ocular foreign bodies are observed. Although glochids are difficult to extract, positive clinical outcomes can occur in small animal patients despite the presence of residual organic corneal foreign material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new population of Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. was found in Pike County, Kentucky. Consequent examination of other misidentified populations in Kentucky (Harlan and Pike counties) and West Virginia (Jackson County) provides the first known occurrences of Opuntia humifusa (sensu stricto) in Kentucky and a confirmed range extension into the Unglaciated Appalachian Plateaus Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladode brown spot (CBS) is an important disease of Nopalea cochenillifera in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. It has been reported in several countries, but its etiology is controversial, attributed to a complex of pathogens. Fifty fungal isolates were obtained and identified based on morphology and phylogeny, through analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-alpha), β-tubulin (TUB-2), second largest subunit of RNA polymerase (RPB2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the mating type locus MAT1–2 (ApMAT) partial gene sequences. Seven fungal general and twenty species were identified – Alternaria sp., A. longipes and A. tenuissima; Colletotrichum fructicola and C. siamense; Fusarium lunatum, F. incarnatum, and F. verticillioides; Lasiodiplodia euphorbicola, L. iraniensis, L. pseutheobromae, L. theobromae and Lasiodiplodia sp.; Neofusicoccum batangarum; Neopestalotiopsis australis, N. protearum and Neopestalotiopsis sp.; and Nigrospora sphaerica, N. hainanensis and Nigrospora sp. Four of these species had already been reported on Cactaceae of the genus Opuntia, but only N. batangarum, C. fructicola and C. siamense have been reported to date on the genus Nopalea. All isolates were pathogenic to detached cladodes of N. cochenillifera 'Miúda'. Differences in aggressiveness were observed among the species, with L. iraniensis and F. lunatum characterized as the most aggressive species, whilst F. verticillioides as the least aggressive. This study provide important information on the fungi associated with cladode brown spot and improve the strategies for the management of disease on N. cochenillifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of Opuntia cactus is a popular herbal remedy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Animal and human studies have demonstrated the hypoglycemic properties of the Opuntia (prickly pear) cactus that are likely attributable to both its fiber content and specific hypoglycemic molecular agents. Reduction in serum glucose levels are best observed when the cactus cladodes are consumed in cooked form, alluding to heating as a necessary step in attaining its hypoglycemic properties. Additional health benefits include its ability to reduce hypercholesterolemia, optimize platelet function, and decrease oxidative tissue damage. Health care professionals should inquire about and support the use of this complementary therapy among Mexican American patients in their management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This research explored the potential of the zero-waste concept in relation to the storability of fresh food products. In particular, the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) peel (usually perceived as a by-product) and the pulp were dehydrated, reduced in powder, and used as food additives to slow down the growth of the main spoilage microorganisms of fresh cod fish burgers. The proportion between peel and pulp powder was such as to respect the zero-waste concept. The antibacterial activity of the peel and pulp in proper proportion was first assessed by means of an in vitro test against target microorganisms. Then, the active powder was added at three concentrations (i.e., 2.5 g, 7.5 g, and 12.5 g) to cod fish burgers to assess its effectiveness in slowing down the microbial and sensory quality decay of burgers stored at 4 °C. The results from the in vitro test showed that both the peel and pulp were effective in delaying microbial growth. The subsequent storability test substantially confirmed the in vitro test results. In fact, a significant reduction in growth rate of the main fish spoilage microorganisms (i.e., Pseudomonas spp., psychrotrophic bacteria, and psychrotolerant and heat-labile aerobic bacteria) was observed during 16 days of refrigerated storage. As expected, the antimicrobial effectiveness of powder increased as its concentration increased. Surprisingly, its addition did not affect the sensory quality of fish. Moreover, it was proven that this active powder can improve the fish sensory quality during the storage period.

Newly eclosed larvae of Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) contain their activity to an arena formed at the base of their eggstick, marked with a mandibular gland pheromone. Laboratory and field studies were undertaken to determine if these pre-excavation aggregations, essential to their successful penetration of the host plant, could be disrupted with mandibular gland extract causing the incipient colonies to perish. Cladodes or whole plants were sprayed with the pheromone, obtained by extracting macerated caterpillars in hexane, hexane only, or left unsprayed, and the survivorship of caterpillars that eclosed from eggsticks attached to the cladodes recorded at a later date. In 4 separate experiments, the average survivorship of C. cactorum larvae from cohorts on cladodes sprayed with the extract (15%) differed markedly from survivorship of caterpillar cohorts on cladodes treated with the solvent only (84%) or left untreated (80%). This differential mortality was attributed to the elicitation of the independent dispersal of the caterpillars by the mandibular gland pheromone and their failure to reaggregate in numbers sufficient to mount a successful attack on the host plant. The potential for managing pest populations of caterpillars employing this target-specific alternative to conventional pesticides is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of two distinct cladode genotypes under three sampling dates (spring, summer, and winter). The juice extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica (spineless) and Opuntia megacantha (spiny) genotypes was analyzed for their phenolics content and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The composition of major phenolics substances of cladode juice harvested in March was determined by HPLC analysis. The average of the total phenolics content ranged from 455.65 to 542.70 μg GAE mL−1. The antioxidant activity varied from 1.78 to 4.10 μmol TE mL−1 by DPPH assay, 12.78–23.10 μmol TE mL−1 by ABTS assay and 1.74–3.33 μmol TE mL−1 by FRAP assay. Higher values of antioxidant activity and polyphenols content were registered in summer. O. ficus-indica recorded significantly higher values for the parameters compared to O. megacantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cecal gas (GP) and methane (CH4) production and cecal fermentation kinetics when corn grain (CG) was replaced with prickly cactus (PC) in a horse’s diet at different levels of Salix babylonica (SB) extract was investigated. Three total mixed rations where CG was replaced with PC at three levels (/kg): 0 g (Control), 75 g (PC75) or 150 g (PC150) were prepared and SB extract added at four levels: 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL/g dry matter (DM) of substrates. No ration type × SB extract dose interaction was observed (P > 0.05) for GP kinetics and CH4 production. Increasing the level of PC in the ration quadratically increased (P < 0.01) the asymptotic GP and decreased (P < 0.01) the rate and lag time of GP. Increasing the level of PC in the ration, increased GP values (P < 0.05). Increasing the level of SB extract linearly decreased (P = 0.001) the lag time of GP of all diets without affecting the asymptotic GP or the rate of GP. Ration type and SB level had no effect (P > 0.05) on CH4 production; however, at 36 h of incubation, SB extract decreased CH4 production. The rations PC75 and PC150 increased cecal pH compared with the control ration. The PC150 ration had the highest (P < 0.05) DM degradability, short chain fatty acids production, and gas yield after 24 h of incubation, with no effect (P > 0.05) of SB inclusion on all investigated fermentation kinetic parameters. It is concluded that increasing the level of PC in the diet of horse and replacing CG up to 60%, increased GP and improved cecal fermentation kinetics without affecting CH4 production. Inclusion of S. babylonica extract in the tested rations had weak effects on fermentation kinetics although it decreased the lag time of GP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an experimental investigation of the effect of corn grain replacement with prickly pear cactus and M. oleifera leaf extract in ruminal diets. In the control diet, 40 and 70% of corn grain was substituted with prickly pear cactus, while the level of M. oleifera leaf extract was varied from 0 to 1.8 mL/g dry matter. A significant interaction between experimental diet and dosage of M. oleifera leaf extract was observed for methane, carbon dioxide, and total gas production. An increase in the composition of pear cactus in the diet resulted in a significant decrease in carbon dioxide, methane, as well as the total gas production. A decrease in lag time of gas production was also observed. The asymptotic methane production and the rate of methane production decrease in all the diets with the increase in M. oleifera leaf extract doses. Addition of M. oleifera leaf extract to the control diet resulted in a decline in carbon dioxide production, while the reverse was the case when M. oleifera leaf extract was added to pear cactus containing diet. Therefore, replacement of corn grain with pear cactus and the addition of M. oleifera leaf extract resulted in a decrease in the production of greenhouse gases. This is a promising formulation for ecofriendly livestock diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of Escherichia coli against the ruminal microflora fermentation activities in the mitigation of CH 4 and CO 2 production as well as ruminal fermentation kinetics by substituting dietary corn grain with prickly pear cactus (PC) flour. Three total mixed PC rations were prepared (/kg DM): 0 g (Control), 75 g (PC75), and 150 g (PC150). Besides, E. coli was supplemented at four different levels (dose): 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/g DM of substrates. The in vitro rumen GP, CH 4 , and CO 2 were estimated to be affected due to various doses of E. coli up to 72 h of incubation. Asymptotic GP, fractional rate of GP, and lag time were influenced significantly ( P  < .05) in the presence of ration. However, E. coli doses showed minor impact on the rate of GP as well as lag time. The asymptotic CH 4 production was decreased linearly ( P  = .005) at the ration PC150. E. coli doses reduced the asymptotic CH 4 production at 10 and 20 mg/g DM. The asymptotic CO 2 production was linearly ( P  < .001) decreased by different levels of PC. The cubic ( P  = .023) effect of E. coli doses as well as significant ( P  = .002) ration ×  E. coli doses impact were reported on asymptotic CO 2 production. The fractional rate of GP was quadratically ( P  < .05) influenced by PC and E. coli doses. The rations, dose, and rations ×  E. coli dose interaction had no influence ( P  > .05) on lag time. In a nutshell, PC flour inclusion in diet has the potentiality to replace the existing conventional feedstuffs for ruminant. Most importantly, revealing the first report, PC flours along with E. coli supplementation at varied doses mitigated the ruminal biogases production. This was as consequence to the antimicrobial impacts of E. coli against ruminal microflora, and that could certainly be a promising approach in order to improve ruminant's diet constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study, focuses on seed germination ecology and seedling growth of Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae), a native species of arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico and invasive in the Mediterranean Basin. Shortly after collecting seeds in December 2014, scarification as well as the intra-specific variability in the responses of germination to light, temperature, salt stress and germination recovery were evaluated among three naturalized populations of this species in the Mediterranean. Moreover, seedling biomass production and the growth rate were measured. The most suitable method of scarification resulted the nail-clippers chipping. For all the populations, the germination trend was similar under light and darkness, but higher values of germination occurred under light. The highest germination occurred, for all the tested populations, at temperatures of 20 and 25 °C. Opuntia ficus-indica seeds were able to germinate up to 500 mM NaCl, but inter-population differences were observed. Nevertheless, seeds from all provenances showed a low ability to recover their germination after NaCl exposure. Biomass production of seedlings was similar for Sardinian and Sicilian populations, but not compared with the Spanish population. The growth rate of the Spanish population was, like the seedling biomass, different from those of Sardinia and Sicily. This study confirmed the presence of physical dormancy in O. ficus-indica seeds, due to lignified teguments in the seed testa and a secondary dormancy induced by the exposition to salinity. Even if many naturalized populations occur in the Mediterranean ecosystems, it seems this species has not acquired the Mediterranean germination syndrome. The ability of the seeds to germinate at high NaCl concentrations reveals a potential growth of O. ficus-indica in close coastline areas and in soils with high salt concentrations. These results could be important to predict where this species will spread in the Mediterranean Basin, threatening the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems, especially in islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruminal fermentation is accompanied by production of methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) which are greenhouses making the Earth warmer. Therefore, the sustainable production of CH 4 and CO 2 as well as fermentation kinetics when corn grain (CG) was replaced with prickly pear cactus flour (PC) was investigated. Besides, the effect of different levels of organic acid salts (OAS) was studied. Three total mixed rations used as substrates were prepared where CG was replaced with PC at three levels (/kg): 0 g (Control), 75 g (PC75) or 150 g (PC150). The OAS was used at three levels: 0, 5 and 10 mg/g dry matter (DM) of substrates. Asymptotic gas (GP), CH 4 , and CO 2 productions as well as lag time had linear responses ( P < 0.05) as PC level increased in the ration. Fractional rate of GP ( P = 0.007), GP, organic matter degradability, short chain fatty acid, and microbial biomass production ( P < 0.001) were increased with increasing level of PC. Fermentation pH ( P < 0.001), and DM degradability ( P = 0.0448) were linearly decreased as the PC level increased in the rations. Ration × OAS interaction did not affect fermentation kinetics, GP, CH 4 production and fermentation parameters. Prickly pear cactus flour at 150 g/kg DM inclusion level in ruminant ration has the potential to replace 60% of corn grain with enhanced fermentation and biodegradation efficiency in vitro ; however, it increased CH 4 production, which cannot be an environmental friendly way of feeding livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prickly pear cactus is a source of food with strong bio-cultural anchorage in Mexico. This is due to at least three factors: 1) the nature and heritage of cacti; 2) cultural heritage; and 3) the socio-cultural relationships with historical and symbolic roots that have facilitated knowledge of how to cultivate it and how to use it. The aim of this article is to put factors of territorial anchorage and its historical transformation in context by examining the case of the municipality of Tlalnepantla in the state of Morelos, Mexico. This community has experienced accelerated change due to the exchange of traditional crops for the prickly pear cactus and the integration of farming, commercialization and agro-transformation. Our hypothesis is that the market, internal conflicts and a lack of socio-institutional coordination have put social organization into crisis, favoring the territorial spread of the prickly pear cactus and making the Local Agro-Food Systems (LAFS) of Tlalnepantla less competitive. The conclusions highlight important economic and social advances whose roots lie in the strengthening and anchorage of the territory-product. However, circumstances both internal and external to the community persist, such as intra-community conflicts, the international market and cultural paradigm shifts that affect the producers and put consolidation of the LAFS at risk.

In Tunisia, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., occupying many hundreds of thousand hectares, constitutes a future plant as a fruit tree, mainly due to its edible fruit and vegetal mass used as food. The continuously increasing demand for young plants for the extension of its cultivation requires the research of rapid, efficiency and economic methods ensuring conformity multiplication. With aim to a large production of plant material, a rapid in situ propagation method of the prickly pear cactus was developed. Varied portions of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes harvested in spring or in autumn, planted horizontally or vertically were used in order to optimize rhizogenesis and secondary cladode initiation rates. Half, quarter and the tenth of cladode cuttings harvested and planted in spring vertically and in normal polarity show very interesting results concerning rhizogenesis and caulogenesis. Those portions of cladodes demonstrated the best results, vertically planted in normal polarity and 100% of rooting was observed on right ones. The number of roots was the highest on basal right tenth cuttings (80). Contrariwise, the percentage of secondary cladodes initiated was the highest on apical right cuttings (70 and 74%) and the longest roots were initiated on the two basal tenth cuttings, left and right ones (13 and 14 cm). This fragmentation represents a substantially gain of material and time especially for large cultivated surfaces of Opuntia ficus-indica. Reducing the cladode cutting size, do not reduce its rhizogenesis and caulogenesis potentialities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. They are involved in the control of many developmental processes, including fruit development. The increasing amount of information on miRNAs, on their expression, abundance, and conservation between various species, provides a new opportunity to study the role of miRNAs in non-model plant species. In this work, we used a combination of Northern blot and tissue print hybridization analysis to identify conserved miRNAs expressed during prickly pear cactus ( Opuntia ficus indica) fruit development. Comparative profiling detected the expression of 34 miRNAs, which were clustered in three different groups that were associated with the different phases of fruit development. Variation in the level of miRNA expression was observed. Gradual expression increase of several miRNAs was observed during fruit development, including miR164. miR164 was selected for stem-loop RT-PCR and for a detailed spatial-temporal expression analysis. At early floral stages, miR164 was mainly localized in meristematic tissues, boundaries and fusion zones, while it was more homogenously expressed in fruit tissues. Our results provide the first evidence of miRNA expression in the prickly pear cactus and provide the basis for future research on miRNAs in Opuntia. Moreover, our analyses suggest that miR164 plays different roles during prickly pear cactus fruit development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following an application from ICP Ltd, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Malta, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Preservationc and “rapid recovery of cellular activity post stress”. The Panel considers that Preservation®, which contains an extract of prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus-indica, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “rapid recovery of cellular activity post stress”. The claimed effect is general and non-specific, and the references provided did not provide information which could be used to define a specific beneficial physiological effect. The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non-specific, and does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

• Sicilian nopal (O.ficus-indica) was characterized for its macro- and micronutrients. • Solar-dried samples from different cultivars and pruning seasons were considered. • Sicilian nopal was a precious source of fibre, sugars, minerals, and polyphenols. • Although very low in fat, healthy short and long chain fatty acids were revealed. • Pruning season had a greater effect on chemical composition of nopal than cultivar. Sicilian dried nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) was for the first time chemically characterized in relation to the cultivar (i.e., Sanguigna, Surfarina and Muscaredda) and the pruning season (i.e., January-February and June-July 2019). To this purpose, a variety of analytical techniques were employed for elucidating its proximate composition, fatty acid composition, sugars, element fingerprint, and single polyphenols. Sicilian nopal was rich in dietary fiber (44.11–49.55 %), inorganic elements -such as Ca (4780.31–5041.47 mg/100 g) and K (4899.25–6612.95 mg/100 g)- phenolic acids (4.10–5.3 g/Kg) and flavonoids (3.80–4.85 g/Kg), including the characteristic kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside. It was also a good source of carbohydrates, with predominant monosaccharides such as glucose (9.30–12.00 g/100 g) and galacturonic acid (6.16–7.90 g/100 g) and demonstrated to be low in fat (0.76–2.46 %). In particular, its fatty acid composition was characterized by the predominance of short and long chain fatty acids, such as caprylic acid (3.48–7.65 %), linoleic (20.81–24.27 %) and linolenic acids (11.02–16.83 %). Additionally, obtained results pointed out that macro- and micronutrients were affected by both cultivar and pruning season, however, the influence of the pruning season being more pronounced. Such variability should be taken into account when evaluating the employment of Sicilian nopal in food and nutraceutical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The biosorption of cadmium (II) and lead (II) ions onto a natural, plentiful and low-cost biosorbent developed from cactus cladodes was investigated in batch mode. Experiments were carried out as a function of average biosorbent particle size, pH, biosorbent mass, contact time, initial metal concentration and temperature. The experimental results indicate that, the percentage of biosorption increases with an increase in the biosorbent dosage and the decrease of particle size. The equilibrium uptake was increased with an increase in the initial metal concentration in solution. The maximum biosorption occurred at pH of 5.8 and 3.5, respectively for cadmium (II) and lead (II) ions. Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data fitted very well to the Langmuir model with a maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 30.42 and 98.62mg/g, respectively for cadmium (II) and lead (II) ions. The biosorption yield decreases with an increase in solution temperature. The FTIR analysis of unloaded and metal loaded biosorbent indicated the involvement of C O, O C and C O C groups in metal binding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following an application from ICP Ltd, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Malta, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Preservationc and “rapid recovery of cellular activity post stress”. The Panel considers that Preservation®, which contains an extract of prickly pear cactus Opuntia ficus‐indica, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “rapid recovery of cellular activity post stress”. The claimed effect is general and non‐specific, and the references provided did not provide information which could be used to define a specific beneficial physiological effect. The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non‐specific, and does not comply with the criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The biosorption of Methylene Blue (MB), Eriochrome Black T (EBT) and Alizarin S (AS) from aqueous solutions by dried prickly pear cactus cladodes as a low-cost, natural and eco-friendly biosorbent was investigated. The study was carried out under various parameters, such as average biosorbent particle size, pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. The experimental results show that, the percentage of biosorption increases with an increase in the biosorbent dosage, and the decrease of particle size. The biosorption was pH dependent with a high biosorption of cationic dye (MB) in basic range and a high biosorption of anionic dyes (EBT and AS) in acidic range. The equilibrium uptake was increased with an increase in the initial dye concentration in solution. Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Temkin and Toth isotherm equations. The best fit was obtained by the Redlich–Peterson model and the Langmuir model with a Langmuir maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 189.83mg/g for Methylene Blue, 200.22mg/g for Eriochrome Black T and 118.35mg/g for Alizarin S. The biosorption was exothermic in nature (ΔH°=−31.035kJ/mol for MB, −10.25kJ/mol for EBT and −11.69kJ/mol for AS). The reaction was accompanied by a decrease in entropy (ΔS°=−94.76J/Kmol for MB, −38.44J/Kmol for EBT and −41.93J/Kmol for AS). The Gibbs energy (ΔG°) increased when the temperature was increased from 25 to 60°C indicating a decrease in feasibility of biosorption at higher temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), is native to South America. Since its unintentional arrival to the United States in 1989 and to Mexican islands in 2006, it has become a serious threat to the diversity of both wild and cultivated species of Opuntia Mill. in North America. The native ecological host range of C. cactorum has not been directly ascertained and host acceptance is unclear. Taxonomic nomenclature of Opuntia spp. has been confusing, contradictory, and rapidly changing, leading to inaccurate conclusions about host plant use by C. cactorum in its native South American range. This study was conducted to better understand the biology and ecology of C. cactorum in Argentina by evaluating, under laboratory conditions, the insects' performance (survivorship, development time, potential fecundity) on 8 Opuntia spp. occurring in Argentina. Feeding trials were conducted on 5 Opuntia spp. native to Argentina and 3 Opuntia spp. native to Mexico. Cactoblastis cactorum larvae failed to feed on 2 native Opuntia spp., and had their greatest performance on the North American O. ficus-indica (L). Mill. and O. robusta H. L. Wendl. ex Pfeiff., and the South American O. arechavaletae Speg. Because the insects for the experiments were originally collected on O. ficus-indica, a reciprocal cross feeding experiment with insects collected on O. megapotamica Arechav. was also conducted to test for a potential host plantmediated local adaptation effect. Some evidence for host plant adaptation was detected in populations collected on the South American host, O. megapotamica. Local adaptation, as documented here, could have consequences for the invasion process of C. cactorum in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]