Nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits and cladodes <em>Opuntia ficus -indica</em> (L.) Mill

Domenico Prisa; Aftab Jamal

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025165

Keywords:

Abstract

Numerious scientific studies have demonstrated that cacti fruits and cladodes can serve as an efficient source of nutrients and phytochemicals of nutritional and functional significance, including sugars, mucilage, fibers, vitamins, and pigments. Due to their health-promoting properties, cactus products exhibit promising functional characteristics. In this article, we provide an overview of the major active components found in various cactus species worldwide. Historically, cacti have been used to treat diseases and wounds since ancient times, and their use as therapeutic agents in folk medicine especially cladodes and cactus pear fruits remains common. Cacti are traditionally employed as natural remedies in several countries. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in characterizing plant constituents and understanding the role of natural molecules in disease prevention. In addition to being a rich source of bioactive substances, cacti are excellent candidates for nutraceutical and functional food preparations. The beneficial properties of cactus products are enhanced by the presence of certain chemical constituents found in their fruits, cladodes, seeds, and flowers. Many of these constituents have the potential to act as health-promoting substances. Recent scientific discoveries have shed new light on the plant compounds responsible for the medicinal properties of cacti.
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How to cite

Prisa, D., & Jamal, A. (2024). Nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits and cladodes <em>Opuntia ficus -indica</em> (L.) Mill. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(5), 2025165. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025165

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Multidisciplinary Reviews

Review Article | Vol. 8 Issue 5 (2025), e2025165 | Published in 11 December 2024

Nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits and cladodes Opuntia ficus -indica (L.) Mill

Abstract

References

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