An analysis of morphological, physiological, and molecular data from five cactus fruit varieties from Mexico and Chile, two ornamental Texas accessions, and one vegetable accession from Mexico are presented. Molecular analysis was performed using the RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) method. Phenotypic and molecular analyses distinguished ornamental, vegetative, and fruit market ac...

The present work studied the protective effect of Opuntia ficus indica f. inermis fruit juice (OFIJ) against ethanol-induced renal dysfunction in rats. Chronic ethanol administration (3 g/kg b.w) during 12 weeks to Wistar rats, significantly (p < 0.01) increased the serum and kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), the serum contents of urea, creatinine, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and the urinary g...

Opuntia ficus indica is a source of vitamins and minerals, recently, it has been used as ingredient to make new functional pasta. Italy produces the highest amount pasta in world also second-highest producer opuntia globally. This study sought identify consumer willingness pay for featuring understand what factors influence their choice. first food research analyze consumers’ indica. Data were ...

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. cladodes contain a polysaccharide fraction that can retain water. The cladodes are used in Sicilian folk medicine as cicatrizant. We studied the healing activity of a base cream containing 15% lyophilized cladodes and of a commercial ointment on the wound produced on the backs of rats. The treatment was carried out for 3 and 5 days. After three days of treatment,...

In this work we studied in rat the diuretic activity of Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) waste matter. The cladodes, flowers and non commerciable fruits were collected in S. Cono (CT, Sicily) cultivation. Acute and chronic diuretic activity of 15% infusion of cladodes, flowers and fruits were assayed. Natriuresis, kaliuresis and the activity on fructose-induced hyperuricemia was also...

Measurements of internal gas phase CO(2) concentration, stomatal resistance, and acid content were made in Crassulacean acid metabolism plants growing under natural conditions. High CO(2) concentrations, sometimes in excess of 2%, were observed during the day in a range of taxonomically widely separated plants (Opuntia ficus-indica L., Opuntia basilaris Engelm. and Bigel., Agave desertii Engelm...