2026-03-05
José Valero Galvan, Miroslava Quiñones-Martínez, Raquel González-Fernández
Currently, information on the phytochemical composition and functional activity of Opuntia genus stamens remains limited, but recent studies have shown promising results. Further research on this topic is necessary to apply it to the differentiation between species and evaluate their chemical richness and antioxidant potential. In this context, the present study analyzed the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of the stamens of four Opuntia species. Aqueous extraction with methanol was performed, and various phytochemicals, including pigments, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, condensed tannins, and reducing sugars, were quantified using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was also assessed using FRAP and DPPH assays. Principal components analysis explained 97.9% of the total variation. Reducing sugars strongly correlated with component 1 (0.99), while chlorophyll b (0.67), the antioxidant activity as determined by FRAP (0.45), and carotenoids (0.38) were associated with component 2. The stamens of O. microdasys exhibited the highest levels of reducing sugars and carotenoids, while O. macrocentra and O. arenaria showed the lowest values, respectively. The highest antioxidant capacity (FRAP) was observed in O. arenaria and O. microdasys , and the lowest in O. engelmannii . Overall, the results suggest that the stamens of O. microdasys constitute a promising source of bioactive compounds, with potential for applications in pharmacology and nutrition.
2026-02-04
Jorge Alberto Alejandre-Rosas, Lizandro Ramirez-Trejo, Tomas Rivas-García, Bernardo Murillo-Amador, Alejandra Alvarado-Mávil, Fabiola Hernández-Ramírez
The genus Rhipsalis belongs to the Cactaceae family and comprises 33 registered species, which exhibit unique biological and evolutionary characteristics attributed to their wide biogeographical distribution. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the current state and research trends on this group. A bibliometric analysis of 110 research articles published from 2001 to 2024 in Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) was performed using the R Bibliometrix package. Co-occurrence networks, collaboration networks, and factor analyses were used to study authors, countries, keywords, and references. The results do not suggest a clear trend in scientific output or the number of citations; however, the publication of reports remained constant throughout the period. The main source of publications comes from Brazilian institutions, characterized by a high rate of self-collaboration. Among the 25 most cited references, topics related to biology and cactus systematics predominate. Three thematic clusters correlated with the keywords were identified: the first on ecology and evolution, the second on ethnobotanical and pharmacological uses, and the third on molecular and phylogenetic studies. This research is currently in a consolidation phase, focused on resolving complex taxonomic and evolutionary questions while simultaneously prompting metabolite bioprospecting with therapeutic potential. Active lines of research are using Rhipsalis baccifera , considered a relevant species within the genus, as a model organism. Phytochemical characterization is being studied to support its uses in traditional medicine, as well as its antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory potential. This study synthesizes the main genus research advances, offering a framework to guide future explorations and their possible applications.