Biological Properties of Betalains extracted from inermis nopals of Algerian Opuntia ficus indica (L.)

The nopals of Opuntia ficus indica, used traditionally as a valuable vegetable, present a vegetative part highly rich in biomolecules such as betalain pigments. In order to reveal a possible use of these nopals as nutraceutical, in modern medicine or cosmetics, this study was conducted to quantify the betalains in inermis nopals of Algerian Opuntia, and highlighted their biological antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant activities in vitro. The yield of betalains extraction was 0.04% which equaled to 48.13±2.2 mg/100g dry weight (DW). The nopal's betalains showed a high antioxidant ability with a DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 =104.89 μg/mL), a reducing power (absorbance = 0.901 ± 0.065) and a maximum inhibition of β-carotene bleaching equivalent to 64.88%. These pigments exhibit a pertinent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, betalains prevent protein (BSA) denaturation and stabilize erythrocyte membrane at levels of 95.51±2.16% and 66.79±1.09%, respectively. In this work, betalains missed of anticoagulant efficacy since the clotting times registered were similar or even less than those of control. The above results clearly suggest that opuntia nopals, with their content of betalains, can be considered as functional food that can provide health effects for the consumer.