Effet de la méthode d’extraction aqueuse « macération et décoction » sur les différents composés et l'activité antioxydante des cladodes de l'Opuntia ficus-indica de la région de Ghardaïa

Abstract

The young cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, consumed as a vegetable, are a valuable source of bioactive compounds and nutrients, and are the subject of our study on their antioxidant activity and nutritional value by analyzing primary and secondary metabolites as well as mineral content. Moisture content, phytochemical composition, mineral analysis, and quantitative determinations: primary metabolites, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were carried out following established experimental protocols on the dry matter and/or the two aqueous extracts prepared by maceration (Ex M) and decoction (Ex D). The results revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, free quinones, tannins, terpenes, and reducing compounds, while anthraquinones and saponins were absent. Nutritional analysis showed moisture, fiber, lipid, and ash contents of 92 ± 0,03%, 7,135 ± 0,3%, 1,763 %, and 26,69 ± 0,37%, respectively. Protein content was higher in the maceration extract (14,46 ± 0,01%) than in the decoction extract (10,02 ± 0,02%). Carbohydrates were 56.47% in the dry powder, 49.65% in Ex D, and 55.66% in Ex M. The energy value was low in fresh material (22 kcal/100 g), while the dry matter extracts were much more energetic (273–281 kcal/100 g DM). Total polyphenols and flavonoids were also more abundant in the maceration extract (53,53 ± 0,04 μg GAE/mg and 150,4 ± 0,03 μg RE/mg, respectively) than in the decoction extract. The maceration extract also contained higher levels of minerals, particularly Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, P, Ca²⁺, and K⁺. Antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH assay showed a strong IC₅₀, comparable to ascorbic acid, with 42,731 ± 0,46 mg/ml for the maceration extract and 49,643 ± 1,9 mg/ml for the decoction extract. Total antioxidant activity was 35,08 ± 0,06 μg AAE/mg for Ex M and 30,9 ± 0,00 μg AAE/mg for Ex D. According to our study, higher extraction temperatures have a negative impact on the levels of secondary metabolites and nutritional compounds in the aqueous extracts of the cladodes, consequently reducing their antioxidant activity.