Bioactive Compound Extraction from Pereskia Species
Summary
Pereskia species, notably Pereskia aculeata, represent a unique group of leafy cacti with both nutritional and pharmacological promise. Their leaves and fruits are characterised by high levels of proteins, dietary fibres, vitamins, minerals and an array of bioactive constituents including phenolic acids, flavonoids and carotenoids. Extraction of these compounds relies on careful selection of solvents and techniques to maximise yield and activity. Conventional solid–liquid extraction, often using hydroalcoholic mixtures, remains a staple for initial fractionation of crude plant material. Emerging methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and green solvent systems have enhanced efficiency, reducing processing time and solvent consumption while preserving thermolabile constituents. Fractionation of crude extracts into defined polarity ranges permits enrichment of target bioactives and facilitates downstream purification. Analytical platforms – for example HPLC-DAD and UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS – enable detailed profiling of compound classes and discovery of novel molecules. The extracted bioactives exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, supporting their integration into functional foods, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations. Sustainable cultivation and processing of Pereskia species could provide an accessible source of high-value phytochemicals with global relevance for food security and health promotion.
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Bioactive Compound Extraction from Pereskia Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compound extraction from pereskia species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Solid–liquid extraction: A traditional method in which solvents dissolve targeted compounds from plant tissues.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction: A technique using high-frequency sound waves to disrupt plant cells and enhance release of bioactives.
Hydroalcoholic extract: A solution obtained by mixing water and alcohol as extracting solvents to solubilise a broad range of polar compounds.
UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, used for high-resolution compound identification.
Phenolic compounds: A class of plant secondary metabolites containing one or more hydroxyl groups attached to aromatic rings, known for antioxidant activity.
Flavonoids: A subgroup of phenolics characterised by a 15-carbon skeleton, important for their anti-inflammatory and free-radical-scavenging properties.
References
- Pereskia aculeata Miller as a Novel Food Source: A Review. Foods (2023).
- Selective Extraction Process and Characterization of Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds from Pereskia aculeata Leaves Using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. ACS Omega (2024).
- Elaboration and Characterization of Pereskia aculeate Miller Extracts Obtained from Multiple Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Conditions. Metabolites (2023).
- Carotenoids profile and total polyphenols in fruits of Pereskia aculeata Miller. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura (2012).
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