Abstract Opuntiaficus indica (OFI) has been used in traditional folk medicine. Many parts of the plant were investigated. However fewer data about seeds are available.
In this study, the lipid fraction was extracted from OFI seeds in two different regions of Tunisia, then investigated for their phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in order to evaluate their importance in health field. The results showed that the content of seed oil in unsaturated fatty acids is relatively high (83 %) mainly in linoleic acid (58.14 %). Also, the content in phenolic compound and vitamin E was high which leads to significant antioxidant activity. These compounds and antioxidant activity vary between the seeds collected from two regions. The oil from region 1 (Sidi El hani) is richer than the oil from region 2 (Kasserine) in polyphenols, flavonoids and alpha-tocopherols (366.36±18.73 vs 233.82 ± 10.50 mg gallic acid / kg of oil; 205.8 ± 10.65 vs 155.24 ± 10.96 mg catechine / kg of oil, 185.90 ± 30.62vs82.12± 24.66 mg / kg of oil). In the same way, the anti-free radical activity and resistance to oxidation were higher in region 1compared to region 2 samples. The OFI oil can be used in food and pharmaceutical industry due to its special characteristics. However, the effectiveness of this oil depends on the area of collection.
Keywords Antioxidant activity, fatty acid, Opuntiaficus indica, phytoconstituent, seed oil.