Standardization of phenols and flavonoids extraction from opuntia ficus-indica mill cv. Atlixco and identification by mass spectrometry

The cactus stem of Atlixco cultivar is consumed for its pharmacological properties and it is marketed not only in Mexico but also in other countries. Despite this, its complete phenolic profile is not known which are recognised as powerful antioxidants. This work aimed to develop a standardised methodology for optimise the conditions for phenolic compounds extraction in the cactus stem of Atlixco cultivar and to identify these compounds using mass spectrometry (MS). Results indicated the following: a) it is recommended to use one unit of freeze-dried cactus stem for every 50 units of solvent. Subsequently, the blend should be eluted with water/methanol/acetonitrile in a ratio of 25:25:50 by the column chromatography technique; b) samples maintained in a reflux system with an acidic medium after two hours of heating at 65 °C showed the greatest amount of phenolic compounds by MS, and c) trans-caffeic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin were identified. In conclusion, only some of the phenolic compounds identified in this work had been reported in other cactus stem cultivars.