Physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of the Xique‑xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) cactus from Caatinga Brazilian: are they nutritive and functional?

Abstract

Xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) is a cactus found in the Caatinga biome which is used in folk medicine for treating infammation, and also used in animal food. This study evaluated its proximate composition and bioactive compounds, as well as its bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity. Experiments were performed on diferent parts of the plant. The central stem of the xique-xique can be considered a source of insoluble dietary fber (5.18 g/100 g) and soluble fber (1.37 g/100 g). The vascular cylinder contained the highest mineral content: K (308.4 mg/100 g), Ca (145.57 mg/100 g), Mg (182.40 mg/100 g), and Mn (7.71 mg/100 g). The vascular cylinder group presented the highest activity for capturing DPPH radicals (572.96 µM of TEAC/100 g) and ferric reducing ability (1912.95 µM of TEAC/100 g). Catechin and epigallocatechin-gallate were the major phenolic compounds, while catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and procyanidin B and gallic acid were the most bioaccessible compounds after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Xique-xique can be considered as a potential food alternative with nutritional value and bioactive compounds, indicating its potential use and enrichment in various food products.