Assessment of calcium oxalate in nopal (Opuntia mesacantha) powder by SEM/EDX

Cactus cladode powder derived from the plant Opuntia megacantha (also known as nopal powder) is a dietary supplement that is highly appreciated for its culinary and medicinal benefits, mostly due to its significant amount of antioxidants. However, an assessment of its bioactive chemical compounds re...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Euro-Mediterranean journal for environmental integration Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 827 - 833
Main Authors:	Ouhammou, Mourad, Hiadr, Nadia, Mourak, Abdellah, Alahyane, Abderrahim, Mahrouz, Mostafa
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Cham Springer International Publishing 01-06-2024 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Acids Aquatic Pollution Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution Bioactive compounds Biocompatibility Cactus Calcium Calcium compounds Calcium oxalate Carbon Chemical compounds Chemical elements Chlorine Cholesterol Cubes Diabetes Diabetes mellitus Dietary supplements Earth and Environmental Science Earth Sciences Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy Environmental Chemistry Environmental Management Environmental Science and Engineering Fruits Kidney stones Magnesium Metabolism Oxalates Oxalic acid Parenchyma Powder Renal failure Scanning electron microscopy Short Communication Spectrum analysis Sugar Toxicity Trace elements Trace elements (nutrients) Waste Management/Waste Technology Waste Water Technology Water Management Water Pollution Control X-ray spectroscopy Morocco Spiny cladodes Weddellite Whewellite Oxalate
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Cactus cladode powder derived from the plant Opuntia megacantha (also known as nopal powder) is a dietary supplement that is highly appreciated for its culinary and medicinal benefits, mostly due to its significant amount of antioxidants. However, an assessment of its bioactive chemical compounds revealed the existence of high levels of calcium oxalates. This could pose a risk of toxicity in vulnerable individuals, such as those with kidney failure or diabetes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (Energy Dispersive X-ray), EDX probe showed the presence of calcium oxalate that resembles sugar cubes. Additionally, the EDX spectrum indicated the existence of calcium, carbon, and oxygen, along with some trace elements such as sodium, magnesium, and chlorine. The powder of cladodes from the spiny variety of cactus consists mainly of epidermal cells, parenchyma, and chlorenchyma, similar to cladodes from the spiny variety of cactus according to Boutakiout (Int J Technol Enhanc Emerg Eng Res 3(1):1–8, 2015) and Malainine (Z Naturforsch 58:812–816, 2003).
ISSN:	2365-6433 2365-7448
DOI:	10.1007/s41207-023-00444-5