How Are Nopal Cactus Stem Cells Obtained?

The nopal, prickly pear or Opuntia ficus-indica belongs to the cactus family. Native to central Mexico, this cactus marked by its platyclades appeared already in the Old World in the sixteenth century. Today, Opuntia ficus-indica is cultivated particularly on the Mediterranean rim for its edible fruits with multiple culinary and medicinal uses, discovered by the Mesoamerican populations long ago. Healing and antioxidant virtues (because of the vitamin E which it contains) are associated with the nopal. It is even said to be an ally in case of diabetes because it would help to decrease the glucose and the lipids in blood.

By the way: The prickly pear has appeared on the Mexican flag since the country's independence

They are whole cells taken from a part of the plant. They are the result of a biotechnological process that follows several steps:

1. Selection of the plant and sampling: Removal of a piece of the plant (leaves);

2. In vitro culture of the sampled plant: Successive replications on a new nutritive medium made of water, minerals, sugar, and vitamins;

3. Elicitation: Stimulation by UV and visible light of the cell culture to produce metabolites (active molecules);

4. Rinsing: Removal of all traces of the nutritive medium;

5. Cell filtration;

6. Sonication of the cells and dispersion of the extract in sunflower oil.

This technique aims to reproduce and multiply cells from cell strains in a controlled environment. This process is not only beneficial for the ecosystem, but also preserves all the natural elements of the plant. Rich in essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, the obtained stem cells of this cactus thus have a great molecular richness which offers them a complementarity of action compared to other vegetable extracts (vegetable oils and essential oils).