Work

Phenolic Complexity and Ripening Dynamics: Advanced Profiling of Red Prickly Pear Varieties

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the polyphenolic profiles of six red prickly pear varieties across eight ripening stages, employing liquid chromatography and machine learning. We identified 29 phenolic compounds, including flavonols, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, and dihydrochalcones. The ‘Grifa’ variety showed a robust biosynthesis pathway, indicating higher antioxidant potential. Notably, significant variety-specific variations were observed, particularly in hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, suggesting genetic influences on phenolic biosynthesis. The Random Forest algorithm was effectively used for classifying fruit varieties and ripening stages, with key metabolites like chlorogenic acid playing a crucial role in differentiation. The study highlights the dynamic nature of phenolic metabolism in red prickly pear fruit and underscores the potential of machine learning in agricultural research. Our findings contribute significantly to understanding the phenolic composition of these fruits, offering valuable insights for agricultural practices and nutritional evaluations, as well as highlighting their potential as sources of antioxidants.

Source: Horticulturae

DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae11111354

Authors: José Manuel Pinedo-Espinoza, Elvia Becerra-Martínez, Cesar Uriel López-Palestina, Diego Alberto Hidalgo-Martínez, Ana Jovita Méndez-Martínez, Alma Delia Hernández-Fuentes

Institutions: Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas "Francisco García Salinas", Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Universitat de Barcelona

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Subfield: Biochemistry

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654