Effect of solvent polarity of phytochemical analysis of different Moroccan sites of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. pads

Abstract

The current study focuses on the study of phenolic compounds in methanol, dichloromethane, and chloroform extracts as solvents with increasing polarity, in order to quantify the secondary metabolites of Opuntia ficus indica pads collected from three Moroccan sites (Oulad Boubker, Imzouren, and Skoura). The findings showthat betalains and carotenoids were present, in varying amounts depending on the study area. The methanolic extracts had the concentrations of compounds. When analyzing the chemical composition using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, it was found that linoleic acid was the unsaturated fatty acid accounting for 14.279%. Palmitic acid, fatty acid derivatives and alkanes were also detected in all regions. Among the extracts Imzouren had the concentration of fatty acids (24.874%) followed by Oulad Boubker (13.907%) and Skoura (13.319%). However, oleic acid was detected only in the extract of Skoura. Hence, we were able to confirm that the chemical differences among the various Opuntia extracts were primarily influenced by the selection of the extracting solvent and the prevailing climatic and geographical factors.