Fermentability of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes powder by the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F2: First insights on the strengthening of both health- beneficial effects

Opuntia ficus-indica is a succulent plant of Cactaceae family, easily distinguished by the presence of characterized branches called “cladodes”. The latter are rich in bioactive components such as dietary fibers, vitamins and polyphenols, and thus could be considered as a functional food or food ingredient. The main objectives of this study are (a) to investigate the fermentability of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes by a probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F2, (b) to determine the effect of the cladodes on the beneficial effects of the probiotic strain, and (c) to examine the influence of the plant age, sterilization method and the concentration on the observed effects. For this, nine concentrations of either young (3-6 months old) or aged (>1-year-old) cladodes were tested. Firstly, the cladodes were examined on their physicochemical characteristics. Then, their effect on bacterial growth, surface properties and adhesion, antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities and antioxidant and cholesterol lowering potentials were investigated. The results showed an enhancement in growth and strengthening of the probiotic strain performances (higher antibacterial, adhesion, anti-biofilm, antioxidant and cholesterol lowering activities). The effects of the powder were recorded in age-, sterilization method and concentration - dependent manners. In general, most pronounced effects were observed with young cladodes, in filtered macerates and at high concentrations. Nevertheless, opposite observation was noted for the antioxidant potential, which was better in the presence of aged cladodes. In whole the results gathered in this work showed a synergistic effect between the probiotic strain and the O. ficus-indica cladodes macerate.