PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PRICKLY PEAR (opuntia ssp) OF THE CACTUS AT DIFFERENT

STAGES OF ITS GROWTH.

MPEEKA GODFREY

2020/BS/179/PS

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS LEADING TO THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

WITH EDUCATION OF MBARARA UNIVERSITY

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

SUPERVISOR

MR. PAUL MUKASA

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this research report is my own work and has never been submitted to any
institution of learning leading to any academic award.

Signature date

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APPROVAL

This research report has been submitted for examination with my approval as the university supervisor.

Signature date
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MR PAUL MUKASA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Opuntia spp, commonly known as prickly pear cacti, are a group of succulent
plants belonging to the Cactaceae family. They are known for their distinctive
paddle-shaped stems, which are covered in spines or glochids.These plants are
renowned for their unique characteristics, including their ability to thrive in arid
and semiarid regions worldwide. Apart from their adaptability, Opuntia spp. have
gained considerable attention due to their rich chemical composition and diverse
therapeutic properties.

Opuntia species (spp.) exhibit a lot of beneficial properties and high

biotechnological potential. They have been used for centuries as food
resources and in folk medicine for the treatment of some chronic
diseases. Some species such as O. ficus-indica are cultivated for
economical and medicinal purposes in some parts of the world.
Though differences in the phytochemical composition exist between
domesticated and wild Opuntia spp.

The presence of antioxidants (flavonoids, ascorbate), pigments

(carotenoids, betalains such as indicaxanthin), or phenolic acids has
been reported in all Opuntia products, including seeds, roots, pears,
cladodes, or juice. Phytochemical analysis of Opuntia spp. involves the
extraction, isolation, and identification of various secondary
metabolites, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids,
terpenoids, betalains, and polysaccharides.
These compounds have demonstrated numerous biological activities,
such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral,
antidiabetic, and anticancer effects, among others. Therefore, the
comprehensive analysis of the phytochemical composition of Opuntia
spp. holds great potential for developing natural alternatives to
 synthetic drugs and addressing the growing demand for sustainable
and eco-friendly solutions.

Furthermore, the investigation of Opuntia spp. from different

geographical locations and species variations adds an additional layer
of complexity to the phytochemical analysis. Environmental factors,
such as climate, soil composition, and altitude, play a significant role
in shaping the chemical profile of these plants.

This study will document the phytochemical composition of the

selected opuntia spp particularly in kitebero katete Mbarara district
and compare their concentrations with the results from some studies
from different study areas.

1.2 problem statement

The opuntia spp, commonly known as prickly pear cactus, is a diverse group
of plants found in various regions around the world. These plants are known
for their unique morphological features, ecological adaptability, and potential
medicinal properties attributed to their phytochemical composition. Despite
their widespread occurrence and traditional use in folk medicine, there is a
lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the phytochemical analysis of
Opuntia spp.

The existing literature primarily covers a limited range of Opuntia species and
geographic regions, which restricts our understanding of the full spectrum of
phytochemicals present in different Opuntia spp particularly in kitebero katete
Mbarara,Uganda. This research aims to address these gaps by conducting a
thorough phytochemical analysis of Opuntia spp, encompassing a broad
range of species and geographical locations.

The identification and quantification of bioactive compounds present in

Opuntia spp can pave the way for potential applications in various fields,
including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Additionally,
exploring the variation in phytochemical composition across different plant
parts of Opuntia spp can help determine the most valuable sources for
targeted extraction and utilization of specific bioactive compounds.

By elucidating the phytochemical diversity within Opuntia spp, this research

will contribute to expanding our knowledge of the bioactive compounds
present in these plants, their potential health benefits, and their ecological
significance. Furthermore, the findings from this study can serve as a
foundation for future investigations, including the development of new drugs,
functional food products, and sustainable utilization strategies for Opuntia
spp.
Regenerate response