Terpenoids in Young Cladodes of Wild, Semi-Domesticated, and Domesticated Prickly Pear Cactus.

In the genus Opuntia, domestication has led to marked changes in young cladodes, including alterations in morphology, physiology, and soluble fiber content. However, information on how domestication-related categories influence the composition and abundance of terpenoids in young cladodes remains limited. This study aimed to extract, identify, and quantify terpenoid compounds in young cladodes from nine Opuntia variants distributed along a domestication gradient. Cladodes measuring 17.5 ± 2.5 cm in length from five species were analyzed. Organic compounds were extracted from one gram of powdered cladode tissue using hexane, followed by homogenization, ultrasonication, and centrifugation. The filtrate was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography using terpenoid standards, and results were expressed as µg g⁻¹ dry matter (DM). A completely randomized design with three replicates was applied, and data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test (p < 0.05). Identified terpenoids included oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, α-amyrin, linalool, and β -sitosterol, while carnosol (limit of detection [LOD] = 0.235 µg mL⁻¹) and stigmasterol (LOD = 1.243 µg mL⁻¹) were not detected. Intervarietal differences were observed, with O. megacantha var. Amarillo Plátano showing the lowest concentration (1.7% of that in Atlixco) of terpenoids. Intraspecific variation was also notable, with Rubí Reyna containing up to thirteen times more terpenoids than Amarillo Plátano. Differences in specific compounds were observed among domestication categories, with α-amyrin being more abundant in domesticated variants and linalool detected exclusively in wild species. These results highlight compound-specific patterns that may be related to ecological functions and suggest potential implications for the nutritional and functional value of young Opuntia cladodes as plant foods.