# An Updated Review: _Opuntia focus indica_ (OFI) Chemistry and Its Diverse Applications
###### Abstract  
The beneficial nutrients and biologically active ingredients extracted from plants have received great attention in the prevention and treatment of several diseases, including hypercholesterolemic, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, edema, joint pain, weight control, eye vision problems, neuroprotective effects, and asthma. Highly active ingredients predominantly exist in fruit and cladodes, known as phytochemicals (rich contents of minerals, betalains, carbohydrates, vitamins, antioxidants, polyphenols, and taurine), which are renowned for their beneficial properties in relation to human health. Polyphenols are widely present in plants and have demonstrated pharmacological ability through their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant capacity, and the multi-role act of _Opuntia focus indica_ makes it suitable for current and future usage in cosmetics for moisturizing, skin improvement, and wound care, as healthful food for essential amino acids, as macro and micro elements for body growth, in building materials as an eco-friendly and sustainable material, as a bio-composite, and as an insulator. However, a more comprehensive understanding and extensive research on the diverse array of phytochemical properties of cactus pear are needed. This review therefore aims to gather and discuss the existing literature on the chemical composition and potential applications of cactus pear extracts, as well as highlight promising directions for future research on this valuable plant. Opuntia focus indica; antioxidants; carbohydrates; healthful food; biologically active ingredients; cosmetics; building materials +
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appealing as food because of its productivity in changing into dry matter; therefore, it gives edible energy. OFI species succulent pads act as a source of mineral water in dry areas for livestock across the globe and provide essential feed supply to fodder [6]. OFI crops are important food resources in forest-adjacent areas, especially during drought periods, supporting both humans and local mammals. These crops are highly valuable due to their abundance of antioxidants like ascorbic acid and flavonoids, which offer significant health benefits [7]. Due to being fleshy and sweet, OFI is a source of refreshment, jams, and juices. The fermented juice of OFI is used to produce C\({}_{2}\)H\({}_{5}\)OH [8], and many types of alcoholic compounds are also obtained from the _Opuntia_ plant [9]. Moreover, in the last decade, OFI derivatives have been investigated for application in packaging materials. Indeed, the incorporation of nano-emulsified bioactive compounds into gelatine films improves mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, tensile strength, and percentage elongation [10]. Usually, the cactus plant is considered a source of fruits and vegetables, a polymer for cosmetic and medicinal purposes, erosion control, and the bioremediation of wastewater, and as a coagulant, natural color, biofuel, and building material. However, its uses are often restricted to countries of origin [11]. The common names used for _Opuntia ficus indica_ (L.) _[PERSON]_ are nopal, spinless cacti, cactus-pear, tuna cactus, Indian Figure, and prickly pear [12; 13]. OFI crops are a major food resource during drought periods in areas near forests, where humans and local mammals rely on them for sustenance. Its consumption as food makes it a valuable source of pure antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid and flavonoids. The keywords _Opuntia ficus indica_ were applied to analyze literature in two familiar databases, which have shown the rising number of scientific articles on this subject in the most recent decade, as reported in Figure 2. The trend in the number of scientific articles related to OFI highlights the large and increasing interest in this topic.