Cactaceae species are karyotypically well-known with x = 11 and chromosome number variation due mainly to polyploidization. However, both assumptions are based on descriptive observations without taking an evolutionary framework of Cactaceae into account. Aiming to confirm these hypotheses in an evolutionary context, we obtained chromosome numbers for 20 species of Cactoideae, performed an extensive review of chromosome number for the family, and analyzed these data using a phylogenetic approach. The karyotypes presented here were characterized by CMA/DAPI banding, and for six species 5S and 45S rDNA sites were located. Our data, along with a survey of the literature, reinforce the long-standing hypothesis of a x = 11 as the base chromosome number for Cactaceae. They also reinforce the relevance of polyploidy in karyotype evolution of cacti, although polyploidy was important just after the diversification of subfamilies Maihuenioideae and Pereskioideae. Despite the homogeneous chromosome complements observed among cacti, chromosome banding and FISH techniques revealed informative characteristics, allowing the identification of chromosome synapomorphies, such as proximal CMA⁺ bands in Melocactus and proximal 5S rDNA in Pilosocereus, indicating the taxonomic potential of chromosome characterization in cacti.

This study aimed to assess the effects of convective drying at different temperatures (50, 60, and 70 °C) on the technological and chemical properties of Pereskia sp. leaf powders and to identify the most accurate mathematical model for describing their drying kinetics. Drying kinetics were modeled using four mathematical models: Henderson and Pabis, Lewis, Logarithmic, and Page. The Page and Logarithmic models provided the best fit for the drying kinetics of both species, with high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.98) and low MSE and χ² values, indicating their suitability for describing the drying behavior of Pereskia leaves. Enthalpy and entropy decreased with increasing temperature, while Gibbs free energy increased, and effective diffusivity was not affected by temperature. These changes directly affected the powders’ color, density, compressibility, wettability, water activity, chlorophyll, and bioactive components, including carotenoids, proteins, and phenolics. Notably, P. grandifolia powders retained higher levels of ash, protein, and lipids, indicating greater nutritional value, while P. aculeata powders exhibited higher solubility and lower water activity, suggesting superior technological properties for industrial applications. The findings highlight the potential of Pereskia species as functional ingredients in food products, with implications for optimizing drying processes to enhance both nutritional and industrial value.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of administering mangaba powder on liver function and somatic, oxidative and lipid metabolism parameters in rats fed a high-fat diet. Prepared mangaba powder has important amounts of phenolic compounds, vitamin C, dietary fiber and oligosaccharides. A total of 32 adult Wistar rats were initially randomized into two groups for the biological assay: normal-fat (NF, n = 16) and high-fat (HF, n = 16) diets for 21 days. These rats were subsequently subdivided into four groups: NF (n = 8), HF (n = 8), normal-fat diet with mangaba powder administration (NFMG, n = 8) and high-fat diet with mangaba powder administration (HFMG, n = 8). The treatment with mangaba powder (400 mg/kg) lasted an additional 28 days. Compared to the HF rats, the HFMG rats showed an 8% reduction in the body mass index. Treatment with mangaba reduced the serum cholesterol by 18%, as well as the hepatic deposition of triacylglycerides by 26% and cholesterol by 25%, in addition to increasing bile acid synthesis by 77% in this organ. Mangaba powder consumption attenuated the degree of hepatic steatosis, reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the serum and hepatic antioxidant capacity in HFMG rats. These results show that the consumption of mangaba powder had lipid-lowering, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects, especially in HFMG rats, which may be associated with an additive and synergistic action between the bioactive compounds present in the product.