Opuntia gums and mucilage’s: metabolomic and structural characterization, properties, and applications in artwork
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
conferenceObject
Abstract
Plant gums and mucilage’s are bioorganic substances synthesized and/or exuded from various plants, generally from their stems, bark, roots, leaves and seeds, and produced in response to adverse conditions, such as extreme biotic and abiotic stress. Humans have used these substances since ancient times for different applications, such as adhesives, medicinal uses, food preservatives and artworks. However, the metabolic profile, chemical structure and properties of Opuntia’s gum and mucilage remain poorly explored; in addition, their application as pigment and dye binders for artwork has not studied despite its pre-Hispanic use. This work presents the characterization of gums, mucilage, and tissues of Opuntia sp. by HPLC-ESI(+/−)-HRMS, DART-MS (+/-), NMR, FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDS and UV-VIS. Gums from cladodes of O. ficus indica (wild), O. cochinera, and O. treptacantha;
and precipitated mucilage from cladodes of O. ficus indica (domestic), cuticle, and freeze-dried cladode tissue (without cuticle) were analyzed. The mineral and organic chemical composition was different between species and tissues. Opuntia’s gum and mucilage are composed of complex heteropolysaccharides, with minor components such as lipids, 4 principal minerals, and 104 bioactive compounds; also, they exhibit biological and antioxidant activity. Mockups were created to examine
the binding properties of Opuntia’s gum and mucilage compared to Arabic gum, used in watercolors. Sixteen organic and inorganic pigments were dispersed in the three binders (1:1 ratio) and applied to lime-based and protein-based substrates. Samples were analyzed using FORS colorimetry, FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, optical microscopy and SEM-EDS analysis to assess chromatic behavior and binder interactions for pictorial retouching on mural and canvas paintings.
Conference(s)
XXI SMB Plant Biology Congress & 4th ASPB Mexico Section Meeting