Ethnobotanical assessment of traditional uses and valorization of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in Western and Eastern Algeria

Authors

  • Djihene Abdallah Touati Department of biology, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology Health and Proteomics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Djillali Liabés University of Sidi-Bel-Abbés, 22000, Algeria.
  • Fatima Zohra El kadi Biology departement , Djillali Liabes university , Sidi Bel Abbes , Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9671-8505
  • Rania Soumia Zellit Department of biology, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology Health and Proteomics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Djillali Liabés University of Sidi-Bel-Abbés, 22000, Algeria.
  • Rokkaya Sami Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3162-9453
  • Asif Wali Faculty of Life Sciences, Karakoram International University, Diamer Campus, Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5136-4611

Abstract

Background: Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions and has traditionally been recognized for its medicinal, environmental, and socioeconomic value. The present study investigated and compared the traditional uses of OFI cladodes in two Algerian wilayas, Bordj Bou Arreridj (BBA) and Sidi Bel Abbes (SBA). The study aimed to document the knowledge held by local communities and identify differences in the ways cladodes are utilized between the two regions.

Methods: A comparative ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 995 informants (495 in BBA and 500 in SBA) using a standardized questionnaire. Ethnobotanical indices specifically, relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL), this research was supplemented with some statistical work, mainly the chi-square and correlations methods.

Results: Women represented the majority of respondents, while illiteracy was the predominant educational level. Therapeutic use was the principal application of cladodes, accounting for 52.8% of responses in BBA and 79.3% in SBA. Burns, arthritis, skin diseases were the most frequently treated conditions.  Cosmetic uses mainly involved skin hydration and hair care. Ethnobotanical indices indicated a higher Relative Frequency of Citation in SBA (RFC = 0.36), whereas the highest Use Value was recorded in SBA (UV = 793), reflecting a greater diversity of traditional uses.

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the richness of traditional knowledge associated with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes and confirm their importance in healthcare, cosmetic, and environmental practices. These results provide valuable baseline information for the conservation, sustainable management, and future valorization.

Keywords: Opuntia ficus-indica; ethnobotany; ethnopharmacology; traditional knowledge, Algeria.

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Published

04.11.2026

How to Cite

Abdallah Touati, D., El kadi, F. Z., Zellit, R. S., Sami, R., & Wali, A. (2026). Ethnobotanical assessment of traditional uses and valorization of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in Western and Eastern Algeria. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 36, 1–13. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/9247

Issue

Vol. 36 (2026)

Section

Research

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