Underutilized plants of the Cactaceae family: Nutritional aspects and technological applications

•Cactus species are emerging food sources for human and animal nutrition.•They are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals with bioactive properties.•Have potential for applications in the most diverse technological domains.•Their application in food products improves nutritional and technological aspects. This review examines the nutritional and functional aspects of some representatives of the Cactaceae family, as well as its technological potential in the most diverse industrial fields. The studied species are good sources of nutrients and phytochemicals of biological interest, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, betalains, phytosterols, tocopherols, etc. They also have shown great potential in preventing some diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, and others. As to technological applications, the Cactaceae family can be explored in the production of food (e.g., cakes, yogurts, bread, ice cream, and juices), as natural dyes, sources of pectins, water treatment and in animal feed. In addition, they have great potential for many technological domains, including food chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, and many others.