The dual effectiveness of Opuntia ficus indica extracts for browning inhibition and microbial inactivation on fresh-cut apples was investigated. Prepared apple slices were treated with 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/mL Opuntia ficus indica extracts, packaged in polyethylene bags, and stored for 10 days at 4, $21^{circ}C$. Results indicate that Opuntia ficus indica extracts significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the browning reaction of fresh-cut apples. This treatment also reduced peroxidase activities. The populations of Staphylococcus aureus significantly decreased with increasing extract concentration (p < 0.05). In particular, S. aureus was reduced to non-detectable levels after 2 days in 100 mg/mL treatment at $4^{circ}C$ and $21^{circ}C$. Opuntia ficus indica extracts therefore have antibacterial and antibrowning effects. The results suggest that Opuntia ficus indica extracts could be useful as a natural food preservative.