Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Phytophthora capsici is an oomycete that causes various symptoms, such as root, neck, stem, fruit rot, and leaf blight, in different plant species, including the genus Capsicum. One of the tools to counteract this biotic problem, which may be more profitable and respectful to the environment in the long term, is using biocontrollers such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces (bacteria), and Trichoderma (fungus). It seems that each of these microorganisms has different mechanisms that allow them to inhibit and reduce the growth of P. capsici, negatively affecting the development of sporangia, germination and motility of zoospores, and expansion of germ tube. Although this direct biocontrol action on the phytopathogen correlates with the reduction of symptoms in Capsicum plants or other plant species, this would also involve the activation of defense responses in plants against P. capsici induced by microorganisms. The activity of several enzymes related to the isoflavonoid pathways and reactive oxygen species, as well as the expression of different genes that encode proteins related to pathogenesis and other proteins that can activate the jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, or ethylene signaling pathways. Despite the few existing works related to the biochemical and molecular interaction of Capsicum–P. capsici–biocontroller, in this review, we outlined and elucidated the possible effects and metabolic pathways related to this tripartite pathosystem.

The organic management of Theobroma cacao in agroforestry systems is a viable alternative, which is being applied in the Alborada Estate under the name of Mendis Organic Management (MOM) in honor of the researcher and owner of the experimental area. The MOM technology integrates a set of techniques according to the physiological cycle of the plant such as drastic annual pruning, application of compost, foliar biofertilizer, and the use of a variety of cocoa with high planting density. Therefore, the research evaluated the effect of MOM management on soil quality with cocoa plantations (varieties CCN-51 and CMP-15), under agroforestry system developed in the Alborada farm, Leoncio Prado province, Huanuco, Peru. A completely randomized design (CRD) was carried out, the treatments were cocoa areas: CCN-51 of 2x2 m and 10 years of installation (MOM1), CMP-15 of 2x2 m and 4 years (MOM2), CMP-15 of 2x1 m and 5 years (MOM3), CMP-15 of 3x2 m and 13 years (MOM4). Soil physical and chemical indicators were evaluated. All indicators showed significant differences between treatments, the principal component analysis (PCA) considered relevant the sand fraction, clay, OM, N, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and CEC, the modeling shows a negative impact in MOM2 and significantly positive in MOM4, regardless of the variety and planting density, observing significant increases for pH, OM, N, P, Ca2+, Ma2+ and CEC. The work shows the great potential of MOM management as a technological alternative to improve soil quality in cocoa plantations under agroforestry systems.

Meloidogyne incognita root-knot nematode is one of the main causes of tomato root damage and consequently crop production losses. Thus, in in vitro conditions, the number of nematodes hatched eggs (%) at 4 and 6 days and nematode mortality (J2 stage) at 8, 18, and 24 h, were evaluated in Petri dishes containing the candidate rhizobacteria Enterobacter asburiae (BA4-19 and PM3-14), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (BM2-12), Klebsiella variicola (BO3-4) and Serratia marcescens (PM3-8). The well-known Pseudomonas protegens (CHA0) and P. veronii (R4) were used as controls. In greenhouse conditions, plant height, root weight, and symptoms, as well as gall and nematode numbers, were determined in tomato plants infected by M. incognita and treated with the seven rhizobacteria. In addition, all variables were correlated using Pearson's analysis. In general, a significant correlation was observed among the variables of both experiments, showing the antagonistic capacity of the strains against nematode. It seems, that PM3-8 and PM3-14 strains reduce hatching, and cause mortality of nematodes J2 if compared with CHA0 and R4 strains. Likewise, tomato treated with BM2-12 strain shows a higher height and root weight, as well as a smaller number of galls and nematodes in their roots. This study provides evidence that PM3-8 and PM3-14 strains reduce the M. incognita egg hatching, and that the BM2-12 strain can be a plant growth-promoter potential of tomato plants.

3D bioprinters present techniques that have various applications in the food industry. For this reason, this work aims to compile and review various research works focused on the utilities and advantages of this type of machinery. Where we first mention the basis of these bioprinting techniques and then proceed to highlight the bioethical issues that surround their application in the food industry, analyze the current advantages and disadvantages, the user that has been given in the production of food for astronauts, and also mention some of the research that has been taking place in Latin America and the world. The greatest advantage of 3D bioprinting of food is the speed of production compared to traditional manufacturing methods, allowing one to obtain food with various geometric shapes; it allows control of the nutritional value, and the texture of the product, reduces environmental pollution and has the advantage of being able to take advantage of the greater performance of the materials required for production. Additionally, this technology is considered an alternative production technique that will be used to solve the problem of feeding in places of scarce resources such as space and areas not suitable for animal husbandry.

Asparagus cultivation is highly profitable and is appreciated in international gourmet cuisine. In Mexico, the production of this vegetable is mainly for export, in the state of Veracruz it has been recently introduced. The objective of the research was to characterize by morphology, molecular techniques and pathogenicity test the Fusarium species isolated from symptomatic tissues of asparagus shoot. A directed sampling was carried out on plants that showed rot, wilting and dark brown spots. Fungal isolates were obtained from diseased shoots, which were disinfected and seeded on potato dextrose agar. Isolates were purified in monosporic cultures by hyphal tip. Four species of Fusarium were identified by taxonomic morphology, in a selective carnation leaf agar medium, then pathogenicity tests were carried out, complying with Koch's postulates. Next, the strains that were pathogenic were characterized by molecular techniques, and their identity as Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium proliferatum was confirmed. The information obtained allows the implementation of appropriate management strategies for pathogenic species and thereby avoids economic losses in the short, medium, and long term in the asparagus crop.

Vinegar products have gained popularity as an all-natural antimicrobial agent in recent years. In the present study, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 29 Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from ready-to-eat foods was detected against natural and commercial antimicrobial agents, vinegar produced from different raw materials, lemon juice, sodium bicarbonate, and hydrogen peroxide, by using the disc diffusion method. Different concentrations of antimicrobial agents were tested against varying cell densities of the L. monocytogenes strain (105, 106, and 107 CFU/mL). The inhibition zone diameter was measured to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of antimicrobial agents on L. monocytogenes strains. The inhibition zone diameters of L. monocytogenes strains were 6.0–8.8 mm and 6.0–11.3 mm against traditional and commercial vinegar types, respectively. The commercial vinegar types showed higher antimicrobial efficacy than the conventional ones. The inhibition zone diameters of L. monocytogenes strains against carbonate, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide were 6.0, 6.0–9.0, and 33.9–51.9 mm, respectively. The antimicrobial efficacy of hydrogen peroxide was the highest among the tested antimicrobial agents. This study showed that vinegar products have potential to be utilized as natural antimicrobials on food-borne pathogens like L. monocytogenes.

Essential oils (EOs) have turned a promising alternative to using antibiotics in poultry production due to their antimicrobial properties. EOs could effectively combat pathogenic bacteria affecting poultry. Particularly, Citrus EOs, a by-product of citrus processing industries, could be a feasible alternative to this end due to their vast availability in the global market. Enterococci are associated with intestinal and extra-intestinal infections in poultry, which can increase poultry mortality. On the other hand, Lactobacilli are beneficial bacteria inhabiting the poultry gut and have health-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a commercial citrus EO, Orange oil phase essence (OOPE), on Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus as well as to determine OOPE chemical composition. Results showed that OOPE inhibited E. faecalis and L. rhamnosus at 14.8 mg/mL. However, the evaluation of OOPE effects on the growth kinetics parameters of both bacteria reveled that OOPE caused higher disturbances on the growth kinetics of E. faecalis than L. rhamnosus. OOPE significantly reduced the maximal culture density (A) and growth rate (µmax) and extended the lag phase duration (λ) of E. faecalis in a dose-dependent manner, while OOPE slightly extended λ and affected µmax of L. rhamnosus. OOPE at 3.70 mg/mL reduced A and µmax in ~87.34 and 90.2%, respectively, while increased λ 3.8 times of E. faecalis. OOPE at this concentration reduced µmax in 11.8% and extended λ 1.38 times of L. rhamnosus. Therefore, OOPE had a selective antibacterial activity, presenting higher activity on E. faecalis. Despite, limonene was identified as the major compound (87.22%) of OOPE, minor compounds such as trans-carveol could be involved in conferring the selective antibacterial activity of OOPE.

The black amaranth (Amaranthus quitensis Kunth) is traditionally cultivated in the Ecuadorian highlands, where it has great social, cultural and food importance for the native population, and locally it is called ataco or sangorache. Currently, there are no data on the diversity and conservation status in which the ataco landraces are found. We have evaluated the phenotypic diversity of black amaranth landraces collected at two different times (1981-1986 and 2014-2015) in three representative Andean provinces for this crop (Imbabura, Tungurahua and Cañar). Thirty agro-morphological descriptors were used, 11 quantitative and 19 qualitative. Most of the quantitative traits showed high levels of variation, especially grain yield per plant. The qualitative traits showed less diversity, although the characters related to the plant pigmentation and the shape and attitude of the inflorescence were significantly discriminating between accessions from different provinces. Few significant differences were detected between both collects, so the farmers seem to be carrying out adequate on-farm conservation of the ataco germplasm. The agro-morphological information obtained in this study may be useful for enhancing the use of this plant genetic resource in future amaranth breeding programs, as well as for effectively managing the black amaranth collection from Germplasm Bank of the Ecuadorian National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP).

Beer is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages worldwide; however, with consumers more aware of food's environmental and nutritional benefits, there is a demand for more sustainable and value-added products. Andean pseudocereals (APS) are becoming a trend as gluten-free grains with excellent nutritional and nutraceutical value. Cultivated under the extreme climate conditions of the Peruvian Andes, APS seeds are an excellent source of starch, fiber, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids with antioxidant capacity that provide potential health benefits. This review is a compilation of the information and studies on the general characteristics and potential of the main APS as quinoa, amaranth, and cañihua for beer production. In addition, current evidence of the malting process in APS and its effects on beer's nutritional, functional, and sensory properties are also provided. Based on the research supporting the pseudocereals inclusion for the formulation of foods for celiac people, this review also looks at recent advances in applying APS to develop traditional and gluten-free (GF) beers. Finally, APS's economic, cultural, and social importance in the brewing industry is highlighted to promote the creation and innovation of fermentative products based on their bioactive compounds, thus achieving better commercial exploration of these ancestral grains.

Firstly, this study aimed to determine the effect of adding nisin (0, 250 and 500 IU mL-1) and oregano essential oil (OEO) (0, 0.025% and 0.05%), alone or in combination, on Staphylococcus aureus load in cow’s milk. Next, it was evaluated the sensory, physicochemical and microbiological quality of fresh cheese (FC) manufactured with milk added of nisin + OEO (C1) or nisin alone (C2) compared to a control cheese (C0, milk without the addition of nisin or OEO). Results showed that adding nisin effectively reduced the S. aureus count in milk in a similar manner to adding way the combination of nisin + OEO compared to the control. FC quality evaluation results revealed that C1 and C2 did not alter the physicochemical quality of FC (pH, fat and total solids content) during storage (0-8 days) compared to the control. Furthermore, C1 and C2 reduced in a similar manner aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae count in FC compared to the control during storage.  Sensory evaluation showed that consumers did not value FC added of nisin + OEO (C1) due to its intense aroma of oregano, rating it with the lowest global quality.