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

  Herein we present the state of the art regarding the study of nanomaterials devoted to drug delivery and detection systems. In view of the important developments on the design and synthesis of different nanomaterials, in the last decades these systems have been employed in biomedical applications, having a significant impact in this field. Specifically, the study of cage-like nanostructures formed by 24 atoms (or more) has attracted the attention of several research groups, since these materials present outstanding physicochemical properties, among other features. These systems have been repeatedly proposed as effective nanomaterials in applications devoted to the detection and delivery of a wide range of drugs. The review is focused on the most relevant theoretical findings obtained through computational methodologies, specifically by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The study of this type of nanomaterials through DFT computational methods has been a successful strategy, since the approach has impacted positively in a better design and evaluation of several materials’ properties. The above has guided the experimental synthesis of these nanomaterials to be used over real biological systems.

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have intrinsic properties that confer biocompatibility, high chemical-thermal stability, and a large surface area. This last allows it to anchor many molecules to its surface, in which nucleotides, proteins, and a diversity of chemical compounds with potential use in agriculture have been included. In this sense, this work describes fundamental aspects of SiNPs and presents a compilation of the latest works related to the use of SiNPs in agriculture. Finally, an overview of the status and the scientific resources related to nanotechnological innovation focused on the agricultural sector in Mexico is placed into perspective.

Molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) are currently the most widely used theories in computational materials science. Both have different scopes and applications, but they converge in certain areas. The present work makes a comparison and contrast between the accuracy of both theories to model the infrared spectrum of a simple but representative organic molecule: crotonaldehyde. An analysis of the energies, bond distances, and vibrational frequencies and intensities is carried out to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each theory in this calculation frame.

In this work, a nanomaterial was developed based on a structure of double laminar hydroxide DLH (ZnAl ) impregnated with organic molecules of thymol; the fungistatic effect was studied in vitro and in vivo against two phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Botrytis cinerea causing diseases in orchards such as anthracnose and gray mold. The synthesis of this nanomaterial was carried out by the method of reconstruction of the mixed oxide ZnAl-(O) through a combustion; the physicochemical characterization of the material was carried out by X-ray diffraction XRD, thermogravimetric analysis TGA, infrared spectroscopy by Fourier transforms FTIR and scanning electron microscopy SEM. A conservation analysis of the organic molecule thymol was carried out in the presence of the phytopathogenic fungus B. cinerea and without the biochemical action of this, by means of high efficacy liquid chromatography HPLC. Concluding that the hybrid nanomaterial synthesized DLH-T can be a great alternative to mitigate agricultural problems derived from phytopathogenic fungi without damaging the environment and avoiding sanitary problems; this by the protection that DLH provides to thymol thus delaying its decomposition and making it much more manageable.

Nanotechnology is considered the industrial revolution of the 21st century, for this reason obtaining and applying nanoparticles (NPs) is of vital interest to many areas of science and industry. The use of NPs-Fe3O4 obtained by green synthesis extends from cosmetics, medicine, environmental remediation, electrical and electronics, due to their thermal, optical and magnetic characteristics, not to mention low production cost. In this review, the factors with the greatest effect during the synthesis of NPs-Fe3O4 were analyzed, such as pH, temperature, time, the amount of metal precursors and the concentration of secondary metabolites; variables that arise directly from the size, shape and morphology of NPs- NPs- Fe3O4.

Este número de Mundo Nano reúne investigaciones computacionales de modelado de nanomateriales y estudios de interés en NyN, que impulsan la innovación y el avance científico en áreas como medicina, electrónica, remediación ambiental y energía, proveyendo una panorámica de las investigaciones que se realizan actualmente en México en este campo de estudio.

This work addresses the micro and nanoplastics (MP and NP, respectively) on the American coasts of the Pacific Ocean from the perspective of the Micro & Nano Allpa Pacha Network. This network is made up of scientists from Chile, Perú, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and México, who, concerned about the impact on the environment and its repercussions on health, decided to establish international scientific collaborations for the geolocation, monitoring, and characterization of MP and NP present on the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in the American continent. It is expected to provide data based on harmonized scientific evidence, which will impact the teaching and planning of control and regulation measures for these pollutants in our countries. This work includes some aspects of polymers and plastics, definitions of MP’s and NP’s and their various impacts, the problem of taking samples, adequate characterization, among others. One of the conclusions determined that are many characteristics of NP’s and MP’s without investigating, such as interaction with other chemical products, the impact of morphology on bioavailability, formation of adhesions and their release during their contact with environmental compartments, the dependence of its composition with its behavior and destiny, among others. Likewise, it was determined that any contribution to mitigating the problem of these materials must include awareness, prevention, and reduction through a comprehensive approach to education and training and considering all actors in society responsible for the problem generated under a scientific evidence approach. Finally, it was determined that the issue is still in its initial phase, and the information is repetitive and self-referenced.

Este número contiene contribuciones donde se observa la utilización de diferentes enfoques teórico-prácticos para entender el comportamiento de diversos procesos y fenómenos que emplean materiales nanoestructurados.

La nanotecnología agrícola y ambiental tiene cientos de aplicaciones para solucionar problemas que aquejan a la sociedad día con día. No obstante, los países de América Latina han participado relativamente poco en estos avances tecnológicos, al compararlos con sus contrapartes de América del Norte, Europa o Asia. Dado lo anterior, es importante destacar que países como México, Chile y Brasil tienen avances nanotecnológicos significativos y han logrado la formación de grupos de especialistas consolidados, a pesar de las limitaciones económicas y de acceso a equipo científico que aqueja a estas naciones.  En consecuencia y con base en las múltiples aplicaciones potenciales, algunas ya en comercialización, es necesario que el Estado, la industria y la comunidad científica fortalezcan e impulsen la innovación, el equipamiento y la formación de recursos humanos, así como una adecuada inversión en nanotecnología agrícola y ambiental. Asimismo, se deben considerar aspectos de normalización y regulación, tanto como estudios in silico e in vivo (en laboratorio, invernadero y campo) que valoren y evidencien los efectos nulos, secundarios o tóxicos de los nanomateriales sobre los organismos vivos y los ecosistemas.

El presente número de Mundo Nano. Revista Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nanotecnología está dedicado a un tema de suma relevancia por la importancia que reviste, para la sociedad actual, lo relacionado con la nanotecnología agrícola y ambiental. Los editores invitados sitúan el tema en el contexto de los objetivos del desarrollo sostenible de la ONU, al describir los aportes, pero también los riesgos, del uso de las nanociencias y la nanotecnología en este importante tema de investigación y desarrollo. Proporcionan, además, diversos ejemplos del uso de nanomateriales en los sectores agrícola y ambiental, y concluyen reflexionando sobre la participación de América Latina en esta materia.