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

Chicozapote is a fruit endemic to Mexico, little known and consumed. This fruit has a high content of bioactive compounds that could be used to improve the nutraceutical value of other foods. However, chicozapote fruit has a short shelf life. We therefore decided to use the drying process as a conservation technique to extend its shelf life, and at the same time produce a functional flour with high nutraceutical properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the drying process on the techno-functional and nutraceutical properties of an optimized processed chicozapote flour (OPCF) using a rotatable central composite design of response surface. The results obtained in this study indicate that the best combination of drying process variables to obtain OPCF, with better values for Oil Absorption Index, Water Absorption and Solubility Index, Antioxidant Activity, Total Anthocyanins, and Total Phenolics, were observed at a drying temperature and time of 74.1°C and 12 h, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that the optimization of the drying process generated beneficial effects on the functional chicozapote flour.

Applying high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) to plant proteins improves the functionality. Then, this research examined the impact of (HIU) at different power levels (600, 840, and 1080 W) and durations (10, 15, and 20 min) on the amino acid composition, hydrosolubility, foaming, emulsification, and antioxidant capacity of Coccoloba uvifera seed proteins (CUSPs). Compared with the control (untreated protein), CUSPs subjected to HIU presented increased levels of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, glycine, and serine. The hydrosolubility of samples treated with HIU significantly improved, ranging from 79.90 to 87.53%. Treatment with HIU at 600 W for 10 min enhanced the foaming properties, while exposing CUSP to HIU at 600 and 1080 W for 15 min improved the emulsifying properties. Compared with the control (52.12 ± 1.85%), the 840 W treatment for 15 min enhanced the antioxidant properties (96.82 ± 0.16%). The application of HIUs in CUSP enhanced the functionality. However, the degree of improvement depends on the HIU level and the treatment duration. This study demonstrated the feasibility of employing HIU to increase the functional attributes of plant proteins for potential utilisation in food products.

Because sweet sorghum has great potential for the renewable energy production (bioethanol). The present study was designed, whose objective was: to determine the agronomic characteristics and stability in bioethanol production; of seven genotypes of sweet sorghum, in nine environments in northeastern Mexico. The evaluation was carried out during the years 2013 to 2017: in five environments in Estación Cuauhtémoc, Tamps, and four environments in Marín, N.L. The genotypes were: Dulcina, Keller, Urja and RB-Cañero (commercial varieties); (SBB-25 x Keller) 17-1-2-1 and (SBB-25 x Keller) 31-2-1-2 (experimental varieties) and Potrillo (commercial hybrid). A randomized complete block experimental design with three repetitions was used. To estimate the stability parameters, the GGE biplot model was used, where 85.93% of the total variability was explained. The agronomic characteristics of the materials were acceptable, except RB-Cañero; which obtained the lowest value (P ≤ 0.05) of sugar (9.81 °Brix). The most stable genotypes with the highest yield were: Keller (2935 l ha-1); followed by (SBB-25 x Keller) 31-2-1-2 (2521 l ha-1), and Urja (3214 l ha-1); where Keller was earlier in flowering (77 DF). It was indicated that the best variety was Keller, due to its stability bioethanol production, and earliness.

Agave salmiana is a maguey endemic to Mexico, its main product is pulque, a fermented mead. When the mead is exhausted, the maguey leaves are used as cattle feed. The objective was to prepare and evaluate extracts of maguey leaves, for which hot water and three stages of leaves were used, unscraped (SR), scraped (RM) and completely scraped (RC). Extracts were quantified for phenolic compounds content, ascorbic acid, antioxidant capacity (DPPH) and chelating activity, during their preparation and up to 8 months of storage. The phenolic compounds content (2913.33±277.9 mg GA/L), ascorbic acid (758.02±56.57 mg AA/L) and antioxidant capacity (930.7±44.09 µmol TE/L) increased during the elaboration of extracts. A 12.6-16.4% of dietary fiber was quantified in extracts. In addition, phenolic compounds (kaempferol and quercetin) were identified in the 3 extracts produced. During storage, phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity increased at the end of the eighth month in RM and RC extracts. It is concluded that the leaves of the maguey Agave salmiana can be used to obtain aqueous extracts rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity and dietary fiber, substances involved in the treatment and prevention of diseases.

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is the most important pest in the Mexican lemon crop in Michoacán, and its control is based on the use of insecticides; however, nowadays, thrips populations are constant in the orchards. To understand how climatic conditions influence the population dynamics of the pest and its natural enemies, the population density of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and its natural enemies was correlated with temperature (minimum, medium and maximum) and precipitation for four years. A positive correlation was found between the population density of F. occidentalis with mean and maximum temperature, and a positive correlation between the population density of natural enemies with precipitation and minimum temperature. These results highlight the impact of environmental factors on the regulation of thrips populations and beneficial organisms. Based on our results, there will be a greater increase in thrips populations and a decrease in beneficial insect populations in the Apatzingán Valley citrus growing area. It is necessary to change the current phytosanitary management for an integrated management that strengthens the role of natural enemies in pest control.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a Gram negative bacterium of significant clinical relevance, responsible for severe nosocomial infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Its ability to acquire iron is crucial for its pathogenicity. In this research, we aimed to identify key membrane proteins involved in heme uptake as potential therapeutic targets. To achieve this, we conducted an in silico analysis, evaluating 47 potential membrane proteins using Expasy BLAST. We identified 7 candidate membrane proteins that contain the conserved FRAP and NPNL motifs, which are essential for heme binding. Additionally, we analysed the presence of FurBox sequences in the promoter regions to assess their regulation by iron. Our findings demonstrate that the identified membrane proteins possess the necessary motifs to facilitate their interaction with the heme group. Moreover, the presence of FurBox sequences suggests that these proteins are regulated by iron. In conclusion, these proteins represent promising therapeutic targets. Inhibiting them could reduce the virulence of P. aeruginosa by limiting iron up take and biofilm formation, thereby laying the groundwork for future studies on inhibitors targeting these proteins.

SARS-CoV-2 has affected millions of people around the world and resulted in millions of hospitalizations, where it represents a potential source of nosocomial infections for medical staff and patients and the spread of the virus. This study focused on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus in healthcare settings, including intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit and COVID-19 care unit. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 was present in surface samples from the COVID-19 care unit, which detected the presence of the Delta variant. Furthermore, results showed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus on hospital surfaces. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 and nosocomial bacteria highlights the importance of constant microbiological monitoring to prevent co-infections and the occurrence of nosocomial infections during hospitalization.

Bovine neosporosis negatively affects reproductive outcomes and has negative economic impacts. The objective was to study neosporosis prevalence in cows and bulls, and sperm quality in bulls positive for N. caninum, in the municipalities of Ometepec and Cuajinicuilapa in the Costa Chica region of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. At 38 farms, samples were collected from 300 cows and 100 bulls of reproductive age. Blood samples (10 mL) were taken from the coccygeal vein. These were centrifuged (3500 rpm 15 min-1) to separate the plasma, which was stored in 1.5 mL Eppendorf tubes at -20 °C until analysis. Neospora caninum antibodies were identified with an ID Screen® Neospora caninum Competition kit for ELISA. Evaluated sperm variables were individual motility, concentration and morphology. Of the 286 samples from cows, 50 were positive for N. caninum (17.4% prevalence). Of the 92 samples evaluated from bulls, eight were positive (8.7% prevalence), the general prevalence was 15.34%. Sperm concentration was lower in bulls positive for N. caninum. In the sampled population, neosporosis affects sperm quality in infected bulls, and is more prevalent in cows than in bulls.

Among the most harmful contaminants to the environment and human health are various types of pesticides widely used in agriculture, which exhibit genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Bioremediation emerges as a promising solution to mitigate these adverse effects. In this systematic review and scientometric analysis, the PRISMA model (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was employed to identify the bacterial species most commonly used in the bioremediation of water bodies contaminated with pesticides. SCOPUS database and tools such as R Studio and VOSviewer were used for the analysis. The results reveal that organophosphate pesticides, particularly chlorpyrifos are the most commonly studied for microbial degradation, mainly with bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Bacillus. Furthermore, the scientometric analysis highlights the high scientific output from countries like China, Denmark, and Egypt, providing a comprehensive overview of key contributions and collaborations in this field. Additionally, the analysis identified leading researchers, the most impactful scientific communities, and the leading research centers, creating a detailed map of contributions and international collaborations in this critical area of biotechnology.

Huanglongbing is caused by the bacterium Candidatus liberibacter that causes citrus losses worldwide. The objective was to synthesize silver nanoparticles for the control of HLB in citrus. These nanoparticles were used on HLB diseased Persian lemon plants. A total of six treatments were carried out: 1) T1: Control; 2) T2: Hydrogen peroxide; 3) T3: Silver nanoparticles; 4) T4: Nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide; 5) T5: Nanoparticles, hydrogen peroxide and organic fertilization; and 6) T6: Nanoparticles, hydrogen peroxide and chemical fertilization. The results indicated that the treatments (T5 and T6) including nanoparticles showed a better effect than the rest of the treatments. The plants treated with nanoparticles showed the appearance of new shoots, decreased yellowing of the leaves, and even the midrib of the leaves did not show thickening. The evaluation of this type of NpAg + H2O2 and fertilization showed promising results for the control of HLB. However, it will be important to evaluate the best treatment in a larger citrus crop and to demonstrate in future studies through molecular tests that the approach proposed here serves to control HLB, as was shown with the presumptive test used.