Journal of BioProcess and Chemical Technology (JBCT)
La revista científica especializada JBCT (Journal of Bioprocess and Chemical Technology) de la Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila publica manuscritos de las áreas de ciencias químicas, biológicas, bioprocesos, tecnología de materiales, polímeros, nanociencias, alimentos e ingeniería bioquímica. Puedes enviar las siguientes contribuciones: revisiones bibliográficas, reseñas, artículos o notas de investigación. La revista cuenta con ISSN: 2683-3271 y está indexada en Latindex.
Efecto Inhibitorio de Películas de Quitosano y Papaína Activadas con Plasma en Streptococcus mutans
Chitosan is a natural polymer with great potential in various applications, has been widely used in different areas such as agriculture, to produce bactericides and fungicides, among others. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme, is commonly used for wound treatment, meat tenderizing, beer clarification, among other applications, it possesses medicinal properties and has generated significant interest in accelerating the healing process and its antimicrobial activity. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of chitosan and papain films activated with plasma on Streptococcus mutans. Chitosan-papain films were prepared using the casting method, incorporating chitosan and papain. The structural and thermal properties of the films were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, revealing interactions between chitosan and papain. An enzymatic activity assay confirmed the proteolytic function of papain. The antimicrobial efficacy of the films was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, showing resistance in all treatments with minimal inhibition zones (< 10 mm). Although the inhibition zones were small, the films inhibited bacterial growth directly where they were placed. The study concludes that chitosan-papain films exhibit some antimicrobial activity against S. mutans. However, further optimization is needed to enhance their efficacy.
D-alulosa, Un Alimento Funcional con Características Anticariogénicas: Revisión Bibliográfica
Dental caries is a prevalent chronic disease associated with the frequent consumption of fermentable sugars and bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. In response, functional foods and non-cariogenic sweeteners have gained relevance, with D-allulose standing out as a low-calorie monosaccharide with a taste like sucrose. It is not fermented by oral bacteria, thus not producing acids or promoting biopelícula formation, and additionally provides antioxidant and metabolic benefits. This review analyzes evidence from in vitro, animal, and human studies indicating that D-allulose inhibits bacterial growth, reduces oral acidity, and prevents dental demineralization. It compares favorably with sweeteners such as xylitol and sorbitol, showing no gastrointestinal side effects at normal doses and better sensory acceptance. The safety of D-allulose has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States and the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), as well as approved in China and Latin American countries. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) notes that gaps remain in genotoxicity data and long-term clinical trials. D-allulose emerges as a promising alternative for dental caries prevention and sugar replacement.
Coahuila Revista Científica de la Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila 50 Síntesis verde óxido de zinc (ZnO) utilizando extractos de Ephedra californica y su aplicación en la fotodegradación de colorantes
In this work, the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) using Ephedra californica extracts at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% w/v (weight/volume) is reported. The extracts act as reducing and stabilizing agents to evaluate their influence on ZnO formation. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy (UVVis). The FTIR spectrum showed a band centered at 440 cm-1, characteristic of the Zn-O bond, confirming the formation of ZnO. Likewise, the UV-Vis analysis revealed a decrease in the bandgap as the extract concentration increased. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated in the degradation of three model organic dyes, methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B, under UV radiation. The ZnO synthesized with 5% extract exhibited the highest efficiency in degrading methylene blue (99.63% in 180 min), while optimal results for the other dyes were obtained with intermediate extract concentrations. These results demonstrate the potential of green synthesis as an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative for producing ZnO with applications in wastewater treatment.
Propuesta para la Mejora De La Eficiencia del Proceso de Producción en un Obrador de Carnicería
This study analyzes the efficiency of meat production processes at the Mercado de Abastos branch of Obrador Fresnillo, located in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, México. Variations in production yields and a lack of uniformity in the handling of meat products were identified. A quantitative research approach was employed by measuring losses (waste) and assessing personnel efficiency to identify process improvement opportunities. Quality tools, such as the Pareto chart, were used to identify the leading causes of losses. Subsequently, a personnel assignment model was proposed to reduce waste and improve production yield. The implementation of this model aims to enhance the company's competitiveness, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. As a result, the findings highlight the need for special attention to training and to keeping personnel constantly informed about the specific work procedures applicable to them within the organization, along with strict control of key process variables. This research lays the foundation for a strategic direction on continuous improvement.
Efecto de la concentración del ligante citrato (C6H5O7 3–) en la adherencia de películas de CdS obtenidas por depósito en solución química sobre sustratos de vidrio utilizando el sistema CdCl2–Na3C6H5O7–NaOH–SC(NH2)2
The synthesis of cadmium sulfide films by chemical solution deposition produces toxic cadmium waste. Thus, it is important to decrease the concentration of cadmium salt used in the reaction. The problem is that a decrease in cadmium ions concentration results in films that do not adhere to the glass substrates that are free of “active” atoms. As a solution, a simple chemical formulation is presented here that employs a low concentration of cadmium ions but still permits adhesion to impurity-free glass substrates. The way to achieve it, and which is demonstrated in this work, is the modulation of the concentration of the rest of the reagents, particularly the ligand concentration (in this case, citrate), whose decrease allows the use of a lower concentration of cadmium salt, resulting in adherent films; the effect of decreasing the citrate concentration is to increase the concentration of available cadmium ions, which promotes the adhesion of the films, without adding more cadmium salt to the reaction solution. In this way, a systematic study of the effect of decreasing the citrate concentration until obtaining formulations that use the minimum ligand concentration that produces sufficiently thick and adherent cadmium sulfide films is presented below. To understand adhesion, the three factors that determine adhesion are explained in the introduction: substrate reactivity (surface sensitization), cadmium ions concentration, and temperature.
The Gompertz Model in the Modeling of Limited Growth Phenomena: Interdisciplinary Applications in Context
The Gompertz model is known for its extraordinary versatility in modeling phenomena that exhibit limited growth. This asymmetric sigmoid function describes processes that begin with slow growth, then enter an exponential acceleration phase, and subsequently decelerate as they approach an upper limit (carrying capacity, K). Originally proposed in 1825 to describe the law of human mortality, today the model finds rigorous applications in demography, biology, medicine, economics, biotechnology, and epidemiology. In the context of public health in Mexico, the Gompertz model has been crucial for forecasting and analyzing disease behavior. This work presents a comparative and descriptive analysis of the growth dynamics of three distinct phenomena using the Gompertz model: the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Mexico (1983-2020), the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico (accumulated cases, including analysis in Zacatecas), and the in vitro proliferation of HeLa cancer cells. In all cases studied, the Gompertzian model showed a satisfactory fit to the observed data (high determination coefficients R2), confirming its empirical utility for characterizing the growth rate and estimating the system's carrying capacity.
Señal Fisioeléctrica de semillas Lens culinaris en germinación con sustrato de hidrogel y agujas hipodérmicas como electrodos
Today, ensuring food security is a shared challenge among institutions and researchers, especially in the academic field. In this sense, experimentation in modern agriculture seeks new ways to increase the production of nutritious foods through sustainable cultivation techniques that sustainably produce healthy fruits, thereby reducing the harmful effects still inherent in traditional industrial agricultural production that negatively impact people and the environment. In this sense, the germination stage in seeds is crucial for plant development. On the one hand, it can enhance optimal conditions for the production of strong, vigorous, and resilient seedlings. On the other hand, it can compromise optimal physiological development or even lead to seed loss under genetic improvement conditions. From this perspective, some studies have developed methods that have yielded good results and are low-cost, such as the characterization of electrical signals associated with variables of physical effects generated in plants. This study aims to characterize the electrical signal of the phases of physical transformations in Lens culinaris seed samples during the germination stage. It attempts to identify the signal associated with the imbibition phase, and primarily with the emergence of the epigeal reticulum, by means of simultaneous real-time voltage sampling over time using an oscilloscope, remote visual and graphic tracking, and computational data processing to characterize the response corresponding to each phase in the seed samples. To obtain these data, it was necessary to use abundant seeds with high germination rates for short periods of time. A measurement system was also designed to process the data using affordable, low-cost electrodes (hypodermic needles). Preliminary results indicate that the seeds exhibit low electrical activity during the imbibition period, but this activity can be perceived through frequency analysis as a characteristic signal of this phase. Graphic peaks associated with key transformations such as the emergence of the reticulum are also observed. Therefore, it can be established that in the medium term, this study will contribute to a better understanding of how this electrical activity relates to the physiological changes and graphic signals that characterize each phase of seed germination, and in the long term, the effect these characteristics can have on other stages of the food production process through physioelectrical measurements.
Copyright (c) 2026 Design and implementation of a low-cost advanced orthotic biosuit
Design and implementation of a low-cost advanced orthotic biosuit
The new technological revolution emerged around 2011, bringing a new wave of technological advancements across broad fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing, to name a few. This industrial revolution also brought important changes to the field of medicine. Specifically, the objective of this work is to develop a preliminary prototype of a low-cost orthotic biosuit. To this end, an initial analysis is carried out during the development of the orthosis structure; this structure is focused on patients with acute traumatic injuries, chronic conditions, or those requiring joint support. This work aims to provide neurorehabilitation that improves these conditions. Science indicates that biomimicry imitates the patterns and strategies of nature; based on this, the goal was to create a tool capable of emulating the movement patterns of a gait. This work is based on advances in sensor technology, which enable robots to understand better and respond to their environment and perform a wider variety of tasks. Among the key results of this work was the finding that, compared to commercial exoskeletons and systems reported in the literature, the T.O.A. (advanced orthotic suit) prototype offers an affordable, modular solution, with a focus on integrating inexpensive materials and open technology. While its torque and precision are lower than those of advanced industrial devices, it meets the basic requirements for functional rehabilitation. Tests showed that latency and precision are within acceptable ranges for this type of application, positioning the T.O.A. as a viable alternative for budget-constrained environments.
Polyphenolic Treatment and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Mental illness is one of the world’s greatest afflictions as it affects nearly 60 million people around the world Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most prevalent forms of dementia that is registered, and its progression can never be reversed as it degenerates the neuronal system, making it impossible to recover. Treatments have been developed to slow down the progression of the disease, but they tend to be aggressive on the patient, very expensive, and can’t guarantee their efficiency, prevention is the main focal point in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, and polyphenolic compounds have shown their capacity to act as an anti-inflammatory compound to stop neuronal inflammation which is the main affliction on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s. This review will focus on the preventive effect of different polyphenolic compounds and how they can be a potential treatment for preventing and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's.
Bioactive Compounds and Biological Properties of Flourensia cernua: A Review
Tarbush Flourensia cernua is a perennial shrub from the Chihuahuan Desert of North America. The plant leaves are very resinous with a tarry odor and a bitter, astringent taste. The bioactive compounds of the resin function as biochemical defenses to repel harmful microorganisms and herbivorous animals, as there are no known pests, diseases, or animals that attack this plant. Some studies have shown that tarbush extracts have antifungal action under in vitro conditions in at least 10 fungi and two phytopathogenic bacteria of economic importance. The extracts also have shown cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines and anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activity. The insecticidal or repellent effect against termites Sitophilus oryzae, Phthorimaea operculella, and Brevicoryne brassicae has also been demonstrated. On the other hand, in vitro tests with microorganisms that attack humans have indicated that at least four bacteria are susceptible to extracts of F. cernua. Based on this information, the potential of this resinous shrub from arid areas of northern Mexico for the sustainable production of high-value products with less environmental impact is clear.
Increased Antioxidant Activity of Flourensia cernua by Fermentation with Kombucha
Flourensia cernua, known as tarbush, treats gastrointestinal problems due to its phenolic compound content. These compounds are antioxidant chemical structures found polymerized in plant tissues, requiring their hydrolysis through sustainable bioprocesses such as fermentation. Kombucha is a symbiotic culture of several bacteria and yeasts, which can produce enzymes to release tannins. The present study focused on increasing the antioxidant activity of F. cernua through a kombucha fermentation process for 2 weeks at room temperature. Obtained fermented and non-fermented aqueous infusions (control) to measure their chemical and antioxidant composition. Infusion of F. cernua fermented with kombucha significantly increased the total tannin content and antioxidant potential. Antioxidant activity attributed to flavanones, lignans, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids identified by HPLC-MS in fermented infusions of F. cernua. The results suggested that fermentation is a promising, safe, and straightforward bioprocess that could improve the biological properties of less-used edible plants such as F. cernua.
Impact of the Extraction Method on the Physicochemical, Rheological and Flocculating Properties of an Aloe vera Bioflocculant
Water pollution requires sustainable treatment alternatives. The use of Aloe vera bioflocculants to replace synthetic flocculants was evaluated. The raw material was collected from Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico; and the aloin was removed by immersion (water, 48 h). The gel was separated, cut, crushed and homogenized. Extraction by maceration was first carried out by immersion with water (S/L ratio 1:1, 24 h) and then with ethanol (96 %, S/L ratio 1:3, 24 h). While microwave extraction with ethanol (96 %, S/L ratio 1:3, 5min with 0.5 min pulses and 800 W ). The extracted bioflocculant was dried (45 °C, 6 h ) and grinded. The physicochemical characterization of the gel and bioflocculant was carried out considering moisture, total solids, °Brix, pH, reducing sugars, total carbohydrates, malic acid; the performance was done in terms of rheological properties (viscosity, consistency index and flow behavior) and turbidity reduction (NTU). The highest content of soluble solids, malic acid, ºBrix, reducing sugars and total carbohydrates was observed in the bioflocculant. The gel and bioflocculant showed a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior with the Otswald model (R2 > 0.99, and n <1) and the greatest reduction in turbidity was observed at pH 7.5 in both gel and bioflocculant (78.31 %). The above regardless of the extraction method, microwave extraction requires less time to obtain the biofloculant A. vera, but had no effect on its physicochemical, structural, rheological and flocculating properties, representing a sustainable and ecological alternative for replacing synthetic flocculants.
Potencial de los residuos de piña: Compuestos bioactivos y su importancia biológica en la salud humana
This document reviews the potential of pineapple waste as a source of bioactive compounds and their importance for human health. It highlights that the food industry generates large amounts of pineapple waste, such as peel, core, and crown, which contain carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes with beneficial effects. The most relevant bioactive compounds identified in the waste include polyphenols, tannins, and bromelain. These have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidepressant properties. Research emphasizes that these compounds can help prevent chronic diseases and have applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. In terms of extraction, various techniques have been developed, from conventional methods such as maceration and Soxhlet to emerging technologies such as ultrasound and microwaves. The need to optimize these processes for better recovery and utilization of active compounds is emphasized. Pineapple residues have been shown to be effective in reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting bacterial growth, and modulating inflammatory responses. Bromelain, in particular, has been studied for its effects against infections and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, pineapple extracts have been found to have antidepressant effects by influencing serotonin levels. In conclusion, the valorization of pineapple waste represents an opportunity for the development of functional products and natural therapies.
Edible Cacti and Their Fruits: A Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds for Human Health
This review examines the edible fruits of the cacti Stenocereus queretaroensis, Cereus repandus, Ferocactus pilosus, Eulychnia acida, Opuntia ficus-indica, Hylocereus undatus, Matyllucactus geometricans, and Carnegiea gigantea, appreciated both for their flavor and health benefits. These cacti are distributed mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas, especially in Mexico and South America. The consumption of these fruits has traditionally been part of the diet of local communities due to their nutritional and bioactive properties. Betalains stand out for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties among the bioactive compounds in these fruits. Betalains have demonstrated their efficacy in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation, which contributes to preventing chronic diseases. The potential of these cacti for the food and pharmaceutical industry is discussed, highlighting the importance of their conservation and sustainable use to ensure the sustainability of these cactus species and the preservation of their natural habitats. Overexploitation and agricultural expansion can endanger these plants, so promoting cultivation and harvesting practices that respect the ecological balance is important.
En el vasto mundo de la biotecnología y la química aplicada, la búsqueda de nuevos compuestos bioactivos con aplicaciones en la salud humana y procesos industriales sigue siendo una prioridad. Este número de nuestra revista se centra en la riqueza de los recursos naturales y su potencial para el desarrollo de tecnologías innovadoras que aprovechen sus beneficios. Desde los cactus comestibles y sus frutos, fuente de compuestos bioactivos prometedores para la salud, hasta el estudio de los biofloculantes derivados del Aloe vera, los artículos que presentamos abordan tanto el impacto de los métodos de extracción como la caracterización fisicoquímica de estas biomoléculas. También exploramos el valor biológico de los residuos de piña, una alternativa sustentable para la obtención de nutrientes esenciales y compuestos funcionales. Flourensia cernua, una especie vegetal con propiedades biológicas destacadas, protagoniza dos investigaciones que analizan su potencial bioactivo, ya sea mediante un enfoque tradicional o a través de procesos fermentativos innovadores con kombucha. Estos estudios reflejan el creciente interés por aprovechar las propiedades de los recursos naturales mediante bioprocesos eficientes. Así, este número de la revista invita a la comunidad científica y tecnológica a seguir explorando alternativas sostenibles y eficaces en la obtención de compuestos bioactivos con aplicaciones diversas. La intersección entre naturaleza y ciencia sigue demostrando que en ella se encuentran las claves para el desarrollo de productos y procesos de gran impacto. Esperamos que estas investigaciones estimulen el diálogo y la generación de nuevas ideas dentro del ámbito de la biotecnología y la química aplicada. ¡Bienvenidos a esta edición dedicada a la innovación en bioprocesos! Dra. N. Paola Meléndez Rentería Editora en Jefe de JBCT
Bioactive Packaging as a Sustainable Solution For Food Preservation: A Review
Conventional packaging is a leader in the food industry but presents disadvantages such as poor biodegradability and increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Bioactive packaging is a rising technology that is gaining popularity due to incorporating naturally occurring antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds sourced from agro-industrial waste and undervalued plants. The development of bioactive packaging offers several advantages such as extended shelf life, reduced food spoilage, improved food security, and use of sustainable sources. This review article explores the expanding area of bioactive packaging. Describe how bioactive compounds are incorporated into packaging matrices made of natural biodegradable polymers such as cellulose, chitosan, polylactic acid, lipids, and proteins. Additionally, review the main antimicrobial substances and natural antioxidants extracted from plants like essential oils and polyphenols into food packaging materials. Finally, the main techniques such as encapsulation and nanoemulsion were described to incorporate these bioactive compounds.
Evaluation and Study of Wild Edible Fungi Species Isolated in the Forestry Area of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro (UAAAN)
Mexico hosts a remarkable diversity of forest species, including the genera Quercus, Pinus, Abies, and Acacia, which constitute a significant ecological and cultural heritage. However, factors such as overgrazing, climate change, and forest fires have severely degraded ecosystems, impacting the biodiversity of forests and jungles. Wild mushrooms represent a vital component of the bio-cultural richness in southeastern Mexico, although this region has been significantly affected by these issues. In northern Mexico, the culture of wild mushroom consumption is limited due to extreme climatic conditions, characterized by temperatures exceeding 30 °C and annual precipitation ranging from 350 to 400 mm. Despite these environmental challenges, several wild mushroom species thrive. This study was conducted in the Forestry Department of the Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, in Saltillo, Coahuila, to collect and identify wild mushrooms present in the region. During sampling, specimens of varying sizes belonging to the genera Agaricus, Amanita, and Pleurotus were documented. This research aims to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of edible wild mushrooms, emphasizing their ecological and cultural significance within Mexican
Encapsulation of lipase from Aspergillus niger GH1 and evaluation of their disintegration In Vitro
Lipases are enzymes that hydrolyze triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol. These enzymes are naturally present in the human body and are essential to digest fats. In the present study, we focused on the encapsulation of lipases produced by Aspergillus niger GH1 fungus in an alginate matrix, using three concentrations of sodium alginate (2, 2.5, and 3.0 % w/v) and two concentrations of CaCl₂ were evaluated (0.1 and 0.2M) such as crosslinking agent. The results show that alginate provides a diffusion barrier which enables resist gastric conditions, so they can be released into the intestine in 28 minutes, where the enzymes hydrolysis triglycerides. The results showed that with 3.0 % alginate and 0.2 M CaCl₂ concentration, the morphological characteristics and enzymatic activity are the best results, thus being effective for encapsulating and releasing lipases.
Effect of Particle Size, NaOH Concentration, and S/L Ratio on the Extraction of Humic Acid from Leonardite
Humic acids are crucial for soil quality, generating growing agricultural and environmental research interest. This study focuses on statistically evaluating the effect of particle size, solid percentage, and NaOH concentration on the extraction and production of humic acid from leonardite, employing a 2³ experimental design. ANOVA showed that all individual factors significantly impact humic acid extraction (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the factor with the greatest significance according to the F-value is the NaOH concentration. The highest humic acid yield was 875.16 g HA/kg, achieved using a particle size of 375 µm, 0.5 M NaOH, and 4% solids. The results of this study provide a foundation for improving industrial processes for humic acid extraction.
Impact of Oatmeal Consumption: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Cardiovascular Disease Indicators in Overweight and Obese Men
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Natural products with potential therapeutic effects, such as Avena sativa L. (commonly known as oats), effectively treat cardiovascular diseases in an affordable (cost-effective) manner. The present pilot study aimed to determine the effect of oatmeal beverage consumption on the serum lipid profile of overweight or obese young men over 6 weeks. In a randomized study, 26 participants were given an oatmeal beverage (55 g) for 6 weeks. The variables measured were weight, body mass index (BMI), and serum lipid profile at baseline and the end of the study. The results of the statistical analysis (T-test) showed that the experimental group had a significant reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL (p= 0.020, p= 0.006, and p= 0.007, respectively), as well as a reduction in key ratios such as total cholesterol or triglycerides to HDL. In conclusion, the consumption of oatmeal beverages for 6 weeks was shown to have a cardioprotective effect in overweight, obese men.
Uses and Applications of Prebiotics in the Food Industry
Prebiotics are functional ingredients that provide health benefits to the consumer. Nowadays, different types of prebiotics have been found, with structures and properties that characterize them particularly. The most applied are FOS, GOS, and inulin. Prebiotics can provide different benefits, including alleviating intestinal inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, they have been used in the food industry as a functional ingredient in different types of products, since in addition to the health benefits to the consumer, they are also able to modify the physicochemical characteristics of the food positively, so they have emerged as a promising strategy in the food industry that when introduced into the human diet through vegetables, raw fruits, or added directly to food can be favorable for the intestinal microbiota of consumers.
Inhibition of Caco-2 Cancer Cell Growth by Prunus Serotina Extracts Obtained by Sonication
The fruit and seed of the black cherry or Capulin (Prunus serotina) are traditionally consumed in central and southern Mexico. Black cherries contain high antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-parasitic properties. Sonication can be used to extract higher amounts of these antioxidant compounds compared to classical methods. Methanolic extracts were made from pulp alone and with seed with or without sonication. The antioxidant capacity of the extract by DPPH, total sugars, and phenols, as well as the compound profile by thin layer chromatography (TLC), was characterized. The cytotoxic activity of the extracts was evaluated in colon cancer cells Caco-2. Without the sonication process, the ground pulp with seed presents a 1.2-1.3 fold increase in antioxidants than the sonicated pulp and seed. The sample containing only pulp exhibits similar behavior, increasing 1.5 times more the content of total phenols. The increase in antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents positively correlated with their antiproliferative effect in Caco-2 cells, where pulp extracts with seed and without sonication showed a marked decrease in cell viability. Identifying compounds by TLC indicates more phenolic compounds in the extracts with seeds. Grinding the seed with the pulp increases the content of phenolic compounds, while sonication in a bath is not a very efficient method for extracting more phenolic compounds than extraction by agitation from P. serotina fruits.
Valorization of guava residues: evaluation of substrates and nutritional potential in seed germination
Guava seeds, a byproduct of guava (Psidium guajava L.) industrialization, stand out for their high protein content compared to the pulp, which can be further enhanced through germination. In this study, two substrates were evaluated: cotton (CN) and a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite (PVP). Under controlled conditions at 30 °C for 30 days, parameters such as sprout height (h), root/shoot ratio, germination speed index (GSI), germination percentage (GP), biomass weight (P), and protein content (PC) were measured. The average height of the sprouts was 5.57 ± 0.15 cm in AL and 5.03 ± 0.15 cm in PVP. The root/shoot ratio varied, with values of 0.52 ± 0.43 for AL and 0.44 ± 0.11 for PVP. GSI was higher in AL with 2.5 ± 0.87 seeds/day, compared to PVP with 1.3 ± 0.4 seeds/day. However, the GP % at the end of the evaluation period was similar in both substrates, at 40 % and 39 % for AL and PVP, respectively. The protein content of the sprouts at the end of the evaluation showed no significant differences (10.39 % ± 0.34 and 11.06 % ± 1.57 for PVP and AL, respectively). Both substrates proved suitable for germination, and the increase in protein content suggests the potential use of these byproducts in both animal and human nutrition.
Exhaustive Extraction of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidants from Ataulfo Mango Seed
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important fruit worldwide, with high production that allows the production products such as juices and jams. Mango processing generates wastes, such as peels and seeds, which have been explored for their phytochemical profile and bioactivity. However, mango seed extraction processes generate waste sediment that has not been analyzed to determine whether polyphenols or antioxidants are present. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform exhaustive extraction of mango seeds and evaluate their polyphenolic content (PC) and antioxidant activity (AA). The results showed a strong relationship between the content of the extracted material, PC, and AA. Extraction 1 showed a PC of 24.79 ± 1.41 mg GAE/g (hydrolysable) and 12.38 ± 1.70 mg CE/g (condensed) and AA was DPPH: 334.65 ± 18.71 mg TE/g, ABTS: 576.50 ± 16.91 mg TE/g and FRAP: 325.20 ± 14.09 mg TE/g, these results were significant concerning extractions 2, 3, 4, and 5. However, the second extraction was significant in hydrolysable tannins, ABTS, and FRAP against extractions 3, 4, and 5. Extractions 4 and 5 showed the lowest results, with no significant differences between them in all assays. Therefore, it is possible to make at least two extractions of mango seed and obtain significant values of polyphenols and antioxidants in a second extraction, which allows further use of the seed and waste sediment from the first extraction.
The use of a didactic tool for environmental care: An approach from electrophysiology
Food and nutrition security is constantly improving for the benefit of the population. One way to carry it out is through the improvement of agricultural practices, managing to increase the quality of the fruits that are collected, etc. A method that has been attractive and low cost is through the characterization of the electrical signal generated by the plants, to later associate it with the effects of stress that are caused in the plants. This preliminary study aims to characterize the electrical signal of a strawberry plant by using Fourier series and Arduino. In this work, the extracellular measurement technique was used to characterize the response of a strawberry plant. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a low-cost measurement system based on the arduino data acquisition board. For the electrical signal amplification system, the LM358P amplifier was used. Among the main preliminary results of this work, it was found that the strawberry plant has a low electrical signal and that it should be studied by numerical analysis. However, it has a definite response when stimulated with different frequencies. This type of study will allow, in the medium term, to improve the production of strawberry plants through the stimulation of electrical signals.
Implementation of a flowmeter for the optimization of irrigation systems
Due to the current water shortage that is beginning to emerge, it is important to look for technological alternatives that optimize water use in plants. One of these solutions is the use of flowmeters. The development of a flowmeter with an arduino aims to create a device that can measure and display the flow of a liquid through a flowmeter. For this, an Arduino board and various electronic components are used, such as a flow sensor, an LCD screen and an amplifier circuit. The flow sensor is placed in the pipeline and measures the amount of liquid flowing through it. The data obtained by the sensor is sent to the Arduino board, which processes it and displays it on the LCD screen. The amplifier circuit is used to amplify the signal from the flow sensor and ensure accurate measurement. In addition, a power supply is included to ensure that the device works properly. The flowmeter with Arduino allows you to measure and observe the flow of liquids in a variety of applications, from irrigation systems to industrial processes. It is an affordable and easy-to-use solution to monitor and control the flow of liquids in real time.
Detection and Estimation of the Weight of Filled Grains From a Paddy Rice Sample, Using Digital Image Processing with ImageJ®
The identification and determination of the weight of full and empty grains of rice extracted from a panicle is a variable related to genetic characteristics of the plants, to the environmental conditions during grain filling and influence yield. Digital Image Processing (DIP) is an objective, effective tool applicable to different identification and classification processes. It is useful for the morphological characterization of grains and seeds. The objective of this work is to present a technique based on PDI for the identification of full grains and the estimation of their weight. It uses an image of the sample obtained with a desktop scanner with a transparency adapter, a scale and the ImageJ® program. The detection of full grains was carried out using the grain histogram. The grain recognition percentage was on average 85%. For weight estimation, the pixels corresponding to the projected area of the grains were correlated with their weight. The values obtained have an error of 1.2% on average. The proposed method is operationally simple, efficient and does not require prior training or special equipment.
Optimization in food production through the ISO 9001:2015 system
The food microbusiness sector in the municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico, presents great challenges among which can be found a low standardization and control of processes which directly affects the competitiveness and results of small businesses engaged in this business. This project seeks to demonstrate the importance of the application of a documentary system for the management, control and production of processes and procedures in the activities carried out within a microenterprise of the food sector in the municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico; in order to achieve a control of the flows in each phase or station of the organization and establish the implementation of Quality Management under ISO 9001:2015 which helped to achieve higher quality and standardization in products and services within the establishment.
Preliminary study of the electrical response of the cactus
Plants constantly interact with their environment and respond to biological and environmental stimuli. This article focuses on the study of cactus, an endemic cactus known for its medicinal properties. The plant responds to factors such as light, humidity, and nutrient availability through changes in its physio electric response. To enhance the understanding of these interactions, a monitoring system is proposed that allows real-time collection of electrophysiological data. An inverting amplifier (LM324) with a gain value of 5V was used to amplify the acquired signal from cactus. Electrophysiological measurements were taken using probes connected to the plant and the amplifier. The data was processed and displayed using an Arduino Uno, taking advantage of the Arduino's analog ports and its 10-bit analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) resolution. The article presents results from exposing the plant to three environmental factors: sunlight, shade, and watering. Different physio electric responses were observed in each case, with changes in the recorded output voltage. This monitoring approach provides valuable information on how cactus responds to different stimuli, which can be crucial for optimizing its growth and conservation.