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La ciudad de Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, se caracteriza por tener árboles de aguacate criollo con diferentes propiedades morfológicas. Sin embargo, es muy poca la información que se tiene sobre las características nutrimentales y sensoriales de los frutos de estos árboles. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar bromatológica, mineral, fitoquímica y sensorial 7 aguacates criollos, obtenidos de diferentes árboles. El análisis proximal se realizó mediante pruebas estandarizadas por la AOAC (2019), mientras que el contenido de fitoquímicos se determinó en un equipo HPLC/MS. Posteriormente, las muestras se evaluaron mediante una prueba hedónica. El análisis bromatológico arrojó diferencias significativas en el total de las muestras para las diferentes variables de respuesta, lo que indica la gran diversidad genética entre los árboles muestreados. Los minerales que se determinaron en mayor concentración fueron Potasio, Magnesio y Calcio. Se identificaron 38 compuestos fitoquímicos diferentes en los frutos, con mayor presencia de flavonas, mientras que el análisis sensorial arrojó una diferencia significativa entre los criollos en las variables evaluadas. Los atributos de sabor y textura resultaron los más importantes para la preferencia del consumidor. Diferentes factores ambientales (suelo, clima, altitud, latitud, madurez) modifican la composición nutrimental del aguacate y sus características organolépticas. Los resultados de este trabajo pudieran ayudar a la propagación, diversificación frutícola y desarrollo de empresas enfocadas en este fruto en Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila.

Los hidrogeles basados en colágeno son redes tridimensionales (3D) con la capacidad de absorber agua y una alta biocompatibilidad para utilizarlos en la reparación de tejidos dañados. Estos materiales presentan pobres propiedades mecánicas y velocidades de degradación rápidas, limitando su aplicación a estrategias de ingeniería tisular y biomedicina; por ésto, la incorporación de fases inorgánicas en la matriz 3D del colágeno como la hidroxiapatita ha contribuido en la mejora de sus propiedades, incrementado la eficiencia de los hidrogeles híbridos obtenidos. Este trabajo, presenta las contribuciones más relevantes relacionadas con los sistemas de hidrogeles basados en colágeno y partículas de hidroxiapatita dispersas dentro de la matriz colagénica, lo que evidencia que la combinación de los materiales no altera la biocompatibilidad y biodegradabilidad típicas del colágeno, permitiendo la adhesión, proliferación, crecimiento celular y control del metabolismo de las células implicadas en los procesos de una reparación ósea, presentando a los hidrogeles como una estrategia para su uso potencial en la ingeniería tisular.

A biomimetic method was used to promote bioactivity of ZrTiO4. Zirconium titanate was obtained by using a combination of techniques such as mechanical milling and heat treatment of zirconia and titania powders. The effect of milling time on the evolution of the ZrTiO4 phase formation was studied. Powders were uniaxially pressed followed by heat treatment for 6 h at different temperatures within the range between 700 and 1500 ºC. Single phase ZrTiO4 was obtained after ball-milling for 30 h followed heat treating in air at 1500 ºC for 6 h. For the biomimetic coatings were obtained by immersion of the samples in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7, 14 and 21 days on a bed of wollastonite powder, and were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR and TEM. For comparison purposes, experiments were also performed without using the bioactive powder bed. A bone-like apatite layer was formed on zirconium titanate after 21 days of immersion in SBF using a bed of wollastonite powder.

A glass-ceramic biomaterial with near-eutectic composition of the pseudo-binary system diopside (CMS2, CaMgSi2O6)–tricalcium phosphate [C3P, Ca3(PO4)2], with a weight composition of 61% CMS2–39% C3P, was synthesized by the so-called “petrurgic method”. Three different cooling rates (0.5, 1 and 2 °C/h) were used through the mushy zone. The synthesized materials showed a microstructure consisting of β-C3Pss (solid solution of CMS2 in C3P) primary skeletal dendrites, with a peculiar comb-like morphology, and which were embedded in a matrix of lamellar CMS2–β-C3Pss eutectic phase. The matrix also presumably contained a small amount of CaO–SiO2 glass segregated during formation of the β-C3Pss phase. The cooling rate used through the mushy zone affected the microstructure and phase composition of the synthesized materials. The dendrites of the primary β-C3Pss phase became smaller and thicker with decreasing cooling rate, while the level of substitution of Mg for Ca (x) decreased and that of Si for P (δ) increased in the latter phase, and the CMS2/β-C3Pss weight ratio tended to increase slightly in the interdendritic matrix, with increasing cooling rate. Resumen: Un biomaterial vitrocerámico con composición cercana a la eutéctica del sistema seudobinario diópsido (CMS2, CaMgSi2O6) - fosfato tricálcico [C3P, Ca3(PO4)2], con una composición en masa del 61% CMS2 - 39% C3P, fue sintetizado utilizando el llamado «método petrúrgico». Se usaron 3 diferentes velocidades de enfriamiento (0.5, 1 y 2 °C/h) a través de la zona de transición sólido/líquido. Los materiales sintetizados mostraron una microestructura consistente en dendritas esqueléticas primarias de la fase β-C3Pss (solución sólida de CMS2 en C3P), con una morfología peculiar similar a un peine, embebidas en una matriz constituida por la fase eutéctica laminar CMS2 - β-C3Pss. La matriz probablemente también contenía una pequeña cantidad de vidrio CaO-SiO2 segregado durante la formación de la fase β-C3Pss. La velocidad de enfriamiento utilizada a través de la zona de transición sólido/líquido afectó la microestructura y la composición de fases de los materiales sintetizados. Las dendritas de la fase primaria β-C3Pss se volvieron más pequeñas y gruesas con una velocidad de enfriamiento decreciente, mientras que el nivel de sustitución de Mg por Ca (x) disminuyó y el de Si por P (δ) aumentó en la última fase, y la relación en peso CMS2/β-C3Pss tendió a aumentar ligeramente en la matriz interdendrítica, con una velocidad de enfriamiento creciente.

The in vitro bioactivity of slightly hypereutectic glass-ceramics of the pseudo-binary system diopside (CMS2, CaMgSi2O6)–tricalcium phosphate [Ca3P, Ca3(PO4)2], was tested in a Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) from 7 to 21 days at pH = 7.3 and 36.5 °C. The materials were synthesized by the petrurgic method, using cooling rates of 0.5, 1 and 2 °C/h through the mushy zone. Their microstructure consisted of β-C3Pss (solid solution of CMS2 in Ca3P) primary dendrites in a matrix of CMS2–β-C3Pss lamellar eutectic phase. The dissolution of the interdendritic matrix into the SBF lead to the formation of an interconnected porous structure at the surface of the samples. Subsequently, the β-C3Pss primary dendrites were pseudomorphically converted into (Ca10−yMgy)(PO4)6−z(SiO4)z(OH)2−z (Mg and Si co-substituted hydroxyapatite, HAp). The cavities left by the dissolved matrix were then filled with HAp, and a layer of this phase was formed on the surface of the material. The rate of dissolution of the material's matrix into the SBF, the rate of precipitation of HAp from the solution, the composition of the precipitated HAp, and pH and ionic composition of the SBF during the tests, were all affected by the cooling rate used to synthesize the materials. Resumen: La bioactividad in vitro de vitrocerámicas ligeramente hipereutécticas del sistema seudobinario diópsido (CMS2, CaMgSi2O6)–fosfato tricálcico [Ca3P, Ca3(PO4)2], se probó en un fluido fisiológico simulado (FFS) por 7 a 21 días a pH = 7.3 y 36.5 °C. Los materiales sintetizados por el método petrúrgico, usando velocidades de enfriamiento de 0.5, 1 y 2 °C/h a través de la zona de transición sólido/líquido, presentaron una microestructura de dendritas primarias de β-C3Pss (solución sólida de CMS2 en Ca3P) en una matriz de fase eutéctica laminar de CMS2–β-C3Pss. La disolución de la matriz en el FFS creó una estructura porosa interconectada en la superficie de las muestras. Posteriormente, las dendritas primarias de β-C3Pss se convirtieron seudomórficamente en (Ca10−yMgy)(PO4)6−z(SiO4)z(OH)2−z (hidroxiapatita, HAp, co-sustituida con Mg y Si). Las cavidades creadas al disolverse la matriz se llenaron con HAp, y se formó una capa de esta misma fase sobre la superficie del material. Las velocidades de disolución de la matriz en el FFS y de precipitación de la HAp de la solución, la composición de la HAp precipitada, y el pH y la composición iónica del FFS durante las pruebas, fueron afectados por la velocidad de enfriamiento utilizada para sintetizar los materiales.

Maya nut (Brosimum alicastrum) is a novel food with high nutritional value. This research aimed to evaluate the nutritional and antioxidant properties of Maya nut flour (MNF) made from seeds dried by different methods (sun-dried and using hot air at 45 °C and 60 °C) to explore its incorporation into cookies and evaluate its nutritional and functional properties. The naturally sun-dried flour (NF) had the highest content of ash (3.64 ± 0.11 g/100 g), protein (6.35 ± 0.44 g/100 g), crude fiber (6.75 ± 0.29 g/100 g), and functional properties (water and oil absorption). The color of the flour was affected by the different drying methods. While the drying methods influenced the total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of MNF, they did not affect the morphology of the native starch or generated important molecular-structural changes. The substitution of 60% of wheat flour with NF in the cookie’s formula increased the protein and fiber content, whereas 20% substitution increased its AA. MNF is a source of protein, dietary fiber, micronutrients, and functional compounds that can enrich cookie formulations.

In this study, proximal composition, mineral analysis, polyphenolic compounds identification, and antioxidant and functional activities were determined in green bean (GBF), mesquite (MF), and pea (PF) flours. Different mixtures of legume flour and wheat flour for bread elaboration were determined by a simplex-centroid design. After that, the proximal composition, color, specific volume, polyphenol content, antioxidant activities, and functional properties of the different breads were evaluated. While GBF and PF have a higher protein content (41–47%), MF has a significant fiber content (19.9%) as well as a higher polyphenol content (474.77 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant capacities. It was possible to identify Ca, K, and Mg and caffeic and enolic acids in the flours. The legume–wheat mixtures affected the fiber, protein content, and the physical properties of bread. Bread with MF contained more fiber; meanwhile, PF and GBF benefit the protein content. With MF, the specific bread volume only decreased by 7%. These legume flours have the potential to increase the nutritional value of bakery goods.

In Mexico, mistletoes have several applications in traditional medicine due to the great variety of compounds with biological activities that have not been characterized to date. The goals of the present study are to analyze the composition of minerals and phytochemical compounds in Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum qualitatively and quantitatively, identify the compounds using HPLC-MS, and assess the antimicrobial potential in phytopathogenic microorganism control. Mineral content was evaluated with X-ray fluorescence. Three types of extracts were prepared: ethanol, water, and aqueous 150 mM sodium chloride solution. Characterization was carried out using qualitative tests for phytochemical compound groups, analytical methods for proteins, reducing sugars, total phenol, flavonoids quantification, and HPLC-MS for compound identification. The antimicrobial activity of mistletoe’s liquid extracts was evaluated by microplate assay. K and Ca minerals were observed in both mistletoes. A qualitative test demonstrated alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and quinones. Ethanolic extract showed flavonoids, 3845 ± 69 and 3067 ± 17.2 mg QE/g for Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively, while aqueous extracts showed a total phenol content of 65 ± 6.9 and 90 ± 1.19 mg GAE/g Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum, respectively. HPLC-MS identified largely hydroxycinnamic acids and methoxycinnamic acids. Clavibacter michiganenses was successfully inhibited by aqueous extract of both mistletoes.

Aim: The Andean tubers Ullucus tuberosus and Arracacia xanthorrhiza are of great international importance due to their nutritional value (carbohydrates, fiber), functional and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to determine the proximate composition of the flours of these tubers, their functional properties, and the phenolic profiles of both the skin and the pulp, since the flour used is a mixture of both. Methods: The proximal characteristics were determined as established by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), the functional properties, water holding capacity (WHC), swelling capacity (SC), and oil holding capacity (OHC); and the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Results: Results revealed that the tubers contain more than 50% carbohydrates, with U. tuberosus having 14% fiber and A. xanthorrhiza having 4.07% fiber. Notably, they are rich in minerals, such as potassium (K), with levels of 4.12% and 3.32% for U. tuberosus and A. xanthorrhiza, respectively. In terms of functional properties, U. tuberosus exhibited a WHC of 0.78 g water/g dry matter (DM), an SC of 1.42 g water/g DM, and an OHC of 0.44 g oil/g DM. In contrast, A. xanthorrhiza showed a WHC of 0.96 g water/g DM, an SC of 3.86 g water/g DM, and an OHC of 0.18 g oil/g DM. Additionally, the study identified various hydroxycinnamic acids, including caffeic acid 4-O-glucoside and p-coumaroyl glucose, as well as methoxyflavonols, such as 3,7-dimethylquercetin. Conclusions: These characteristics suggest that the flours could be valuable for the production of bakery products, pastries, pastas, or foods requiring high viscosity. Furthermore, U. tuberosus and A. xanthorrhiza flours have potential applications in the development of functional foods, thus promoting their use and adding value to these tubers produced in the Andean region.

Huanglongbing (HLB) reduces the growth and development of citrus and induces changes in secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, limonoids, and polyamines. Likewise, infected plants have a deficient absorption of nutrients such as zinc, potassium, manganese, and copper. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different rootstocks on morphology and mineral changes of Citrus limon and Citrus sinensis cv. Valencia plants inoculated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. In a greenhouse of the Experimental Station-Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria were inoculated to Citrus limon plants (growing on Citrus volkameriana, Citrus macrophylla, and Citrus aurantium rootstocks) and Citrus sinensis cv. Valencia (growing on Citrus volkameriana and Citrus aurantium rootstocks). The experiment was established under a completely randomized design with 45 graft/rootstock repetitions. In each graft/rootstock combination, the plant height and stem diameter were determined using a tape measurer and a Vernier, respectively. In addition, the nutrient content of foliar samples was determined by an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. In both citrus species, the C. aurantium rootstock promoted a higher concentration of the bacteria. On the other hand, the rootstock that showed the best agronomical results after inoculation with the bacteria was C. volkameriana, presenting the least variation in mineral content and conferring greater plant height (15%) and stem diameter (23%). In contrast, the presence of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus decreased S content and increased Cu concentration in C. lemon plants. Similarly, plants infected with C. sinensis presented higher Fe content. Finally, in both species, no significant differences were observed for Mn, P, and Zn concentration.