Nanotechnology is a tool that in the last decade has demonstrated multiple applications in several sectors, including agroindustry. There has been an advance in the development of nanoparticulated ...systems to be used as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, sensors, and quality stimulants, among other applications. The nanoencapsulation process not only protects the active ingredient but also can affect the diffusion, interaction, and activity. It is important to evaluate the negative aspects of the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture. Given the high impact of the nanoparticulated systems in the agro-industrial field, this review aims to address the effects of various nanomaterials on the morphology, metabolomics, and genetic modification of several crops.
The problem of water pollution by persistent substances and microorganisms requires solutions that materials such as silver-modified titanium dioxide can provide due to their excellent photocatalytic ...and antimicrobial properties. However, the synthesis methods conventionally used to obtain these materials involve toxic chemical reagents such as sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The search for alternative synthesis methods that use environmentally friendly substances, such as the biosynthesis method, was evaluated. Silver-titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) was synthesized by a Eucalyptus globulus L. extract as a reductive agent through sol-gel and microwave-assisted sol-gel processes. Four different solvents were tested to extract secondary metabolites to determine their roles in reducing silver nanoparticles. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles with sizes from 11 to 14 nm were obtained in the anatase phase, and no narrowing of the bandgap was observed (3.1–3.2 eV) for the Ag-TiO2 materials compared with the pure TiO2. Interestingly, the bacterial inhibition values were close to 100%, suggesting an effective antimicrobial mechanism related to the properties of silver. Finally, by the physicochemical characterization of the materials and their antimicrobial properties, it was possible to obtain a suitable biosynthesized Ag-TiO2 material as a green option for water disinfection that may be compared to the conventional methods.
Phytophthora capsici is a highly destructive pathogen of crops. Although chemical pesticides are the most widely used strategy to counter phytopathogens, they have been inefficient to combat P. ...capsici and have produced significant environmental and health problems. Therefore, sustainable alternatives to control soilborne pathogens, such as the inhibitory effect of self‐extracellular DNA (eDNA), have been proposed. This inhibition phenomenon has been attributed to the action of self‐eDNA as a damage‐associated molecular pattern (DAMP). Here, we describe the effect of self‐eDNA on P. capsici zoospore germination rate, antioxidant enzymes activity and MAPK gene expression. Also, the effect of P. capsici eDNA on the protection of chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants against P. capsici was investigated. The results highlight that P. capsici can sense 2–500 µg/ml self‐eDNA and induce stress‐related responses like SAK1 gene expression, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Moreover, in vitro zoospore germination rate was suppressed with self‐eDNA concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 µg/ml. Interestingly, drench applications of P. capsici eDNA at 60 and 100 µg/ml on chilli pepper plants did not show any protective effect against the phytopathogen, whereas 2 µg/ml of P. capsici eDNA drench application showed a lower percentage of plants with symptoms and lower disease severity. Moreover, phenols and total flavonoids were increased in chilli pepper plants, therefore inducing plant immunity. This study showed that self‐eDNA acts as a DAMP in P. capsici and provides insight into the use of eDNA for the protection of crops of agronomic interest.
This study showed that self‐eDNA acts as a DAMP in P. capsici inducing stress‐related responses, giving an insight into the use of self‐eDNA in field‐like conditions against the phytopathogen.
Abstract
The application of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture has been growing piecemeal; however, it has been very limited only to the use of nanoparticles with respect to the intake, ...accumulation, and interaction of these in plants specifically in cells, tissues, and soils. Nevertheless, the effect of the mechanism of contribution in plants and sprouts has not been thoroughly studied. In the area of nanotechnology, the research of nanofiber materials is still considerably more limited with respect to the impact on plant metabolism. Even so, it has been observed that the fabrication of nanofibers has many advantages due to simplicity, low cost of production, high porosity, and contact surface. In this review, we will explore some applications and advantages of the use of nanofibers by electrospinning in agricultural applications mainly in growth and protection of the seeds, plants, and soils as well as in the detection of compounds.
Mexican spices are used in the supplementation of the human diet and as medicinal herbs for the particularly high amounts of compounds capable of deactivating free radicals. In addition, these spices ...can have beneficial effects on chronic, no-transmissible diseases such as type II diabetes and hypertension arterial. The objective of this study is to determine the content of phenolic compounds on the antioxidant activity and inhibitory enzymes of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme in melissa, peppermint, thyme and mint, which are subjected to microwave drying, conventional and freeze-drying to be used as alternative treatments. Spices were evaluated to determine total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), (2,2'-azino-bis- (3-ethyl benzothiazolin-6-ammonium sulphonate) (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP), enzymatic activity. The investigation showed that conventional drying caused a decrease in antioxidant properties and inhibitory activity, in some species, while remained preserved in microwave drying and freeze-drying. The activity of polyphenol oxides and peroxidase decreases with high temperatures and these increase with the use of cold temperatures. This study aims to determine the extent of optimal drying required to preserve phenolic compounds, and the positive effect on antioxidant activity and enzymatic activity in in vitro models, which will produce benefits for the infusion processing industry and the pharmaceutical industry.
In Mexico one in 14 deaths are caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) or by the macro and microvascular disorders derived from it. A continuous hyperglycemic state is characteristic of DM, resulting from a ...sustained state of insulin resistance and/or a dysfunction of β-pancreatic cells.
is a little studied species showing a significant antioxidant activity that can be used as treatment of this disease or preventive against the complications. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of oral administration of
methanol extract on physiological parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, an increase in serum insulin concentration, a decrease in lipid levels and an improvement in the parameters of kidney damage by applying a concentration of 100 mg/Kg B.W. However, glucose uptake activity was not observed in the adipocyte assay. Moreover, the extract of
displayed potential for the complementary treatment of diabetes and its complications likely due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as protocatechuic acid. This study demonstrated that methanol extract of
has an antidiabetic effect by reducing the levels of glucose, insulin and improved physiological parameters, hypolipidemic effect, oxidative stress and renal damage in diabetic rats.
Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) contain a high proportion of undigested carbohydrates (NDC) that can be fermented in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as ...acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the composition and chemopreventive effect of a polysaccharide extract (PE) from cooked common beans (P. vulgaris L) cv. Negro 8025 on azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon cancer in rats. The PE induced SCFA production with the highest butyrate concentrated in the cecum zone: 6.7 ± 0.06 mmol/g of sample for PE treatment and 5.29 ± 0.24 mmol/g of sample for PE + AOM treatment. The number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the transcriptional expression of bax and caspase-3 were increased, and rb expression was decreased. The data suggest that PE decreased ACF and had an influence on the expression of genes involved in colon cancer for the action of butyrate concentration.
Hylocereus spp. present two varieties of commercial interest due to their color, organoleptic characteristics, and nutritional contribution, such as Hylocerous polyrhizus and Selenicerus undatus. The ...fruit recognized as dragon fruit or Pitahaya is an exotic fruit whose pulp is consumed, while the peel is discarded during the process. Studies indicate that the pulp has vitamin C and betalains, and seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, compounds that can contribute to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases (cancer, hypertension, and diabetes). In the present study, polyphenolic compounds, biological activity, and fatty acids present in the peel of the two varieties of pitahaya peel were evaluated, showing as a result that the variety S. undatus had higher antioxidant activity with 51% related to the presence of flavonoids 357 mgRE/g sample and fatty acids (hexadecanoic acid and linoleate) with 0.310 and 0.248 mg AG/g sample, respectively. On the other hand, H. polyrhizuun showed a significant difference in the inhibitory activity of amylase and glucosidase enzymes with 68% and 67%, respectively. We conclude that pitahaya peel has potential health effects and demonstrate that methylated fatty acids could be precursors to betalain formation, as well as showing effects against senescence and as a biological control against insects; in the same way, the peel can be reused as a by-product for the extraction of important enzymes in the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Elicitors are stressors of biotic nature responsible for the adaptation of plants to cope with environmental stresses. Brassicae species (as white mustard) produce glucosinolates (GSs) that modify ...soil microbial communities and suppress soil-borne plant diseases. This research aimed to evaluate the glucosinolates levels in white mustard after elicitation with salicylic acid (SA), hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
), chitosan (QN), and a commercial oligosaccharide (Xh), as well as the impact on the biofumigant activity of elicited plant residues mixed with fresh manure against soil-borne populations of
Fusarium oxysporum
. White mustard plants were treated with SA, H
2
O
2
, QN, and Xh. White mustard residues of the QN treatment (100 mg/mL) were further evaluated either in combination or not with fresh cow manure for biofumigant activity against
F. oxysporum
. Spectrophotometric and GC–MS techniques, respectively, determined GSs in white mustard plant organs. Significant increases in GSs in all plant organs except roots were found. The best treatment was chitosan 100 mg/mL, showing increases in leaves, flowers, and seeds. These plants treated with chitosan and mixed with fresh cow manure used in the biofumigation of soils displayed a reduction from 1600 CFU/g of soil to 50 CFU/g of soil
F. oxysporum
native population. Results suggested that controlled elicitation might increase the amount of GSs on white mustard, especially in the aerial parts; thus, elicited white mustard can be valorized as a potent biofumigant when mixed with fresh cow manure; thus, these green amendments might be a sustainable alternative in agriculture to help in crop management.
The group of aquatic insects collectively called "water boatmen" or "Axayacatl" (Hemiptera: Corixidae) and their eggs, called "Ahuahutle", have been consumed and cultivated since the pre-Hispanic era ...in Mexico. Nevertheless, food composition databases contain limited information on the nutritional composition of these eggs. This work evaluates the macronutrients and bioactive compounds of water boatmen eggs obtained from three different locations in Mexico. The primary analyses to be determined for the first time were some bioactive compounds in the eggs, such as phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, condensed tannins content, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), and, additionally, fatty acids and proximal composition. The results showed that the sample from Hidalgo (AMC) presented the highest number of phenolic compounds (855.12 ± 0.52), followed by ALT (125.52 ± 0.05) and, with the lowest amount, AMT (99.92 ± 0.13), all expressed in an mg GAE/g sample. ALT indicated the highest mol TE/g sample concentration for ABTS (25.34 ± 0.472) and DPPH (39.76 ± 0.054), showing a significant difference in the DPPH method with the AMT samples. The three Corixidae egg samples had between 15 to 18 different fatty acid profiles, and there were statistically significant differences (Student's
-test ≤ 0.05) between the means using MSD. The total fats of the three samples were between 12.5 and 15.5 g/100 g dry basis. In addition, Corixidae eggs are excellent protein sources. Thus, water boatmen's eggs can be considered to be a food rich in bioactive compounds.
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