Zenón Gerardo López Tecpoyotl

In order to determine whether organic production may be a viable option for goat farmers of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, Mexico, in order to increase sustainability of their farms, we evaluated the extent to which these goat farms fulfill organic standards. Additionally, we revised their level of sustainability by calculating an Organic Livestock Conversion Index (OLCI) using 10 indicators and 36 variables. Information was obtained through two means: direct observation and a questionnaire applied to 119 goat farmers of six municipalities of the region. These goat farms principally consist of creole goats that graze in extensive communal rangelands and grasslands in non-arable lands with xerophytic vegetation, and their principal product is meat of adult goats. The goat farms had a moderate level of OLCI (48.0–53.6%) as well as a moderate level of sustainability (46.0–58%) for the goat farms included in this study). Five indicators showed limited compliance of the goat farms, with organic standards. Five showed a high level of compliance. The greater the OLCI value, the greater the sustainability of the goat farms. Increasing the level of compliance of the goat farms of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, with the organic standards, which would in turn increase their level of sustainability, would require improving technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of these farms, as well as co-responsibility in promoting sustainable organic goat farming by the different social actors involved (farmers, researchers, technical advisors, and policymakers).

El haba es un cultivo de gran importancia social y económica en los Valles Altos de la Mesa Central de México, teniendo como destino final el consumo humano y animal. A pesar de su importancia, los rendimientos de grano son bajos, siendo la inadecuada fertilización una de las razones. La presente investigación se realizó con el propósito de determinar el efecto de la fertilización órgano-mineral en el rendimiento de haba, en suelo y sustrato tezontle. La investigación se realizó de diciembre 2013-abril 2014, en el municipio de San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, bajo condiciones de invernadero, utilizando semilla Cultivar Cochinera. Se estudiaron dos factores: biofertilización líquida foliar y concentración de solución nutritiva de Steiner al 50% y 100%. Los biofertilizantes estudiados fueron provenientes de digestores de flujo continuo tipo Taiwán localizados en los municipios de San Felipe Teotlalcingo y Huejotzingo, Puebla. El diseño experimental de los trabajos fue completamente al azar y arreglo factorial de tratamientos, con cinco repeticiones. Los resultados mostraron que, para el cultivo en suelo, los tratamientos no presentaron diferencias en el rendimiento de fruto en fresco, pero si hubo diferencias significativas en rendimiento de fruto seco donde la aplicación de biofertilizante líquido proveniente de San Felipe Teotlalcingo tuvo los mejores resultados. Mientras que la aplicación de una fertilización órgano-mineral completa en sustrato tezontle resultó en la mejor repuesta en rendimiento de fruto fresco y seco.

Background: Acacia farnesiana (AF) pods have been traditionally used to treat dyspepsia, diarrhea and topically for dermal inflammation. Main objectives: (1) investigate the antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative-induced damage of six extracts from AF pods and (2) their capacity to curb the inflammation process as well as to down-regulate the pro-inflammatory mediators. Methods: Five organic extracts (chloroformic, hexanic, ketonic, methanolic, methanolic:aqueous and one aqueous extract) were obtained and analyzed by UPLC-ESI-Q-oa/TOF-MS. Antioxidant activity (DPPH•, ORAC and FRAP assays) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) were performed. Assessment of anti-inflammatory properties was made by the ear edema induced model in CD-1 mice and MPO activity assay. Likewise, histological analysis, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, COX measurements plus nitrite and immunohistochemistry analysis were carried out. Results: Methyl gallate, gallic acid, galloyl glucose isomer 1, galloyl glucose isomer 2, galloyl glucose isomer 3, digalloyl glucose isomer 1, digalloyl glucose isomer 2, digalloyl glucose isomer 3, digalloyl glucose isomer 4, hydroxytyrosol acetate, quinic acid, and caffeoylmalic acid were identified. Both organic and aqueous extracts displayed antioxidant activity. All extracts exhibited a positive effect on the interleukins, COX and immunohistochemistry assays. Conclusion: All AF pod extracts can be effective as antioxidant and topical anti-inflammatory agents.