Mayra Antunez-Mojica

Huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis) is an edible mushroom of interest as a source of bioactive compounds. This study characterized raw (RwH) and dry-cooked (DckH) huitlacoche extracts, evaluated their antioxidant activity and effects on lactic acid bacterial growth, and examined polysaccharide-based formulations prepared with these extracts. GC–MS analysis of the hexane fractions tentatively identified fatty acid ethyl esters, particularly ethyl linoleate, ethyl oleate, and ethyl palmitate, as major constituents based on relative peak areas, with more compound assignments obtained for RwH than for DckH. HPLC retention times and UV spectra matched those of authentic standards for 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids, supporting their tentative identification. NMR analysis of isolated compounds confirmed the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone. RwH exhibited higher total phenolic content and greater radical-scavenging activity in the ABTS and DPPH assays. Both extracts supported lactic acid bacterial growth at 1 mg/mL. Chitosan- and alginate-based formulations exhibited distinct morphological features, while DLS measurements of the chitosan-based formulations revealed heterogeneous hydrodynamic size distributions. These findings highlight differences between raw and dry-cooked huitlacoche extracts and provide an initial characterization of polysaccharide-based formulations, laying the groundwork for further evaluation of extract retention, stability, and release.

Lignans constitute an important class of plant secondary metabolites, widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and biosynthesized via the oxidative coupling of phenylpropane units. These phenolic compounds have become key components of translational medicine and the nutraceutical industry, thanks to their wide range of biological activities. These activities include antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and hormone-modulating effects, making them strategic candidates for treating chronic degenerative diseases with high global prevalence. However, harnessing their therapeutic potential presents significant challenges, as their taxonomic distribution is limited and their concentrations are concentrated in a few plant families, thereby hindering their commercial availability. Furthermore, the stereochemical complexity of their structures, characterized by multiple chiral centers, imposes significant barriers to total chemical synthesis and reduces the economic viability of synthetic routes. This gap between growing demand and limited natural supply underscores the urgent need to explore new plant species that produce lignans. In this context, this review critically examines the main sources of lignans, including direct extraction from plant biomass, chemical synthesis, and biotechnological production through callus cultures, cell suspensions, and hairy root cultures. The bioactivities and molecular mechanisms of lignans and neolignans obtained by biotechnological methods are further explored, including analyses of species distribution and molecular targets. Finally, the review discusses the advantages and limitations of different production platforms, challenges associated with industrial-scale production, and future perspectives for the sustainable and scalable development of lignan-based products.

1. Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem., commonly known as cuajilote, belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and is part of the native vegetation of Mexico. (Alvarez-Olivera et al., 2010) In traditional ...

Bursera bipinnata (DC.) Engl. (B. bipinnata), commonly known as “copal chino,” is a widely distributed Mexican tree found in transitional zones between pine-oak and deciduous forests. It is valued for its high-quality copal resin, traditionally used in ceremonies and offerings. Additionally, B. bipinnata is recognized for its significant value in traditional medicine, particularly in treating ailments associated with inflammation. In this work, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production of the volatile fraction and resin of B. bipinnata in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were demonstrated. In contrast, the volatile fraction exhibited 37.43 ± 7.13% inhibition at a concentration of 40 µg/mL. Chromatographic analyses of the total resin enabled the chemical characterization of eleven pentacyclic triterpenes belonging to the ursane, oleanane, and lupane series, as well as eight monoterpenes. Notably, the structures of compounds 15, 17, and 29–35 are reported for the first time from the resin of Bursera bipinnata. The anti-inflammatory activity observed for B. bipinnata resin in this study may be attributed to its high content of the triterpenes α-amyrin (15, 29.7%) and 3-epilupeol (17, 38.1%), both known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These findings support the traditional use of this copal resin.

Bursera bipinnata is known as “copal chino, is a small tree that grows in steep areas and is part of the transitional populations of pine and oak forests and lowland deciduous forests. It is the taxon with the widest geographic distribution in México and considered a source of high-grade copal resin used in ceremonies and offerings. Also, B. bipinnata is considered to have great value in traditional medicine to treat ailments related to in-flammation. In this work, the anti-inflammatory effects of the volatile fraction and resin of B. bipinnata in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were demonstrated. The resin extract was the best inhibitor with a 65.83 ± 8.53 % of inhibition of NO production with IC50 = 30 ± 3.3 µg/mL. In contrast, its volatile fraction showed a 37.43± 7.13 % of inhibition at 40 µg/mL. GC/MS and LC analysis of the total resin allowed the chemical characterization of eleven pentacyclic triterpenes with ursane, oleanane, and lupane skeletons, and eight monoterpenes. The structures of compounds (15, 17, 29-35) are reported for the first time from the resin of Bursera bipinnata. The anti-inflammatory activity of the most abundant constituents of the resin of B. bipinnata (α-amyrin (15), 3-epilupeol (17) and α-phellandrene (1) has been previously demonstrated which con-firms the activity showed by the resin as well as the traditional use of this important copal resin. The chemical profile of B. bippinata differs from that of other copal resins (e.g. B. copallifera) in the presence of a greater variety of triterpenes in the resin.

Broccoli is one of the most widely consumed cruciferous vegetables worldwide; however, only about 30%—primarily the florets—are consumed, while the remaining parts are considered waste. In this study, we analyzed broccoli by-products from Mexican crops, specifically evaluating the ethanolic extracts of bagasse (BB) and residual leaves (BL) for their growth-inhibitory effects on PC-3, HeLa, and Hep3B cancer cell lines. Both BB and BL selectively inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation by approximately 50%. A principal component analysis (PCA) of volatile compounds identified three main groups: fatty acids, methyl esters, sterols, and diterpenoids. Notably, sterols were the predominant components in the hexane fraction of broccoli bagasse (BB-H) (>90%), whereas fatty acids were the most abundant in the hexane fraction of broccoli leaves (BL-H) (>50%). Furthermore, two phytoalexins, caulilexin C (1) and 3-indoleacetonitrile (2), were isolated and characterized by NMR, exhibiting IC50 values of 23.43 and 33.65 μg/mL, respectively, against the HeLa cell line. Also, they showed desirable drug-like properties. These findings provide valuable insights into the chemical composition of broccoli by-products from Mexican crops, emphasizing their potential as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and food applications.

Glycosyl‐inositols are molecules consisting of one or more α‐ or β‐D‐glycosyl residues bonded primarily to inositol or methyl‐inositol. These derivatives are found in plants, yeast, bacteria, and parasites, and exhibit diverse biological properties. The limited availability of glycosyl inositols from natural sources has led to significant interest in chemical and enzymatic synthesis techniques due to their potential applications in various fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of inositols, methyl‐inositols, and primarily glycosyl inositols, focusing on their classification, natural occurrence, biological roles, and potential applications across different disciplines. Inositols, particularly myo‐inositol and its derivatives are widely distributed in plants and play essential roles in biochemical processes and metabolic functions in different organs and tissues. Glycosyl inositols, including glycosylphosphatidylinositols, glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramides, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, monoglycosyl and diglycosyl derivatives, are discussed, emphasizing their structural diversity and biological functions. Methods for their chemical and enzymatic synthesis are also reviewed, highlighting recent advances and challenges in the field. Overall, this comprehensive review underscores the significance of glycosyl inositols as versatile molecules with diverse biological functions and promising applications in scientific research and industry.