Luis Alberto Cira-Chávez

The use of cattle manure wastewater for microalgae cultivation is beneficial, as it contains nutrients such as N, P, K, Mg, Zn, and Fe. Therefore, different species of algae were isolated and cultivated, and nutrient analyses were conducted, including microalgae Watanabea sp., which resulted in higher biomass production (1.5 g L⁻¹), 36% protein, and 40% carbohydrates, although the ash fraction was only 8%, the lowest. In a TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) analysis, this species was selected from among the isolates because it demonstrated the best performance for use as a biostimulant for chili germination. After that, optimal conditions were established for cultivating Watanabea sp. microalgae in six polypropylene photobioreactors with a capacity of 2.9 L were used and tested at pH values of 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, and 9.5, at T = 25 °C, under constant light at 850 µE∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹, and different dilution rates from 0.1 until 0.9%. The highest biomass production was achieved at pH 7.5 and a dilution rate of 0.1%, indicating that slightly alkaline conditions favored biomass accumulation. These conditions were associated with enhanced nitrate and phosphate assimilation. Furthermore, the effect of Watanabea sp. biomass on stimulating the germination of agricultural chili (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds was evaluated. Three methods of application (grounding and ungrounding freeze-lyophilized and fresh biomass) and concentrations of microalgal biomass (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g L⁻¹) and a control (distilled water) were used at two temperatures (25 and 35 °C). The microalgae Watanabea sp. grounding freeze-lyophilized and treated chili seeds increased the final germination percentage and slightly earlier with better vigor and root growth at both temperatures. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effects on seedling establishment and field performance.

Virgibacillus salarius is a halophilic bacterium of biotechnological interest due to its salt-tolerant enzymes. Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence and annotation of a V. salarius strain isolated from water collected at the San Juan Hypersaline Lagoon, located in the municipality of Ascension, Chihuahua, Mexico.

The growing demand for healthier meat products has led to efforts to reduce synthetic additives, such as nitrites, in processed meats. This study evaluated the effect of enriched safflower oil with oleoresin from Capsicum annuum var. Anaheim (ESO) as a functional ingredient in the reformulation of Frankfurt-style pork sausages with reduced nitrite content. Five formulations were evaluated: a negative control without additives (F1 (0% ESO, 0% nitrite), a positive control containing only sodium nitrite F2 (0% ESO, 0.15% nitrite = 93.8 mg/kg), and three experimental treatments contained ESO and nitrite: F3 (0.5% ESO, 0.075% nitrite = 46.9 mg/kg), F4 (1% ESO, 0.05% nitrite = 31.3 mg/kg), and F5 (1.5% ESO, 0% nitrite), stored under refrigeration (4 °C) for five weeks. Physicochemical (pH, color, texture profile, proximate composition, residual chlorides and nitrites), oxidative (TBARS), and microbiological (total viable count) analyses were conducted over 5 weeks of storage. Results showed that formulation F4 provided the best balance between oxidative stability microbial control and nitrite residual content, maintaining TBARS levels below the 1.0 mg MDA/kg rancidity threshold (0.33 ± 0.01 mg MDA/kg), TVC within the 6.0 log CFU/g limit for processed meats (3.89 log CFU/g) and 1.15 mg/kg of nitrite residual at the end of the storage period. These findings suggest a synergistic effect between ESO and nitrites. Since addition of ESO was consistent with improved cured color development, likely due to the combined effect of reduced nitrite levels and the natural pigments from Anaheim chili. These findings demonstrate that ESO is a promising natural additive to partially replace nitrites, contributing to the development of healthier and safer processed meat alternatives.

This study describes the development of a biodegradable biopolymer formulated from protein–polysaccharide matrices enriched with antioxidant hydrolysates obtained from Cyprinus carpio by-products. The hydrolysates were produced through targeted enzymatic hydrolysis using plant-derived proteases, yielding peptide fractions with relevant radical-scavenging activity. Molecular characterization (DSC) confirmed the presence of thermal stability suitable for cold-chain applications, while the resulting biopolymer displayed flexible and cohesive structural behavior. The material was evaluated as an edible coating for raspberries stored at 4 °C. Coatings containing the hydrolysates, particularly those generated with bromelain, more effectively slowed physicochemical deterioration, modulated oxidative reactions, and helped to preserve nutritional quality during storage. These findings indicate that integrating bioactive peptide hydrolysates into biodegradable polymer networks enhances their functional performance, offering a sustainable approach for food preservation and valorization of agro-aquaculture residues.

Agricultural inputs based on microalgae have been successfully tested at different stages of the crop cycle, from sowing to harvest, to enhance crop performance. In this study, biomass from Nannochloropsis gaditana and Thalassiosira sp. was obtained to evaluate its effect on wheat seed germination under two temperature conditions. Microalgal biomass was produced under controlled conditions (neutral pH, air flow of 1 L·min⁻¹, and a dilution rate of 0.2 day⁻¹). The biomass was characterized for its lipid, carbohydrate, protein, and ash content. Subsequently, its effect on germination, as well as on glucose and amylose content in wheat seedlings, was assessed. Four biomass concentrations were tested (0.0 [distilled water], 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g·L⁻¹) at two incubation temperatures (25 and 35 °C). Results showed that Thalassiosira sp. lightly promoted the germination rate more than N. gaditana. Germination parameters were negatively affected by high temperature, but treatments with Thalassiosira sp. alleviated this effect, showing values comparable to those obtained at the optimal temperature. Vigor parameters were improved compared with the control in both temperatures. Glucose and amylose contents exhibited irregular but consistent patterns. However, at a temperature of 35 °C, a slight conversion of starch to glucose could be observed. Overall, microalgal biomass did not significantly improve germination or its time variables, but it could exert a protective effect against high-temperature stress, particularly in the case of Thalassiosira sp.

Los cultivos de chile (Capsicum sp.) tienen una relevancia económica significativa a nivel global, pero también generan una gran cantidad de subproductos a lo largo de la cadena de producción, muchos de los cuales no se utilizan y representan un desafío ambiental. Recientes investigaciones destacan que estos subproductos vegetales son una fuente rica en fitoquímicos, particularmente en compuestos fenólicos, los cuales poseen propiedades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas. En paralelo, la demanda de los consumidores por alternativas más saludables a los alimentos procesados ha impulsado la búsqueda de reemplazos naturales para antioxidantes y conservantes sintéticos, como el BHA, BHT y los nitritos, los cuales se asocian con riesgos para la salud, incluidas enfermedades inflamatorias y cardiovasculares. Ingredientes de origen vegetal, como los compuestos fenólicos presentes en el chile, tienen el potencial de generar alimentos más saludables y naturales, lo que contribuye a la reducción de enfermedades crónicas, incluyendo el cáncer. Estas propiedades sugieren que el chile y sus subproductos podrían ser utilizados como aditivos naturales para reemplazar moléculas sintéticas en productos cárnicos. No obstante, su implementación a gran escala enfrenta desafíos debido a la variabilidad en los sabores, colores y aromas que el chile puede aportar, lo cual puede afectar la consistencia en la calidad de los productos cárnicos. A pesar de estas limitaciones, estudios recientes han demostrado que los chiles pueden mejorar el color, sabor y textura de los productos cárnicos, al tiempo que ofrecen estabilidad frente a la oxidación y el deterioro microbiano. Por lo tanto, los compuestos fenólicos del chile se perfilan como una alternativa prometedora a los aditivos sintéticos en la industria cárnica.

The production of marine microalgae provides a sustainable solution for agriculture, acting as biostimulants to enhance seed germination, vigor, and early growth. In the present work, the parameters of pH, airflow, and dilution speed were established to produce biomass of two species of marine algae (Nannochloropsis gaditana and Thalassiosira sp.); in addition, its capacity to stimulate the germination of bean seeds was evaluated. The experimental treatments included three biomass concentrations (C_b) of both microalgae species (0.5, 1, and 1.5 g·L⁻¹) and a control (distilled water) at two temperatures (25 and 35 °C). The rate, index, average time, time at 50% germination, and vigor were evaluated. The results indicated that the highest yield of microalgae biomass was obtained with D = 0.3 day⁻¹ for N. gaditana and 0.2 day⁻¹ for Thalassiosira sp. Microalgae biomass showed activity as a biostimulant on germination, improving the germination rate and reducing the germination time with better vigor for the seedlings at each of the evaluated concentrations.

The rapid growth of the human population has significantly increased the demand for food, leading to the intensification of agricultural practices that negatively impact the environment. Climate change poses a significant threat to global food production, as it can disrupt crop yields and modify the lifecycle stages of phytopathogens and pests. To address these challenges, the use of microbial inoculants, which are bioproducts containing beneficial microorganisms known as plant growth promotion microorganisms (PGPMs), has emerged as an innovative approach in sustainable agriculture. This review covers the isolation and identification of beneficial strains, the screening and selection process, the optimization of production techniques, and the importance of quality control and field testing. It also discusses the key points for the development and formulation of high-quality microbial inoculants, as well as highlights their advancements, current challenges, and future directions for research and application.

Papaya seeds (Carica papaya L.), a by-product of the food industry, contain primary metabolites and offer secondary health benefits, but are often considered a waste with no value. Therefore, the aim of this research was to optimize the extraction process of polyphenols from papaya seeds (Carica papaya L.) to maximize their antioxidant activity using the response surface methodology (RSM). A design of experiment (DOE) approach was applied to produce the optimum conditions of factors such as solvent concentration (0–100%), temperature (30–60 °C), time (1–6 h), and exhaustion (1–6 times) to improve the extraction process. The response variables were the number of phenols and flavonoids, and the inhibition capacity of the DPPH and ABTS radicals. The main findings indicated that optimal conditions—100% solvent concentration, a temperature of 30 °C, an extraction time of 6 h, and 6 depletion cycles—maximized the yield of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity, as evaluated using ABTS and DPPH assays. The extracts presented values of 2.521 to 6.168 mg AGE/g DW for total polyphenols and 30.830 to 68.599 mg QE/g DW for total flavonoids. Likewise, they presented an antioxidant capacity using DPPH and ABTS methods with values of around 15.151 to 72.389 and 29.434 to 165.393 μM TE/g DW, respectively. Identification was also performed using liquid chromatography to determine the presence of sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and organic acids (oxalic, citric, tartaric, malic, quinic, and succinic). However, optimal values were presented outside the study area, which indicates the maximum point of the surface was at intervals higher than those studied in this investigation. The papaya seed can be applied in future research for the optimization of bioactive compounds extracted from vegetable waste and it represents a matrix with potential in the area of technological development and health.

In recent years, the adoption of sustainable pest management strategies has increased interest in the utilization of biopesticides, with a focus on harnessing beneficial microorganisms. Among these, lipopeptides, such as surfactins, iturins, and fengycins produced by the genus Bacillus, have gained significant attention due to their multifaceted biocontrol mechanisms and wide-ranging inhibitory effects. This review aims to address the regulation, biosynthesis, and production of three main lipopeptide families secreted by the genus Bacillus, as well as the identification and quantification analysis used to date, through the omic tools approach. The three families have been identified as key contributors to the biocontrol abilities of these bacteria, with their broad-spectrum activity making them valuable tools in integrated pest management approaches that aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides use while maintaining crop health and productivity.