Response Surface Methodology of Glutamine, Asparagine and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid for Agave americana L. Embryo Number and their Optimization in a RITA® Automatic Bioreactor System

Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effect of different concentrations of 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), asparagine and glutamine on a number of embryos from callus of Agave americana L generated with 0.5mg/L of 2,4-D, treatments obtained according to an experimental design with response surface Box-Behnken with three repetitions at the central point with 0, 1 and 2 mg L-1 2, 4-D; 0, 200 and 500 mg L-1 glutamine and 0, 500 and 1000 mg L-1 asparagine. The embryo number was optimized using the RITA® automatic bioreactors system using a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) varying the immersion frequencies with similar solid and liquid treatments at the same time for comparative purposes. The results showed that interaction between asparagine and glutamine had a statistically significant effect and the largest embryo number was obtained with the higher concentration of the two amino acids, the coefficient of determination (R2) calculated from the validation data for RSM model was 0.92, The use of the RITA® bioreactor had a positive effect on embryo number at 1 min of immersion time and a frequency of 12 times a day comparing with the liquid system but not at others frequencies, possibly because of the physical conditions inside the reactor. Response surface design was an experimental strategy which led to raise the embryo number using asparagine and glutamine as supplement of MS medium in the callus differentiation A. americana L. and using the RITA reactors automatic system was effective to improve the multiplication rate

Desarrollo y caracterización de películas activas con nanopartículas de plata obtenidas mediante síntesis verde

The use of edible films is a technology to extend the shelf life of food. The addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) could improve the performance of edible films and avoid the growth of microorganisms that could affect food. The objective was to elaborate and characterize AgNPs by green synthesis and to evaluate the effect of their addition on the mechanical and barrier properties of films formed from Cajanus cajan protein and Tamarindus indica seed gum. An aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves was used for green synthesis. Three films were developed containing AgNPs, aqueous extract of Annona muricata leaves and water (control). Films were evaluated by their water vapour permeability (WVP), color, opacity and mechanical properties. The AgNPs increased twice the Young's module (0.0675 MPa) and the tensile strength (2.84 MPa) in relation to control film. Moreover, the AgNPs influenced also the color and opacity of the films. However, no differences were observed in the WVP. The addition of AgNPs to films, could be an option to increase the shelf life of foods.El uso de películas comestibles es una tecnología para alargar la vida útil de los alimentos. La adición de nanopartículas de plata (AgNPs) podría mejorar el desempeño de películas comestibles y evitar el crecimiento de microorganismos que podrían afectar a los alimentos. El objetivo fue elaborar y caracterizar AgNPs mediante síntesis verde y evaluar el efecto de su adición sobre las propiedades mecánicas y de barrera de películas formadas a partir de proteína de Cajanus cajan y goma de la semilla de Tamarindus indica. Para la síntesis de AgNPs se utilizó extracto acuoso de Annona muricata. Tres diferentes formulaciones de películas se elaboraron las cuales contenían AgNPs, extracto acuoso de guanábana y agua (control). Las películas fueron evaluadas en términos de su permeabilidad al vapor de agua (WVP), color, opacidad y propiedades mecánicas. Las AgNPs incrementaron el doble el módulo de Young de las películas (0.0675 MPa) y la fuerza de tensión (2.84 MPa) con respecto al control. Además, las AgNPs influyeron estadísticamente en el color y opacidad de la película. Sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias en la PVA. La adición de AgNPs a recubrimientos podría ser una opción para incrementar la vida útil de alimentos

Effect of the elicitation with magnetic field of corn seeds on the development and nutrition of sprouts

Objective: To evaluate the effect of exposing corn seeds to a 100 mT magnetic field (MF) on their sprout development. Design/methodology/approach: A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments (0, 10, 15, 30, and 60 minutes of MF exposure) with three repetitions (72 experimental units). From the germination process, the gibberellic acid concentration (GA3) and α-amylase activity were determined, morphometric and biochemical parameters of the foliar tissue from the sprouts were measured, such as total phenols, flavonoids, and catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and phenylalanium ammonium lyase (PAL) activities. Finally, some nutritional quality parameters of the sprouts were quantified, such as protein and ash content. Results: The results showed that the treatment of corn seeds with a MF had a favorable effect on the germination process increasing the GA3 concentration. Also, improvement in the development and quality of the sprouts, by increasing the growth of the shoot, root length, concentration of phenolic compounds and ash content in corn sprouts was found. Limitations on study/implications: escalate elicitation to the field level. Findings/conclusions: The elicitation of corn seeds with a magnetic field generates positive changes that transcend the corn sprouts

Changes in Intestinal Microbiota and Predicted Metabolic Pathways During Colonic Fermentation of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)—Based Bar Indigestible Fraction

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel and pulp are a source of dietary fiber (DF) and phenolic compounds (PCs) that constituent part of the indigestible fraction (IF). This fraction reaches the colon and acts as a carbon and energy source for intestinal microbiota. The effect of mango IF on intestinal microbiota during colonic fermentation is unknown. In this study, the isolated IF of a novel ‘Ataulfo’ mango-based bar (snack) UV-C irradiated and non irradiated (UVMangoBand MangoB) were fermented. Colonic fermentation occurred in vitro under chemical-enzymatic, semi-anaerobic, batch culture and controlled pH colonic conditions. Changes in the structure of fecal microbiota were analyzed by 16s rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The community´s functional capabilities were determined in silico. The MangoB and UVMangoB increased the presence of Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Eubacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Holdemanella, Catenibacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, Buttiauxella, Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, Prevotella and Bacteroides genera. The alpha indexes showed a decrease in microbial diversity after 6 h of colonic fermentation. The coordinates analysis indicated any differences between irradiated and non-irradiated bar. The metabolic prediction demonstrated that MangoB and UVMangoB increase the microbiota carbohydrate metabolism pathway. This study suggests that IF of mango-based bar induced beneficial changes on microbial ecology and metabolic pathway that could be promissory to prevention or treatment of metabolic dysbiosis. However, in vivo interventions are necessary to confirm the interactions between microbiota modulating and intestinal beneficial effects

Selección de genotipos de caña de azúcar usando características de cultivo de callos

Los programas para obtener nuevos genotipos de caña de azúcar (Saccharum officinarum) duran de 10 a 15 años y la etapa de selección es la que consume más tiempo. Por tanto, se realizó un estudio para determinar la relación entre las características de los cultivos de callos y variables agronómicas de plantas derivadas de callos de cuatro genotipos de caña de azúcar cultivados en México. Se encontró que el peso fresco de los callos se correlacionó con el tallo industrializable, con el número de entrenudos y número de tallos. El contenido de sacarosa en los callos se correlacionó con la longitud del tallo industrializable y el diámetro de los entrenudos El peso fresco y el contenido de sacarosa en los callos son dos características de los cultivos in vitro que deben estudiarse con más genotipos antes de usarse para seleccionar genotipos de caña de azúcar en programas de mejoramient

EFECTO DE LOS FERTILIZANTES INORGÁNICOS Y LA INOCULACIÓN RIZOBIAL SOBRE CRECIMIENTO, NODULACIÓN Y CONTENIDO DE TANINOS EN ACACIELLA ANGUSTISSIMA (MILL.) BRITTON & ROSE

The effects of different inorganic fertilizers and rhizobial inoculation on shoot height, total shoot and root dry weight, nodule number, total shoot nitrogen, nitrogenase activity and tannic acid content of Acaciella angustissima (Mill.) Britton & Rose were investigated in the laboratory. Seedlings were grown in a climate chamber in glass tubes containing sterilized mixture of vermiculite and peat moss, and treated with combinations of nitrogen (N) at 45 mg plant1, phosphorus (P) at 30 mg plant1, potassium (K) at 20 mg plant1 and inoculated with the bacterium Sinorhizobium mexicanum. The combined applications of N, P or K to uninoculated plants increased shoot height and dry weight as compared to the unamended plantlets. The tannin content in uninoculated plants was highest when amended with P+K. Treatment had a significant effect on plant growth, nodulation and tannin content varied. The plants treated with P + K + S. mexicanum had significantly longer shoot height, total shoot and root dry weight, nodule number, total shoot nitrogen, nitrogenase activity and tannic acid content in comparison with unamended plants. It was found that N reduced number of nodules, tannin content and nitrogenase activity of A. angustisisma. As such, farmers should refrain from applying N fertilizer, but could apply P and K to maximize tannin production in A. angustissima.Se investigaron en el laboratorio los efectos de diferentes fertilizantes inorgánicos y la inoculación rizobial sobre la altura de planta, peso seco total de planta, peso seco de raíz, el número de nodulos, el nitrógeno total de la planta, la actividad de la nitrogenasa y el contenido de ácido tánico de Acaciella angustissima (Mili.) Britton & Rose. Las plántulas fueron crecidas en una cámara climática en tubos de vidrio conteniendo una mezcla de vermiculita y turba, y tratadas con las combinaciones de nitrógeno (N) en 45 mg planta"1, fósforo (P) en 30 mg planta"1, potasio (K) en 20 mg planta"1 e inoculado con la bacteria Sinorhizobium mexicanum. La combinación de las aplicaciones de N, P o K en plantas sin inocular incrementa la altura y el peso seco de planta en comparación con las plantas sin tratamiento. El contenido de taninos en plantas no inoculadas fue el más alto cuando suplementamos con P+K. El tratamiento tuvo un efecto significativo sobre el crecimiento de planta, modulación y el contenido de tanino variado. Las plantas tratadas con P + K + S. mexicanum tuvieron significativamente mayor altura de planta, peso seco total de planta, peso seco de raíz, el número de nodulos, nitrógeno total de planta, actividad de la nitrogenasa y contenido de taninos en comparación con las plantas sin suplementar. Fue encontrado que el N reduce el número de nodulos, el contenido de taninos y la actividad de la nitrogenasa de A. angustisisma. Como tal, los agricultores deberían abstenerse de aplicar el fertilizante de N, pero podrían aplicar P y K para maximizar la producción de tanino en A. angustissima

Effect of vermicompost, worm-bed leachate and arbuscular mycorrizal fungi on lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.) growth and composition of its essential oil

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vermicompost, worm-bed leachate (WBL) and Glomus mosseae , an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), on growth of lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf). A response surface methodology, i.e. a three-level Box Benhen design with three repetitions and three blocks, was applied to optimize biomass production, essential oil yield and its composition. Application rates of Glomus mosseae were 0, 1 or 2 g plant-1, vermicompost 0, 5 or 10 g plant-1 and WBL 0, 10 and 20%. The AMF had no significant effect on the variables tested, but vermicompost had a significant effect on essential oil yield and WBL on essential oil yield, myercene concentration and shoot dry weigh (p < 0.05). It was found that lemongrass fertilized with 2.0 g G. mosseae, 5.0 g vermicompost and 20% worm-bed leachate would yield 0.797% essential oil of which 62.6% was citral