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

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

Totipotency of <i>Daucus carota</i> L. Somatic Cells Microencapsulated Using Spray Drying Technology

The carrot is considered a model system in plant cell culture. Spray drying represents a widely used technology to preserve microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts. In germplasm conservation, the most used methods are freeze drying and cryopreservation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of spray drying on the viability and totipotency of somatic carrot cells. Leaf, root and stem explants were evaluated to induce callus with 2 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Calli obtained from the stem were cultivated in a liquid medium with 1 mg/L of 2,4-D. Cell suspensions were spray dried with maltodextrin-gum Arabic and maltodextrin-xanthan gum mixtures, two outlet air temperatures (50 and 60 °C) and 120 °C inlet air temperature. Results showed that carrot cells were viable after spray drying, and this viability remained for six months at 8 °C. The totipotency of the microencapsulated cells was proven. Cells that were not spray dried regenerated 24.6 plantlets, while the spray dried cells regenerated 19 plantlets for each gram of rehydrated powder. Thus, spray drying allowed researchers to obtain viable and totipotent cells. This work is the first manuscript that reported the spray drying of plant somatic cells

MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF Ardisia compressa Kunth FROM NORTHEAST OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Background. Ardisia compressa Kunth, is a wild species native from tropical evergreen forests of Mexico, it produces fruits with phytochemical, ecological and dietary potencial. Its fruits are appreciated by people from local communities. However, in Mexico there are no studies that allow knowing the state of its phenotypic diversity. Objective. Characterize the morphological diversity of A. compressa populations from Chiapas state, Mexico. Methodology. Ninety individuals of nine wild populations of A. compressa were evaluated using 45 morphological traits (16 qualitative and 29 quantitative). The qualitative data were subjected to descriptive analysis and quantitative data were used in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and finally the qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed simultaneously by means of a multivariate analysis with the Ward-MLM Method. Results. The qualitative traits showed phenotypic variability in the characteristics of leaf and fruit color. The quantitative data showed significant differences (P≤ 0.05) in all traits evaluated. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (UPGMA) grouped the populations into three morphological groups differentiated by the similarity of the morphological traits of the populations and not by their geographical origin. Implications. The results in this study should be considered to implementing strategies of plant production and conservation of A. compressa. Conclusion. A wide phenotypic variability was found organized into three morphological groups defined base on characteristics of tree height, number of fruits, number of flowers and ratio of length to thickness leaf. The quantitative traits allowed us to observe the greatest morphological variability in the populations of A. compressa