Productivity and flavor of diverse genotypes of Ustilago maydis "cuitlacoche" for human consumption.

Maize plants infected by Ustilago maydis develop galls known as "cuitlacoche", a food product appreciated in the Mexican gastronomy. The virulence of different U. maydis isolates was assessed, as well as the development of the infection on one commercial maize variety. Sporidia were isolated of wild galls collected in Mexico. Sexual compatibility patterns were determined using the Fuzz reaction, showing a 1:1:1:1 segregation of mating type specificities. Ten U. maydis compatible strains were selected on the basis of their virulence, namely: four wild-type compatible sporidia, one multi-teliosporic strain, two hybrids between wild-type and tester strains, and three tester strains. Maize plants of a commercial hybrid (Tornado XR™) were inoculated with these strains of U. maydis, using a randomized complete block experimental design. Phenological and phenotypic characteristics of plants, as well as production, quality and sensory attributes of the resulting galls, were evaluated. Greater yields of galls were recorded in tester strains (incidence >90 %, severity >80 %, productivity >12 t/ha), a hybrid strain (EM1-6 × FB1) [incidence 82.6 %, severity 51.8 %, productivity 5.6 t/ha] and a wild-type strain (EM4-10 × EM2-4) [incidence 68.2 %, severity 44.0 %, productivity 4.8 t/ha]. Wild-type strains showed better flavor, characterized by less bitterness and acidity, but prevailing sweet, umami and maize flavor.

Hypocholesterolemic Properties and Prebiotic Effects of Mexican Ganoderma lucidum in C57BL/6 Mice.

Edible and medicinal mushrooms contain bioactive compounds with promising effects on several cardiovascular risk biomarkers. However, strains of Ganoderma lucidum of Mexican origin have not yet been studied. Standardized extracts of G. lucidum (Gl) were given to C57BL/6 mice fed a high-cholesterol diet compared with the drug simvastatin. The effects of the extracts on serum biochemical parameters, liver lipid content, cholesterol metabolism, and the composition of gut microbiota were assessed. Acetylsalicylic acid (10 mM) added to the cultivation substrate modulated properties of Gl extracts obtained from mature basidiomata. Compared to the high-cholesterol diet group, the consumption of Gl extracts significantly reduced total serum cholesterol (by 19.2% to 27.1%), LDL-C (by 4.5% to 35.1%), triglyceride concentration (by 16.3% to 46.6%), hepatic cholesterol (by 28.7% to 52%) and hepatic triglycerides (by 43.8% to 56.6%). These effects were associated with a significant reduction in the expression of lipogenic genes (Hmgcr, Srebp1c, Fasn, and Acaca) and genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport (Abcg5 and Abcg8), as well as an increase in Ldlr gene expression in the liver. No significant changes were observed in the gene expression of Srebp2, Abca1 or Cyp7a1. In several cases, Gl-1 or Gl-2 extracts showed better effects on lipid metabolism than the drug simvastatin. A proposed mechanism of action for the reduction in cholesterol levels is mediated by α-glucans and ß-glucans from Gl, which promoted decreased absorption of cholesterol in the gut, as well as greater excretion of fecal bile acids and cholesterol. The prebiotic effects of Gl-1 and Gl-2 extracts modulated the composition of gut microbiota and produced an increase in the Lactobacillaceae family and Lactobacillus genus level compared to the control group, high-cholesterol diet group and group supplemented with simvastatin. Mexican genetic resources of Gl represent a new source of bioactive compounds showing hypocholesterolemic properties and prebiotic effects.

El efecto de la cafeina sobre el crecimiento e intracruzamiento de Pleurotus Ostreatus en el laboratorio / Effect of caffeine on the growth and intrastock matings of Pleurotus Ostreatus in the laboratory

Se investigó el comportamiento de 2 cepas mexicanas y 2 extranjeras de Pleurotus ostreatus (Jac. ex Fr.) Kumm., en medio de cultivo de agar con extracto de malta a 28-C, al cual se le adicionó cafeína en 11 concentraciones diferentes (de 0.001 a 2.00 mg/ml). También bajo las mismas condiciones, se realizaron intracruzamientos de monospóricos compatibles de las cepas. La velocidad de crescimiento de las cepas estudiadas, se vió ligeramente estimulada en concentraciones de cafeína de 0.001-0.06 mg/ml con respecto al testigo; mientras que de 0.250-2.00 mg/ml el crescimiento del micelio se limitó progresivamente hasta ser completamente inhibido. La cafeína no inhibió el intracruzamiento de los monospóricos compatibles, los cuales se dicariotizaron normalmente. Estos resultados sugieren que la cafeína no es asimilada cocmo tal por el micelio del hongo

Cultivo de diversas cepas mexicanas de Pleurotus ostreatus sobre pulpa de cafe y paja de cebada / Cultivation of several Mexican strains of Pleurotus ostreatus on coffee pulp and barley straw

Se cultivaron 10 cepas mexicanas de PlPleurotus ostreatus sobre pulpa de café y paja de cebada, las cuales se aislaron a partir de especímenes que crecían en forma silvestre sobre diversos substratos en al región de Xalapa. Ver. Las cepas variaron en cuanto a la producción de cuerpos fructíferos frescos y eficiencia biológicas obtenidas se registraron con la cepa INIREB-21 (138.13%) en la pulpa de café y con la cepa INIREB-26 (96.04%) en la paja de cebada. El tiempo para producir los primeros primordios de fructificación y para el desarrollo completo de los cuerpos fructíferos, fué menor en paja de cebada que en pulpa de café