Chemical Characterization of Plant Extracts and Evaluation of their Nematicidal and Phytotoxic Potential.

Nacobbus aberrans ranks among the "top ten" plant-parasitic nematodes of phytosanitary importance. It causes significant losses in commercial interest crops in America and is a potential risk in the European Union. The nematicidal and phytotoxic activities of seven plant extracts against N. aberrans and Solanum lycopersicum were evaluated in vitro, respectively. The chemical nature of three nematicidal extracts (EC50,48h ≤ 113 µg mL-1) was studied through NMR analysis. Plant extracts showed nematicidal activity on second-stage juveniles (J2): (≥87%) at 1000 µg mL-1 after 72 h, and their EC50 values were 71.4-468.1 and 31.5-299.8 µg mL-1 after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Extracts with the best nematicidal potential (EC50,48h < 113 µg mL-1) were those from Adenophyllum aurantium, Alloispermum integrifolium, and Tournefortia densiflora, which inhibited L. esculentum seed growth by 100% at 20 µg mL-1. Stigmasterol (1), ß-sitosterol (2), and α-terthienyl (3) were identified from A. aurantium, while 1, 2, lutein (4), centaurin (5), patuletin-7-ß-O-glucoside (6), pendulin (7), and penduletin (8) were identified from A. integrifolium. From T. densiflora extract, allantoin (9), 9-O-angeloyl-retronecine (10), and its N-oxide (11) were identified. The present research is the first to report the effect of T. densiflora, A. integrifolium, and A. aurantium against N. aberrans and chemically characterized nematicidal extracts that may provide alternative sources of botanical nematicides.

Origin, structural characteristics, prevention measures, diagnosis and potential drugs to prevent and COVID-19. / Origen, características estructurales, medidas de prevención, diagnóstico y fármacos potenciales para prevenir y controlar COVID-19.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019). This disease was detected in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. People infected with COVID-19 shows varying manifestations, depending on their health and age. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, myalgia, fatigue, odynophagia, and dyspnea. Infected adults older 60 years of age are the group of patients most susceptible to severe COVID-19 states and present comor-bidity in the presence of chronic diseases. On the other hand, it is also essential to have tests to detect SARS-COV-2 in people and follow the evolution of COVID-19 quickly, reliably, and cheap. To achieve this, there are real-time reverse transcription pol-ymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, isothermal nucleic acid amplification, and enzyme immunostimulation. Currently, there are no drug treatments to prevent infection and to combat the virus's effects. However, different research groups that are conduct-ing in vitro, in vivo, and in silico tests to find drugs able to provide an immune response and to control infection in humans with SARS-CoV-2. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, interferon-2b, and oseltamivir are some pharmacological options evaluated in clinical trials for prophylaxis of COVID-19. The purpose of this review is to establish a reference framework for taxonomic classification of SARS-CoV-2 and the relationship they have with other CoVs, as well as their structure and propaga-tion pathways in humans. The characteristics and symptoms presented by patients with COVID-19, the detection methods, and possible treatments are also presented.

El síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) es responsable de la enfermedad denominada COVID-19 (acrónimo del inglés Coronavirus Disease-2019). Esta enfermedad fue detectada inicialmente en la ciudad de Wuhan, China en diciembre de 2019. Las personas contagiadas con COVID-19 presentan síntomas variados, dependiendo de su estado de salud y edad. Los síntomas más comunes son fiebre, tos, mialgia, fatiga, odinofagia y disnea. También se ha observado que en algunos pacientes, la infección es asintomática. Los adultos mayores de 60 años infectados son el grupo de pacientes más susceptibles a desarrollar estados severos de COVID-19 y se presenta comorbilidad en presencia de enfermedades crónicas. Por otra parte, también es importante disponer de pruebas que permitan detectar al SARS-COV-2 y seguir la evolución de COVID-19 de forma rápida, confiable y barata. Para lograr esto, existen pruebas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RT-PCR), de amplificación isotérmica de ácido nucleico y de inmunoestimulación enzimática. Actualmente, no existen tratamientos para la prevención del contagio y combatir los efectos del virus en la salud humana. Sin embargo, en el mundo hay grupos de investigación que están realizando pruebas in vitro, in vivo e in silico para encontrar fármacos que sean capaces de prevenir y/o controlar la infección en humanos con SARS-CoV-2. La cloroquina, hidroxicloroquina, remdesivir, interferon-2b y oseltamivir son algunas de las opciones farmacológicas que están siendo evaluadas en pruebas clínicas para la profilaxis de COVID-19. El objetivo de la presente revisión consiste en establecer un marco de referencia de la clasificación taxonómica del SARS-CoV-2 y la relación que guardan con otros coronavirus, así como su estructura y forma de propagarse en el ser humano. También se presentan las características y síntomas de pacientes con COVID-19, los métodos de detección y potenciales tratamientos.

Characterization of pectin extracted under mild conditions from tempesquistle (Sideroxylon palmeri) fruit at two maturity stages.

BACKGROUND: le tree (Sideroxylon palmeri) belongs to family Sapotaceae, and its fruits contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic gums. Aim of this study was to develop an extraction method for pectin, a hydrophilic gum, from green and ripe tempesquistle fruit. The extraction method was gentle to minimize potential structural changes in pectin, a maceration was used, and then pectin precipitation was induced with acetone at room temperature. Pectin characterization was carried out in two steps. The first step consisted of qualitative tests of Molisch, Fehling and Lugol. The second step consisted of quantitative tests to determine esterification degree (ED) by ATR-FTIR and D-galacturonic acid (D-GalA) content with a colorimetric assay. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic method revealed that green and ripe tempesquistle fruit have an ED of 0% and 30.4%, respectively. Both fruit have a low ED pectin. The content of D-GalA in green and ripe pectins was 18.8 ±2.7% and 20.2 ±0.6%, respectively. The yield obtained in green and ripe fruit samples was 1.6 ±0.2% and 3.0 ±0.1%, respectively. The extraction method allowed two types of pectins obtained in function of maturity stage of tempesquistle fruit distinguishable by. METHODS: istle tree (Sideroxylon palmeri) belongs to family Sapotaceae, and its fruits contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic gums. Aim of this study was to develop an extraction method for pectin, a hydrophilic gum, from green and ripe tempesquistle fruit. The extraction method was gentle to minimize potential structural changes in pectin, a maceration was used, and then pectin precipitation was induced with acetone at room temperature. Pectin characterization was carried out in two steps. The first step consisted of qualitative tests of Molisch, Fehling and Lugol. The second step consisted of quantitative tests to determine esterification degree (ED) by ATR-FTIR and D-galacturonic acid (D-GalA) content with a colorimetric assay. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic method revealed that green and ripe tempesquistle fruit have an ED of 0% and 30.4%, respectively. Both fruit have a low ED pectin. The content of D-GalA in green and ripe pectins was 18.8 ±2.7% and 20.2 ±0.6%, respectively. The yield obtained in green and ripe fruit samples was 1.6 ±0.2% and 3.0 ±0.1%, respectively. The extraction method allowed two types of pectins obtained in function of maturity stage of tempesquistle fruit distinguishable by ATR. RESULTS: istle tree (Sideroxylon palmeri) belongs to family Sapotaceae, and its fruits contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic gums. Aim of this study was to develop an extraction method for pectin, a hydrophilic gum, from green and ripe tempesquistle fruit. The extraction method was gentle to minimize potential structural changes in pectin, a maceration was used, and then pectin precipitation was induced with acetone at room temperature. Pectin characterization was carried out in two steps. The first step consisted of qualitative tests of Molisch, Fehling and Lugol. The second step consisted of quantitative tests to determine esterification degree (ED) by ATR-FTIR and D-galacturonic acid (D-GalA) content with a colorimetric assay. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic method revealed that green and ripe tempesquistle fruit have an ED of 0% and 30.4%, respectively. Both fruit have a low ED pectin. The content of D-GalA in green and ripe pectins was 18.8 ±2.7% and 20.2 ±0.6%, respectively. The yield obtained in green and ripe fruit samples was 1.6 ±0.2% and 3.0 ±0.1%, respectively. The extraction method allowed two types of pectins obtained in function of maturity stage of tempesquistle fruit distinguishable by ATR-FTIR.

Origen, características estructurales, medidas de prevención, diagnóstico y fármacos potenciales para prevenir y controlar COVID-19 / Origin, structural characteristics, prevention measures, diagnosis and potential drugs to prevent and COVID-19

El síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) es responsable de la enfermedad denominada COVID-19 (acrónimo del inglés Coronavirus Disease-2019). Esta enfermedad fue detectada inicialmente en la ciudad de Wuhan, China en diciembre de 2019. Las personas contagiadas con COVID-19 presentan síntomas variados, dependiendo de su estado de salud y edad. Los síntomas más comunes son fiebre, tos, mialgia, fatiga, odinofagia y disnea. También se ha observado que en algunos pacientes, la infección es asintomática. Los adultos mayores de 60 años infectados son el grupo de pacientes más susceptibles a desarrollar estados severos de COVID-19 y se presenta comorbilidad en presencia de enfermedades crónicas. Por otra parte, también es importante disponer de pruebas que permitan detectar al SARS-COV-2 y seguir la evolución de COVID-19 de forma rápida, confiable y barata. Para lograr esto, existen pruebas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RT-PCR), de amplificación isotérmica de ácido nucleico y de inmunoestimulación enzimática. Actualmente, no existen tratamientos para la prevención del contagio y combatir los efectos del virus en la salud humana. Sin embargo, en el mundo hay grupos de investigación que están realizando pruebas in vitro, in vivo e in silico para encontrar fármacos que sean capaces de prevenir y/o controlar la infección en humanos con SARS-CoV-2. La cloroquina, hidroxicloroquina, remdesivir, interferon-2b y oseltamivir son algunas de las opciones farmacológicas que están siendo evaluadas en pruebas clínicas para la profilaxis de COVID-19. El objetivo de la presente revisión consiste en establecer un marco de referencia de la clasificación taxonómica del SARS-CoV-2 y la relación que guardan con otros coronavirus, así como su estructura y forma de propagarse en el ser humano. También se presentan las características y síntomas de pacientes con COVID-19, los métodos de detección y potenciales tratamientos.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019). This disease was detected in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. People infected with COVID-19 shows varying manifestations, depending on their health and age. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, myalgia, fatigue, odynophagia, and dyspnea. Infected adults older 60 years of age are the group of patients most susceptible to severe COVID-19 states and present comor-bidity in the presence of chronic diseases. On the other hand, it is also essential to have tests to detect SARS-COV-2 in people and follow the evolution of COVID-19 quickly, reliably, and cheap. To achieve this, there are real-time reverse transcription pol-ymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, isothermal nucleic acid amplification, and enzyme immunostimulation. Currently, there are no drug treatments to prevent infection and to combat the virus's effects. However, different research groups that are conduct-ing in vitro, in vivo, and in silico tests to find drugs able to provide an immune response and to control infection in humans with SARS-CoV-2. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, interferon-2b, and oseltamivir are some pharmacological options evaluated in clinical trials for prophylaxis of COVID-19. The purpose of this review is to establish a reference framework for taxonomic classification of SARS-CoV-2 and the relationship they have with other CoVs, as well as their structure and propaga-tion pathways in humans. The characteristics and symptoms presented by patients with COVID-19, the detection methods, and possible treatments are also presented.

Productivity and Antioxidant Activity of Wild, Reconstituted, and Hybrid Strains of the Pink Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus djamor (Agaricomycetes), from Mexico.

The genus Pleurotus is the third most commonly produced edible fungi in the world. In addition, species of genus Pleurotus have functional properties such as anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, which are mainly attributed to phenolic compounds. For these reasons, this study evaluated the productivity and antioxidant activity (AA) of 2 wild strains (white and pink), 2 reconstituted strains (called "BB" and "RR"), and 4 hybrid strains (H1, H2, H3, and H4) of P. djamor from monokaryotic components (neohaplonts). The results showed that the white wild-type strain and the reconstituted strains exhibited the best production potential, expressed as biological efficiency and mycelial growth rate. The carpophores of hybrid strains H1 and H3 had the greatest AA, as evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, respectively. The H3 strain had the highest total phenol (TP) content. Pearson correlations led us to conclude that the mycelial growth rate has a regular inverse correlation with TP and a regular direct correlation with AA of methanolic extracts from carpophores and myce-lia. This is, to our knowledge, the first report in the literature about the effect of Pleurotus strain hybridization through a chemical de-dikaryotization process on TP content.

Natural antioxidant extracts as food preservatives.

The food industry is becoming more specialized and processing methods are continuously being developed to meet consumer needs. Consumers demand products that are safe and preferably free of synthetic additives. These additives are associated with health effects, in most cases without reasonable justification. Consequently, consumers are looking for clearly labelled products that guarantee the absence of synthetic additives. This has led to the need to search for natural additives, which the food industry claims arenatural antioxidant preservatives. The sources of natural antioxidants can be extremely varied, because practically all plants contain antioxidants that allow them to protect themselves from solar radiation and pests, as well as to regulate the production of chemical energy. However, the best alternatives for the food industry are fruits and spices, because they are already foods themselves. This article will describe fruits and spices considered as important sources of phenolic antioxidants. The main medicinal properties are related to phenolic compounds and their uses as additives, depending on their chemical structure.

Effect of crude plant extracts from some Oaxacan flora on two deleterious fungal phytopathogens and extract compatibility with a biofertilizer strain.

The antimicrobial activity of 12 plant extracts was tested against the phytopathogens Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani. In addition, the compatibility of the extracts toward Bacillus liqueniformis, a biofertilizer and a non-target microorganism, was assessed. Plants tested belong to the Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Crassulaceae, Rubiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Verbenaceae, Orchidaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Boraginaceae, and Tiliaceae families and were collected in the State of Oaxaca. The antifungal activity of the plant extracts (50-100 mg/mL) against A. alternata and F. solani, was determined by measuring the mycelium radial growth and obtaining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fungal growth. In addition, with the aim of finding plant extracts which are compatible with a B. licheniformis biofertilizer strain and to test the non-toxic nature of the treatments, the toxicity of the extracts toward this strain was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. Azoxystrobin (12 µg) and chloramphenicol (30 µg) were used as positive controls for the pathogens and for the non-target bacteria, respectively. Plant extracts inhibited fungal growth in the ranges of 0.76-56.17% against F. solani and 2.02-69.07% against A. alternata. The extracts of Acalypha subviscida, Ipomoea murucoides, Tournefortia densiflora and Lantana achyranthifolia showed MIC values between 5.77-12.5 mg/mL for at least one of the fungal species. The best treatment, Adenophyllum aurantium, exhibited a maximum inhibition for both F. solani (56.17%, MIC = 7.78 mg/mL) and A. alternata (68.64% MIC = 7.78 mg/mL), and resulted innocuous toward B. licheniformis. Therefore, this plant has an outstanding potential for the agroecological control of fungal phytopathogens in industrial crops.