Article biodiversity inside bottles: animals, fungi, and plants in traditional alcoholic drinks.

The use of animals, fungi, and plants as a source of bioactive compounds has been widely practiced in diverse cultures throughout the world, particularly in alcoholic drinks. The nature of the biological material, method of preparation and alcohol concentration play a predominant role in the extraction of bioactive compounds and the achievement of desired results. However, certain aspects must be considered to guarantee the innocuity of these drinks and reduce the risk of intoxication, infections and allergic reactions, aspects which are sometimes overlooked. In addition, the implications of using threatened or protected species must be considered to reduce the negative impact on their populations. The authors recommend the establishment of production systems which guarantee products with adequate quality controls and ensure the benefits to the consumer.

Piquin chili, a wild spice: natural variation in nutraceutical contents.

The piquin chili is a wild spice widely consumed from the South United States to Central America and stands out as a source of flavonoids, essential metabolites with antioxidant properties. The concentrations of flavonoids, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids vary according to regions, maturity stages, and ripening processes. These compounds, which are known for their health benefits and industrial applications, highlight the importance of identifying ideal environmental conditions for collecting fruits with the highest contents. Comprehensive studies of the piquin chili are essential for understanding its properties for the benefit of consumers. This approach fortifies trade, contributes to resource conservation, and advances cultivated chili production.

Evaluation of Resistance of Eleven Maize Races (Zea mays L.) to the Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus merganser, Boudreaux).

At least 59 maize races (Zea mays L.) have been registered in Mexico. The feeding damage caused by insects and mites to maize crops generates up to ~30% of maize yield losses. Spider-mite-resistant plants are needed. The red spider mite, Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux (Acari: Tetranychidae), is distributed in the United States, China, Mexico, and Thailand. It is considered a potential pest in Mexican agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance mechanisms (antixenosis and antibiosis) of 11 native maize populations, representative of each race of maize grown in Tamaulipas, Mexico, to T. merganser under laboratory conditions. The aim was also to obtain information on the chemical composition and some morphological characteristics of these maize races and to identify resistant maize races for incorporation into a breeding program. Antixenosis was assessed by non-preference for oviposition and feeding. Antibiosis was measured by growth rate (ri). The presence of secondary metabolites in the 11 maize races were different. In the 11 maize races, quantitative analysis of total phenol concentration, total flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant capacity were significantly different. The multivariate analysis of variance showed that there is evidence of antixenosis noted by maize race differences in egg laying and percentage feeding damage but not of antibiosis noted by growth rate. Red spider mites laid significantly more eggs on the Celaya (24 h: 25.67 ± 17.04, 48 h: 42.67 ± 26.86, 72 h: 49.33 ± 28.54) race than on Raton (24 h: 7.00 ± 5.00, 48 h: 12.67 ± 8.02, 72 h: 14.67 ± 9.29) and Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño (24 h: 9.67 ± 5.85, 48 h: 15.33 ± 10.69, 72 h: 17.67 ± 10.97) races. However, the growth rate and mortality of T. merganser in the 11 corn races were similar. The Vandeño (24 h: 11.67 ± 2.89, 48 h: 27.67 ± 7.64, 72 h: 30.00 ± 18.03) and Tabloncillo × Tuxpeño (24 h: 18.33 ± 7.64, 48 h: 25.00 ± 8.66, 72 h: 25.00 ± 8.66) races were the most resistant to red spider mite damage, whereas the most susceptible race was Celaya (24 h: 26.67 ± 15.28, 48 h: 48.33 ± 29.30, 72 h: 65.00 ± 30.00). Further analysis by PCA at 24, 48, and 72 h found the Celaya race positively correlated to growth rate and oviposition of T. merganser and to a lesser extent with the percentage of feeding damage, suggesting that the Celaya race was most susceptible to T. merganser. At 24 h, the Vandeño race was most resistant, given a negative correlation to growth rate and oviposition by T. merganser. The PCA at 48 and 72 h noted the Elotes Occidentales × Tuxpeño race was most resistant to red spider mite, with negative relationships to growth rate and oviposition and, to a lesser extent, to feeding damage. This resistance is due to the differences in both its morphological characteristics and the secondary metabolites present in their leaves.

Enriquecimiento del aceite comestible por compuestos fenólicos y antioxidantes de chile piquín (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) / Enrichment of edible oil by phenolic and antioxidant compounds of piquín chili (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum)

Resumen Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum presenta adaptaciones locales a distintas dinámicas antropocéntricas y ecológicas, por lo que ampliar sus usos alimenticios a partir de su potencial antioxidante permitirá contribuir al conocimiento para fortalecer cadenas de valor, robustecer su aprovechamiento y el consumo de plantas comestibles silvestres locales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue suplementar con chile piquín un aceite comestible comercial de cártamo y evaluar su capacidad antioxidante, a través de la determinación del contenido de compuestos fenólicos y mediante ensayos de captación de radicales libres ABTS+ y DPPH·, evaluados en: 1) la muestra de chile piquín a través de dos solventes de extracción y 2) en el aceite suplementado y sin suplementar a los 0 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d y 28 d posteriores a la preparación (DPP). El chile piquín presentó altos valores antioxidantes, el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) indicó que el extracto acuoso superó al hidroalcohólico. El ANOVA factorial mostró diferencias significativas en los tres parámetros antioxidantes evaluados. Estas disimilitudes se asociaron a la suplementación, tiempo (DPP) y la combinación de la suplementación y DPP. La suplementación del aceite de cártamo con C. annuum var. glabriusculum enriqueció 66 % su valor antioxidante. La comparación de medias mostró diferencias significativas en la combinación de tratamientos y DPP. La combinación de aceite suplementado y los DPP presentó variabilidad en los datos de polifenoles totales y habilidad contra ABTS+. Se observó una relación inversa entre los DPP y compuestos fenólicos totales y capacidad contra ABTS+, contrario a la prueba para DPPH·. Los resultados obtenidos validan que la adición de chile piquín incrementa la biofuncionalidad del aceite de cártamo y puede ser alternativa de fuente de antioxidantes naturales.

Abstract Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum presents local adaptations to different anthropocentric and ecological dynamics. Therefore, expanding its food uses based on its antioxidant potential will contribute to knowledge about ways to strengthen value chains, enhance their use and encourage the consumption of local wild edible plants. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of commercial edible safflower oil supplemented with piquín chili by determining the content of phenolic compounds and by assays of free radical scavenging in ABTS+ and DPPH·. The evaluation included: 1) the piquín chili sample through two extraction solvents and 2) the supplemented and unsupplemented oil at 0 d,7 d, 14 d, 21 d and 28 d after preparation (DPP). The piquín chili presented high antioxidant values. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the aqueous extract surpassed the hydroalcoholic extract. The factorial ANOVA showed significant differences in the three antioxidant parameters evaluated. These dissimilarities were associated with supplementation, time (DPP) and the combination of supplementation and DPP. Safflower oil supplementation with C. annuum var. glabriusculum enriched 66 % more its antioxidant value. The comparison of means showed significant differences in the combination of treatments and DPP. The combination of supplemented oil and DPP showed variability in total polyphenol data and ability against ABTS +. An inverse relationship was observed between DPP and total phenolic compounds, and capacity against ABTS +, contrary to the test for DPPH·. The results obtained validate the argument that the addition of piquín chili increases the biofunctionality of safflower oil and can be an alternative source of natural antioxidants.

Drying Effects on Phenolics and Free Radical-Scavenging Capacity of Rhus pachyrrhachis and Rhus virens Used in Traditional Medicine.

Rhus pachyrrhachis and Rhus virens are medicinal plant species with important uses in northeastern Mexico. They belong to a complex of Rhus species called "lantriscos", which are used for medicinal applications. The medicinal effects of these species are based on traditional use, however, they require phytochemical research to validate their medicinal properties, as well as structural characterization for their correct identification during the collecting practice and uses. The phytochemical potential of aqueous extracts from R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens was analyzed by the quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), free radical-scavenging potential, and total flavonoids, with a comparison of four drying methods, and some phenolic compounds were identified. Furthermore, the stems and leaves of both species were anatomically characterized to establish a differentiation. R. pachyrrhachis and R. virens showed similar values of phytochemical contents, although the TPC content (0.17 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight, GAE/g DW) was higher in R. virens. The drying method used affected the metabolite contents, and this behavior was related to the species. Regarding the phenolic compounds, shikimic acid, galloylquinic acid, and gallic acid were identified in both species, however, quinic acid was only found in Rhus pachyrrhachis, while vanillic acid O-hexoside was identified only in Rhus virens. At the anatomical level, the pubescence associated with trichomes on the leaves of Rhus pachyrrhachis was highlighted as the main differential characteristic.

Social and environmental factors in the diversity of tomato landraces from the South-Central region of Mexico / Influência de fatores sociais e ambientais na diversidade de variedades crioulas de tomateiro da região Centro-Sul do México

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we investigated the influence of social and environmental factors in the genetic diversity of tomato landraces in the South-Central region of Mexico. A total of 30 tomato landraces, collected in 18 villages with different ethnolinguistic affiliations, were analyzed. We reported that the genetic diversity of tomato landraces is associated with the ethnolinguistic group, weather, and soil-type present in the region studied. Our results showed that there are morphological differences between landraces grown by different ethnolinguistic groups; however, there was also evidence of morphological similarities between landraces from groups with different ethnolinguistic affiliations. Finally, different selection criteria, mainly fruit color, size and shape, plays an important role in the phenotypic divergence among landraces grown in different traditional farming systems.

RESUMO: No presente estudo investigamos a relação da afiliação etnolinguística com a diversidade genética de variedades locais de tomate na região Centro-Sul do México. Um total de 30 variedades de tomate, coletadas em 18 aldeias com diferentes afiliações etnolinguísticas, foram analisadas. Verificamos que a diversidade genética das variedades crioulas de tomate está associada ao grupo etnolinguístico presente na região estudada. Nossos resultados mostram que existem diferenças morfológicas entre raças cultivadas por diferentes grupos etnolinguísticos. No entanto, também houve evidências de semelhanças morfológicas entre raças de grupos com diferentes afiliações etnolinguísticas. Finalmente, diferentes critérios de seleção, como, principalmente, cor, tamanho e forma dos frutos, desempenham um papel importante na divergência fenotípica entre as variedades crioulas cultivadas em diferentes sistemas agrícolas tradicionais.

Free Radical-Scavenging Capacities, Phenolics and Capsaicinoids in Wild Piquin Chili (Capsicum annuum var. Glabriusculum).

The total phenolic compounds content, free radical-scavenging capacity and capsaicinoid content in populations of wild Piquin chili (C. annuum) were studied. Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts from nine ecotypes were evaluated. High contents of phenolic compounds and free radical-scavenging capacities were observed for both extracts; however, the values that were found for the hydroalcoholic phase were substantially higher. LC-MS analysis allowed for the detection of 32 compounds, where apigenin-8-C-glucoside followed by vanillic acid 1-O-ß-o-glucopyranosylester (Isomer I or II) and 7-ethoxy-4-methylcoumarin were the most widely distributed; they were found in more than 89% of the ecotypes. The diversity of identified phenolic compounds was different among ecotypes, allowing them to be distinguished by chemical diversity, free radical-scavenging capacities and heat Scoville units. The total capsaicinoid content was higher in Population I (23.5 mg/g DW) than in Populations II and III, which had contents of 15.3 and 10.7 mg/g DW, respectively. This variability could lead to phytochemical exploitation and the conservation of the natural populations of wild chili.