Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 Decreases Ochratoxin A Concentrations in Coffee Beans During Storage.

Microbial contamination of coffee beans arises from various factors such as harvesting, handling, and storage practices, during which ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing fungi develop and proliferate. The presence of elevated concentrations of OTA poses a serious health risk to coffee consumers. Therefore, the implementation of a post-harvest treatment involving the use of bacteria known to antagonize OTA-producing fungi constitutes a safe alternative for reducing or eliminating the toxin's concentration in coffee beans. In this study, coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) were inoculated with Bacillus licheniformis M2-7, after which we monitored fungal growth, in vitro antagonism, and OTA concentration. Our findings demonstrated that coffee beans inoculated with this bacterial strain exhibited a significant decrease in fungal populations belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, which are known to produce OTA. Moreover, strain M2-7 decreased the growth rates of these fungi from 67.8% to 95.5% (P < 0.05). Similarly, inoculation with B. licheniformis strain M2-7 effectively reduced the OTA concentration from 24.35 ± 1.61 to 5.52 ± 1.69 µg/kg (P < 0.05) in stored coffee beans. These findings suggest that B. licheniformis M2-7 holds promise as a potential post-harvest treatment for coffee beans in storage, as it effectively inhibits the proliferation of OTA-producing fungi and lowers the toxin's concentration.

Reproducción y limitaciones de pesca recomendadas para el caracol marino Hexaplex princeps (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) en Guerrero, México / Reproduction and recommended fishing limitations for the marine snail Hexaplex princeps (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) in Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract Introduction: The snail Hexaplex princeps is the most important gastropod in the fishery of Guerrero, but capture is not legally regulated for lack of enough studies about its reproduction, growth and other fishing aspects. Objective: To assess fishery data for H. princeps in Guerrero. Methods: From October 2016 to December 2017, we analyzed histological samples of the gonads from 6 to 13 individuals per month. We also collected data on pre-reproductive organisms captured in Costa Chica (2013 and 2014), Costa Grande (2017) and Acapulco (2019 and 2020). Results: Both sexes have five stages of gonadal development; most reproductive activity was from December to July, related to sea surface temperatures of 26 to 28 °C. The LC M in females was 94.1 mm (males: 86.1 mm). There was a high percentage of juvenile organisms in the catches (88.6 %). Conclusions: To let these snails reproduce at least once, we recommend a fishing ban from December to July, and that the minimum size of commercial capture be set at 94.1 mm.

Resumen Introducción: El caracol Hexaplex princeps es el gasterópodo más importante en la pesquería de Guerrero, pero su captura no está regulada legalmente por falta de suficientes estudios sobre su reproducción, crecimiento y otros aspectos de la pesca. Objetivo: Evaluar los datos de pesca de H. princeps en Guerrero. Métodos: De octubre 2016 a diciembre 2017, analizamos muestras histológicas de las gónadas de 6 a 13 individuos por mes. También recolectamos datos sobre organismos pre-reproductivos capturados en Costa Chica (2013 y 2014), Costa Grande (2017) y Acapulco (2019 y 2020). Resultados: Ambos sexos tienen cinco etapas de desarrollo gonadal; la mayor actividad reproductiva fue de diciembre a julio, relacionada con las temperaturas superficiales del mar, que se encuentran entre 26 y 28 °C. El LC M en hembras fue de 94.1 mm (machos: 86.1 mm). Hubo un alto porcentaje de organismos juveniles en las capturas (88.6 %). Conclusiones: Para que estos caracoles se reproduzcan al menos una vez, se recomienda una veda de diciembre a julio y que la talla mínima de captura comercial se fije en 94.1 mm.

Composición de la familia Fissurellidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) en el intermareal rocoso de las regiones marinas prioritarias en Guerrero, México / Composition of the family Fissurellidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the rocky intertidal zone of priority marine regions in Guerrero, Mexico

Resumen La información sobre los diversos aspectos ecológicos de interés de los moluscos gasterópodos en México es insuficiente, sobre todo en las regiones marinas prioritarias (RMPs), que la Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad ha decretado. En el estado de Guerrero existen cuatro RMPs. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la riqueza, abundancia, distribución, composición de tallas y la relación de la abundancia y longitud de las especies dominantes de la familia Fissurellidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda), con el tipo de sustrato y la intensidad del oleaje, que ha sido reportada como familia representativa del intermareal rocoso de Guerrero. Se trabajó en la zona intermareal rocosa de 23 sitios; las colectas se realizaron durante la marea baja; la unidad de muestreo fue de 1 m2; el área muestreada por sitio y por colecta fue de 10 m2. Los especímenes encontrados dentro de la unidad de muestreo se colectaron y preservaron en alcohol al 96 %. Se analizaron 1 669 especímenes, de los cuales, se identificaron 14 especies. Se reporta a Fissurella morrisoni como una nueva adhesión al listado de especies de esta familia en Guerrero. Fissurella nigrocincta registró la mayor abundancia con 1 043 organismos. Se determinó a Fissurella nigrocincta y Fissurella gemmata como de amplia distribución, al estar presentes en más del 90 % de los sitios. Fissurella gemmata registró la mayor longitud en concha. Las especies de mayor abundancia y longitud presentaron preferencias por un sustrato compuesto por macizos rocosos y grandes bloques, en donde la intensidad del oleaje es alta.

Abstract Information dealing with different ecological aspects of gastropod mollusks in Mexico is insufficient, especially in marine priority regions (MPRs) that have been determined by the National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity. In the state of Guerrero there are four MPRs. The aim of this research was to determine the richness, abundance, distribution, size composition and abundance and length relationship of the dominant species of the Fissurellidae family with the type of substrate and wave intensity (Mollusca: Gastropoda), which has been reported as representative family in the rocky intertidal zone in Guerrero. The work was carried out at 23 sites in the rocky intertidal zone. The specimens were collected at low tide and the sampling unit was 1 m2. The sampled area by site and collection was 10 m2. The specimens found within the sampling unit, were collected and preserved in 96 % alcohol. 1 669 specimens were analyzed; 14 species were identified. Fissurella morrisoni is reported as a new adhesion to the list of species of this family in Guerrero. Fissurella nigrocincta has the highest abundance with 1 043 agencies. It was determined that Fissurella. nigrocincta and Fissurella gemmata as species with wide distribution to be present in 90 % of sites. Fissurella gemmata has the greatest length in shell. The species with the greatest abundance and lengths have preferences for a substrate composed of rock masses and large blocks, where wave intensity is high.