<!--Galleys --> <!--Full Text:--> PDF <!--END GALLEYS---> Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mushroom meal supplementation, Pleurotus djamor var. roseus (Pd), on the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), on hematological parameters and growth performance for 60 days. Nile tilapia fingerlings (3.23 ± 0.19 g) were fed with three experimental diets based on the mushroom meal in different percentages: diet 0% control (MM0), diet 15% (MM15), diet 20% (MM20) and diet 25% (MM25). Blood samples from the fish of all treatments were collected at the start of the experiment (day 0), 30 and 60 days. The weight and size of the fish were determined every 15 days (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The results showed a significant dose-dependent increase in the levels of erythrocytes count and leukocytes count. The groups that showed significant differences in the basal value and the final control result were hematocrit, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte. An increase in lymphocytes proportion and a decrease in neutrophils were found, which was related to the immune response of fish fed the diet. The highest levels of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and low neutrophils were presented in the diet with 15 and 20% (P < 0.05). The growth (weight gain and specific growth rate) of fish fed MM15 and MM20 of Pd in the diet was higher than the control group (P > 0.05). Dietary supplementation (15 and 20%) improved hematological and defense blood cells, as well as the growth of tilapia.

The infection caused by Ustilago maydis, commonly called huitlacoche, appears in regions of Mexico that produce corn (Zea mays) during seasonal conditions. The infection leads to form galls with high levels of proteins, amino acids, and minerals, providing important benefits to nutrition, and it is also becoming relevant due to its high commercial value, becoming a potential crop for Mexico, Central America, and the United States. The objectives of the present investigation are to evaluate the potential yield per hectare (Kg ha⁻¹) based on the incidence percentage (PI), and severity index (ISE) in eight genotypes of corn, as well as performing proximal chemical analysis and mineral element analysis with the galls obtained via inoculation of the MA-Um1 strain of U. maydis. The experimental unit is made up of eight subgroups of 250 plants here, considering four hybrid and four Creole genotypes of corn used by producers in open fields in Nopalucan, Puebla, Mexico. The Creole creamy-white corn achieved the highest production of huitlacoche (12,759.21 Kg ha⁻¹) here, obtaining an incidence percentage of 73.90%; the highest caloric content (39.90 Kcal per 100 g of fresh mushroom) was recorded in the galls produced from the Asgrow Hawk hybrid, while the highest concentration of zinc (2.33 mg per 100 g) was presented by the AS-722 hybrid.

The fungus Ustilago maydis produces galls or tumors on corn ears called corn smut or huitlacoche. Used for human consumption in several countries for its nutritional and sensory traits, huitlacoche is considered a delicacy in Mexican cuisine and has a significant economic value. Hybrid U. maydis strains are regularly used for the large-scale production of huitlacoche; however, depending on the genetic characteristics of the parent strains, the pathogenicity and infection rate of hybrid fungi are often suboptimal due to compatibility issues between different strains. Using double-loaded organisms is common in agriculture to improve product characteristics, performance, and shelf-life. A methodology to obtain unicellular U. maydis strains with a double genetic load (n + n) capable of producing galls on corn ears without mating (hybridization) is reported herein. This methodology resulted in 206 U. maydis isolates. Screening showed that 147 corn plants (>70%) underwent infection and gall production. Of the 147 gall-producing U. maydis strains, those with the highest field performance were selected. Three strains, Um-UAEMor-78 (yielding 21.65 ton/ha), Um-UAEMor-120 (22.31 ton/ha), and Um-UAEMor-187 (22.99 ton/ha), showed higher yields than the control strain, CP-436(a1b1) × CP-437(a2b2) (17.80 ton/ha). A specific methodology to obtain unicellular U. maydis strains with a double genetic load capable of infecting baby corn ears and forming galls is described for the first time, providing a novel alternative for producing huitlacoche and helping to improve the yields and morphological traits of galls.

In this work, the potential use of Neolentinus lepideus extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic media was investigated, together with its prospects as a renewable and biologically derived corrosion-control material for potential industrial applications. To achieve this, an experimental investigation was conducted using gravimetric measurements, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results demonstrated that the N. lepideus extract effectively suppressed the corrosion of 1018 carbon steel, with the inhibition efficiency increasing progressively with extract concentration and reaching a maximum value of 89% at 400 ppm. The potentiodynamic polarization curves revealed no evidence of passive film formation and indicated that the extract acted as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor, with a more pronounced influence on the cathodic reaction. In the absence of the inhibitor, the corrosion process was predominantly governed by charge-transfer reactions and remained essentially under the same control mechanism upon the addition of 400 ppm of Neolentinus lepideus extract. However, at lower concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm, the corrosion process appeared to be affected by the adsorption and desorption of intermediate species at the steel/solution interface. The incorporation of Neolentinus lepideus extract into the corrosive medium resulted in an increase in the charge-transfer resistance and a concomitant decrease in the double-layer capacitance, supporting the formation of a protective interfacial film on the steel surface. The inhibitory action of the extract may be associated with its content of phenolic compounds, amides, and polysaccharides, whose heteroatoms and functional groups can interact with the steel surface and contribute to the formation of a protective adsorbed layer. The calculated Gibbs free energy values of adsorption (ΔG_ads), which were less negative than −20 kJ mol⁻¹, indicated that the adsorption of Neolentinus lepideus constituents onto the steel surface was predominantly physical in nature. Furthermore, the adsorption process was satisfactorily described by the Freundlich isotherm, suggesting heterogeneous adsorption involving surface sites with different adsorption energies.

Gathering and consumption of wild edible mushrooms are traditional practices in Mexico, influenced by the local culture of indigenous communities. In the Mestiza community of El Salto, municipality of Puente de Ixtla, Morelos, Mexico, traditional knowledge promotes the use and management of natural resources for meeting nutritional, economic, social, cultural, and environmental needs. Main mushroom species are gathered in the community for consumptions or marketing, involving women and men in the processes of collecting, consuming, cleaning, and selling. The traditional consumption of mushrooms supported healthy eating patterns, and Lactarius volemus was found to be a species of the most cultural importance (i.e., the highest frequency of mentioning in the interviews). Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of L. volemus extracts were analyzed and described. L. volemus showed significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 355.63 μg/mL, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity of 742.13 μg/mL, as well as bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. Analyses of the minimal inhibitory concentration showed a high degree of susceptibility; the most potent minimal bactericidal concentration was 28.94 mg/mL recorded against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae. Strategies for promoting mushroom consumption in indigenous and peasant communities, based on local cultural traditions, are discussed.