The feasibility of obtaining resistant starch type III (RS3) from malanga flour (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), as an unconventional source of starch, was evaluated using the hydrothermal treatment of autoclaving. The physicochemical characterization of RS3 made from malanga flour was carried out through the evaluation of the chemical composition, color attributes, and thermal properties. In addition, the contents of the total starch, available starch, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch were determined by in vitro enzymatic tests. A commercial corn starch sample was used to produce RS3 and utilized to compare all of the analyses. The results showed that native malanga flour behaved differently in most of the evaluations performed, compared to the commercial corn starch. These results could be explained by the presence of minor components that could interfere with the physicochemical and functional properties of the flour; however, the RS3 samples obtained from malanga flour and corn starch were similar in their thermal and morphological features, which may be related to their similarities in the content and molecular weight of amylose, in both of the samples. Furthermore, the yields for obtaining the autoclaved powders from corn starch and malanga flour were similar (≈89%), which showed that the malanga flour is an attractive raw material for obtaining RS3 with adequate yields, to be considered in the subsequent research.

Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has a global distribution and is one of the most important post-harvest pests of maize (Zea mays L.). Some Mexican maize races could be a novel source of resistance against S. zeamais to improve commercial maize, generating lines, varieties, and hybrids with resistance to the pest. These are original races from the center of origin of maize and have been exposed to selection pressure from S. zeamais and other pests for thousands of years, which probably resulted in some type of resistance. We studied the resistance of Mexican maize races to S. zeamais focusing on antixenosis, antibiosis, and tolerance. Antibiosis reduces the survival and reproduction of the insect or prolongs the time between generations, whereas antixenosis reduces the rate of initial and successive accumulation of the insect population. Obligate-antibiosis and free-choice bioassays were performed, and in those experiments, resistance traits and the consumption by S. zeamais were measured. The most resistant accession showed high adult mortality and fewer adults in the 1st generation, where the number of emerged adults is an ideal trait to evaluate the level of maize resistance to the pest. Net consumption (in grams) is the most economically important trait because it indicates the gross amount lost in a store, while yield losses (percentage of consumption) allow for studying tolerance. The type of endosperm did have an influence on the resistance/tolerance to S. zeamais. The flint varieties showed significantly higher mortality of adults before entering the seed, a lower quantity of emerged adults of the first generation in the obligate-antibiosis bioassay, and lower net consumption and percentage in both bioassays. In general, the varieties of the races Cristalino de Chihuahua, Apachito, and Azul showed high levels of resistance, with the Cristalino-079 (flint) and Azul (floury) accessions also being tolerant, and low levels of consumption by S. zeamais. Both could be used in breeding programs to reduce losses caused by S. zeamais.

High molecular weight chitosan (≈322 kDa) was obtained from chitin isolated from Brachystola magna (Girard) to produced biodegradable films. Their physicochemical, mechanical and water vapor permeability (WVP) properties were compared against commercial chitosan films with different molecular weights. Brachystola magna chitosan films (CFBM) exhibited similar physicochemical and mechanical characteristics to those of commercial chitosans. The CFBM films presented lower WVP values (10.01 × 10⁻¹¹ g/m s Pa) than commercial chitosans films (from 16.06 × 10⁻¹¹ to 64.30 × 10⁻¹¹ g/m s Pa). Frankfurt-type sausages were covered with chitosan films and stored in refrigerated conditions (4 °C). Their quality attributes (color, weight loss, pH, moisture, texture and lipid oxidation) were evaluated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. Sausages covered with CFMB films presented the lowest weight loss (from 1.24% to 2.38%). A higher increase in hardness (from 22.32 N to 30.63 N) was observed in sausages covered with CFMB films. Compared with other films and the control (uncovered sausages), CFMB films delay pH reduction. Moreover, this film presents the lower lipid oxidation level (0.10 malonaldehyde mg/sample kg). Thus, chitosan of B. magna could be a good alternative as packaging material for meat products with high-fat content.

Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important post-harvest pests of maize Zea mays L. Some Mexican maize races (Z. mays) could be a novel source of resistance against S. cerealella to improve commercial maize varieties, lines and hybrids. We studied the resistance of Mexican maize races, recollected at Chihuahua State to S. cerealella. We focused on antibiosis and tolerance of maize to S. cerealella. Cristalino-079 maize race shows low level of consumption in grams and percentage, increased larvae mortality before to entering the seed. In addition, Cristalino-079 reduced first adult’s generation and show the largest biological cycle. Due to the small number of emerged adults, there was very little grain weight loss in resistant maize race. The compound that causes high mortality of larvae before to entering the grain is in the pericarp of resistant maize races. The compound that causes longest development time is in the endosperm and embryo. Cristalino-079 show the better level of resistance to S. cerealella infestation in almost all traits studied and this can be used as source of resistance for maize breeding.

‘Tepehuán‐RS’ (Reg. no. CV‐365, PI 706601), tested as line P‐SALTILLO×TA‐245‐1‐2‐4, is a new drought‐tolerant and slow darkening pinto bean cultivar ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Tepehuán‐RS showed high grain yield in low plant densities. It was jointly developed by INIFAP, Postgraduate College and Autonomous University of Chihuahua, released by INIFAP‐Sierra of Chihuahua Experimental Station. Bean is one of the most important crops in Mexico by sown area, with 1.4 million ha. The mean bean yield in Mexico is 520 kg·ha ⁻¹ in rainfed conditions. Production is considerably affected by two main problems, drought and low densities of sown and harvested plants. This sparse plant cover exposes the soil for a longer period, leading to increased water loss through evaporation and exacerbating drought stress. Tepehuán‐RS emerges as the superior variety in all environments studied during 2022 and 2023 with a mean yield of 2125.9 kg·ha ⁻¹ . While the control Pinto Saltillo showed a yield of 1818.4 kg·ha ⁻¹ , Tepehuán‐RS produced 12.9% more than Pinto Saltillo. When analyzing all environments with drought, in 2022 and 2023, Tepehuán‐RS was the best with a yield of 1645.7 kg·ha ⁻¹ . Under these conditions, Pinto Saltillo presented a yield of 1168.4 kg·ha ⁻¹ . Interestingly, Tepehuán‐RS surpassed the control by a remarkable 41.8%. This variety presents the best grain yield even at low plant densities and field irrigation‐drought experiments. Genetic markers and pathogen testing indicate Tepehuán‐RS has the I gene for resistance to Bean common mosaic virus , the Co‐4 ² gene for anthracnose resistance, and molecular marker Pvsd‐1157 linked to slow darkening gene sd sd of the seed coat.

Oat (Oa) and apple (Ap) starches were isolated and chemically modified by oxidation with 10% NaOCl to obtain oxidized starches (OOa and OAp), followed by cross-linking with a mixture of 5.6 g of sodium tripolyphosphate and 11 g of sodium trimetaphosphate to obtain doubly modified starches (OCOa and OCAp). In the native and modified starches, the functional properties (swelling power and solubility, and freeze-thaw stability) and thermal and rheological properties (steady-state flow curves and paste formation profile) were evaluated. The swelling power of native and double modified starches varied from 57 to 86 g/g and the solubility from 0.8 to 6.0 g/100 g, these variables increased as the study temperature increased; the increment in these properties was greater in Oa compared to Ap. Oxidation followed by crosslinking increased the freeze-thaw stability in Oa and Ap starches at 30, 60, 75, and 90 °C. It also increased the Tg of OCAp and OCOa ≈ 9% compared to the native samples, respectively; while an inverse pattern was observed in apparent viscosity were this value decreased ≈ 0.8 Pa × s for Oa and ≈ 0.5 Pa × s for Ap compared to the double modified samples. All samples presented a thinning cut-type behavior (pseudoplastic), indicating structural differences. Cross-linking in oxidized starches produced a reinforcing matrix that was determined in the paste formation profile. Dual modification (oxidation-cross-linking) could be an alternative for using starches from underused botanical sources, such as apples and oats, with different functional properties and feasible applications in food systems.