All instars of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith & Abbot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were collected in maize (corn) fields in 5 localities of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, in 2014, with the main objectives of identifying its natural enemies and estimating the level of parasitism. Larvae were maintained under controlled conditions, fed with artificial diet, and observed daily until the emergence of parasitoids, until the appearance of mycosis, nematodes, or typical symptoms of baculoviral infection, or until they reached adulthood. Out of 5,870 larvae collected, 1,068 were attacked by natural enemies (parasitoids and entomopathogens), representing a total incidence of 18.2%. The incidence of parasitism by parasitoids was 8.1%, and parasitoids emerged from 5.8% of the larvae. The parasitoids found were: Chelonus insularis Cresson and Meteorus arizonensis Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae); Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron), Campoletis flavicincta (Ashmead), Pristomerus sp. (Hymenopter... Resumen Se recolectaron larvas de todos los instares de gusano cogollero Spodoptera frugiperda Smith & Abbot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), en parcelas de maíz, en 5 localidades del estado de Chihuahua, México en el 2014, con el objetivo de identificar a sus enemigos naturales y estimar el nivel de parasitismo. Las larvas fueron mantenidas bajo condiciones controladas, alimentadas con dieta artificial, y observadas diariamente hasta la emergencia de parasitoides, la aparición de micosis, nematodos, síntomas típicos de infección viral o hasta que llegaron a la etapa adulta. De 5,870 larvas recolectadas, 1,068 fueron atacadas por enemigos naturales (parasitoides y entomopatógenos), representando una incidencia del 18.2%. La incidencia de parasitismo causada por parasitoides fue de 8.1%, y emergió el 5.8% de las larvas. Se encontraron los himenópteros parasitoides: Chelonus insularis Cresson, Meteorus arizonensis Muesebeck (Braconidae), Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron), Campoletis flavicincta (Ashmead), Pristomeru...

The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize flours and starches from the avocado seeds of Hass and landrace cultivars. The morphological, physical-chemical, structural, thermal and rheological characteristics were evaluated. The flour yield of the Hass and landrace cultivars was 41.56 to 46.86% (w/w), while for starch, it was 35.47 to 39.57% (w/w) (cv. Hass and landrace, respectively). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of oval starch granules and other particles in flour, in contrast to flours, starches showed lower ash, proteins and lipids content. However, the amylose content was higher in starches (42.25–48.2%). Flours showed a higher gelatinization temperature (T_p = 73.17–73.62 °C), and their starches presented greater gelatinization enthalpy (∆H_gel = 11.82–13.43 J/g). All samples showed a B-type diffraction pattern, and the crystallinity was higher in the flours. The rheological analysis (flow curves and viscoelastic tests) evidenced a pseudoplastic (n = 0.28–0.36) behavior in all samples analyzed, but the consistency index (k) was higher in starches. In general, the flours and starches from avocado seeds presented interesting proximal, thermal and functional properties for possible application in food systems, and these findings could contribute to the revaluation of this by-product.

Native starch was isolated from two corn landraces (blue and white) and a hybrid variety and then characterized for its physicochemical, thermal and rheological properties. The hybrid variety showed the highest starch yield, with its starch showing the highest fat, moisture and protein content but the lowest onset temperature of gelatinization. The hybrid corn starch also showed the highest G’ and G” values. The tested starches showed similar T_p, T_c, and ΔH values. The amylose contents ranged from 21.5 to 22.4%, with starch from blue corn showing the highest amylose content. All starches were white, with L values ranging from 93.6 to 99.5. The light absorbance of the starch gels increased with storage time. The obtained results demonstrated that the physicochemical, thermal and rheological properties of corn starch are highly dependent on the corn type.

Apple starch films were obtained from apples harvested at 60, 70, 80 and 90 days after full bloom (DAFB). Mechanical properties and water vapor permeability (WVP) were evaluated. The apple starch films at 70 DAFB presented higher values in the variables of tensile strength (8.12 MPa), elastic modulus (3.10 MPa) and lower values of water vapor permeability (6.77 × 10⁻¹¹ g m⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) than apple starch films from apples harvested at 60, 80 and 90 DAFB. Therefore, these films were chosen to continue the study incorporating ellagic acid (EA). The EA was added at three concentrations [0.02% (FILM-EA0.02%), 0.05% (FILM-EA0.05%) and 0.1% (FILM-EA0.1%) w/w] and compared with the apple starch films without EA (FILM-Control). The films were characterized by their physicochemical, optical, morphological and mechanical properties. Their thermal stability and antioxidant capacity were also evaluated. The FILM-Control and FILM-EA0.02% showed a uniform surface, while FILM-EA0.05% and FILM-EA0.1% showed a rough surface and insoluble EA particles. Compared to FILM-Control, EA modified the values of tensile strength, elasticity modulus and elongation at break. The antioxidant capacity increased as EA concentration did. EA incorporation allowed obtaining films with higher antioxidant capacity, capable of blocking UV light with better mechanical properties than film without EA.