Lectins are a diverse class of proteins distributed extensively in nature. Among these proteins; legume lectins display a variety of interesting features including antimicrobial; insecticidal and antitumor activities. Because lectins recognize and bind to specific glycoconjugates present on the surface of cells and intracellular structures; they can serve as potential target molecules for developing practical applications in the fields of food; agriculture; health and pharmaceutical research. This review presents the current knowledge of the main structural characteristics of legume lectins and the relationship of structure to the exhibited specificities; provides an overview of their particular antimicrobial; insecticidal and antitumor biological activities and describes possible applications based on the pattern of recognized glyco-targets.

Currently, silver nanoparticles have boomed in food and medicine due to their potential applications, such as antibacterial and anticancer activity. These nanoparticles have been synthesized by several techniques; however, green synthesis has taken on greater importance due to the non‐generation of toxic residues. Green synthesis has been constructed from plant parts; however, the new trend comprises the use of agri‐food waste extracts, known as sustainable green synthesis. The use of agri‐food waste reduces environmental pollution and confers on its added value. The main waste generated is found in agricultural crops and industry from fruits and vegetables, cereal, bagasse from the food industry, and alcoholic beverages, oil cake of the oil industry, among others. The main biomolecules in agri‐food waste extracts include phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and proteins, whose function is to reduce the agents of the silver ion. Therefore, the objective of this review was to promote the use of agri‐food waste for the sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application as antibacterial and anticancer agents.

Echinometra vanbrunti is an echinoid found in abundance in the eastern Pacific, including the Gulf of California in Mexico. The aim of this study is to document its annual reproductive cycle from monthly sampling. Growth, condition and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were determined from morphometric data. Additionally, sex ratio and morphology of sea urchin gonads and their gametes were analysed by histology and microscopy. The growth pattern of E. vanbrunti was allometric. The monthly variations of GSI are explained by gonad condition and the gametogenesis cycle. An annual reproductive cycle was observed with higher GSI from July–September and the highest percentage of females and males in the mature stage in the same period. Gonad histology agreed with this single gametogenic cycle per year, and gametogenesis in males and females being highly synchronized in this species. Spawning period started in July and ended in November for both sexes.