Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are devices capable of converting chemical energy into electrical energy using microorganisms as catalysts. These systems have been extensively studied at the laboratory level, but, due to multiple difficulties, their large-scale implementation has been explored only sparingly. This study presents the most recent technological advances for scaling up BESs. In the same way, the main technical and economic challenges that hinder the correct implementation of these systems at a large scale are mentioned. The study concludes with a review of successful case studies in scaling up BESs and discusses future directions and emerging trends.

Weeds decrease yield in crops through competition for water, nutrients, and light. Due to the circumstances mentioned above and the challenge of the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds, developing sustainable alternatives becomes imperative. Plant extracts formulated into nano- and micro-encapsulates (NPs) emerge as a viable option for weed management. The objectives of this study were to identify phytochemical compounds within the ethanolic extracts of Carya illinoinensis, Ruta graveolens, and Solanum rostratum; determine their pre-emergence herbicidal activity on the indicator plants Sorghum bicolor and Phaseolus vulgaris; produce and characterize NPs with plant extracts; and assess their phytotoxicity under greenhouse conditions. The extracts were provided by Greencorp Biorganiks de México. Phytochemicals were identified through colorimetric assays and HPLC-MS, while pre-emergence tests were conducted in vitro, assessing concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50% for each extract. NPs were synthesized using the ionotropic pre-gelation method, with size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) being characterized. Finally, post-emergence tests were carried out in a greenhouse with seedlings. Compounds belonging to the hydroxycinnamic acid, flavonol, methoxyflavonol, hydroxybenzoic acid, methoxyflavone, tyrosol, stilbene, and lignan families were identified in all extracts. The pre-emergence herbicidal activity was observed for all extracts, with germination percentages ranging from 0 to 41% in both indicator plants. NPs exhibited sizes between 290 and 345 nm, zeta potentials ranging from −30 to −35 mV, and EE up to 94%. Finally, enhanced herbicidal activity was observed with plant extract NPs, with the species S. bicolor being more susceptible. NPs containing plant extracts are a viable option for bioherbicide production; however, continued research is necessary to refine formulations and enhance efficacy.

Plant extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) contain phytochemical compounds (PCs). Nevertheless, PCs can be degraded when applied on field. The use of nano-encapsulates (NEs) and micro-encapsulates (MEs) arise as an alternative to the application of botanical products. However, NEs and MEs with PCs in plant disease control have not been explored enough. This review discusses the use of PCs for plant disease control and the benefits obtained from formulations with NEs and MEs; furthermore, it discusses methods to produce NEs and MEs.

Biopesticides represent a safe and sustainable strategy for biological pest management, applicable to weed and fungal control. Biotechnological processing offers a promising approach to enhance the bioactivity of natural products for agricultural use. In this study, guishe juice, an agroindustrial residue derived from Agave lechuguilla, was bioprocessed via inoculation with Fusarium chlamydosporum, and its fungicidal and herbicidal potentials were evaluated. The fungal biotransformation led to the accumulation of phytochemicals, including flavonoids and polyphenols, significantly enhancing antioxidant activity to 76% and 96% as measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The resulting bioprocessed guishe extract (BGE), particularly at 10% concentration (BGE-10), exhibited strong fungicidal activity, achieving 100% control of phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. Additionally, BGE-10 demonstrated a bioherbicidal effect, with a 77% weed control rate against Verbesina encelioides. These findings emphasize the potential of bioprocessed agave residues as dual-action bioagents, supporting the development of novel, eco-friendly agricultural solutions.

Orange peel is an abundant by-product of the citrus industry and a significant source of phenolic compounds with potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. However, many of these compounds are bound or glycosylated, with low bioavailability. The objective of this study was to release and biotransform polyphenols from orange peels through solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus niger. A Box–Hunter and Hunter experimental design was employed in which the inoculum size (1 × 10⁶–1 × 10⁸ spores/g) and the concentrations of KCl and MgSO₄ (0.76–1.56 g/L) were evaluated as independent factors to assess their effects on the release of hydrolyzable and condensed tannins. After 12 days of fermentation at 28 °C, the resulting extracts were analyzed using colorimetric methods and HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. The results showed significant increases in tannin release, reaching up to 220.63 mg CE/g of condensed tannins, and compounds such as ferulic acid, epicatechin, and quercetin derivatives were identified in the extracts. In conclusion, solid-state fermentation is a strategy for valorizing citrus waste and generating polyphenolic extracts with potential functional and industrial value.

Los herbicidas químicos para control de malezas, representa un problema en la actualidad, ya que su uso indiscriminado causa la aparición de poblaciones resistente de malezas, además de afectar el medio ambiente y la salud humana. Por lo que los metabolitos secundarios de microrganismos (MSMs) y los extractos vegetales (EVs) en formulaciones micro-nano encapsulados (NPs) surgen como una posible alternativa al uso de herbicidas de síntesis química, razón por la cual dilucidar su mecanismo de acción es necesario para entender los cambios bioquímicos que estos inducen en las plantas, para poder desarrollar estrategias de control de malezas. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes fenilalanina amonio liasa (PAL), peroxidasa (POD) y super oxido dismutasa (SOD) en plantas de Sorghum bicolor, tratadas con metabolitos secundarios de Alternaria sp. (MSAs) y un extracto vegetal de Solanum rostratum (EVSR) solos y formulados en NPs a base de los biopolímeros alginato y quitosan. El estudio se realizó durante el mes de junio del año 2024, para esto se utilizaron plantas de S. bicolor y se determinó la actividad de las enzimas durante 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 y 48 h. Se pudo observar que los NPs cargados con el EVSR y los MSAs fueron los que indujeron mayor actividad enzimática a distintos tiempos, alcanzando 0.36 y 0.34 U mol-1 respectivamente en el caso de PAL, 4.7 y 4.3 U mol-1 con la enzima POD, y 7.3 y 6.5 U mol-1 con SOD. Se concluye que los MSAs y el EVSR formulados en NPS tiene potencial como agentes que pueden modificar los procesos bioquímicos en plantas.