Studies on fermentation by acid lactic bacteria (LAB) have confirmed the presence of strains with attributes of considerable relevance for food processing. These strains, in addition to their ability to modify the texture and flavor of foods, possess beneficial properties for human health. They enhance food quality by making it more nutrient-rich and contribute to food preservation. The production of lactic acid, vitamins, exopolysaccharides, and bacteriocins, among other compounds, confers these properties to LAB. In the realm of preservation, bacteriocins play a crucial role. This is because bacteriocins act by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of unwanted microorganisms by interacting with the cell membrane, causing its rupture. This preservative effect has led LAB to have widespread use during food processing. This preservative effect has led to widespread use of LAB during food processing. This review highlights the importance of fermentation carried out by LAB in the food industry and in the bio-preservation of foods. These findings emphasize the relevance of continuing investigations and harness the properties of LAB in food production.

Polyphenols are a broad group of bioactive phytochemicals with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral activities. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polyphenol extracts obtained from natural sources can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Pomegranate peel extract is an excellent source of polyphenols, such as punicalagin, punicalin, ellagic acid, and caffeic acid, among others. These phenolic compounds have antineoplastic activity in in vitro models of cervical cancer through the regulation of cellular redox balance, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and modulation of different signaling pathways. The current review summarizes recent data from scientific reports that address the anticancer activity of the predominant polyphenol compounds present in PPE and their different mechanisms of action in cervical cancer models.

Flourensia cernua DC, commonly known as hojasen or tarbush, is a medicinal plant used in arid regions due to its therapeutic properties, especially in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of a polyphenolic extract obtained from F. cernua. This research involved both in vitro (hemolytic and brine shrimp assay) and in vivo tests (acute oral toxicity) to determine the safety profile of this extract. The extract was obtained through a novel ultrasound‐microwave extraction and purified by ion‐exchange chromatography. Analysis of the polyphenolic extract revealed a rich composition of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly apigenin glycosides. In toxicity tests, the polyphenols did not exhibit toxicity towards Artemia salina at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Furthermore, incubation at 500 μg/ml for 4 hours showed a slight toxic effect on erythrocytes. In the acute oral toxicity test in mice, doses of 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg did not result in animal mortality, indicating that the LD₅₀ exceeds 2000 mg/kg. However, the higher dose induced signs of toxicity, including lethargy, drowsiness, piloerection, and a significant decrease in weight during the initial two days postadministration of the polyphenolic extract. In addition, histological analysis suggested potential kidney damage at the 2000 mg/kg dose. According to OECD guidelines, while the extract can be classified as category 5 (low acute toxicity) due to the absence of mortality at 2000 mg/kg, the observed signs of toxicity should be considered in the overall risk assessment. These findings highlight the potential of F. cernua in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications due to its high polyphenolic content. However, further investigations are necessary to explore the specific effects of the compounds present in the extract. In addition, continuous evaluation of its long‐term toxicity is essential to fully understand the extract’s safety profile and efficacy.

Aim: The Andean tubers Ullucus tuberosus and Arracacia xanthorrhiza are of great international importance due to their nutritional value (carbohydrates, fiber), functional and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to determine the proximate composition of the flours of these tubers, their functional properties, and the phenolic profiles of both the skin and the pulp, since the flour used is a mixture of both. Methods: The proximal characteristics were determined as established by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), the functional properties, water holding capacity (WHC), swelling capacity (SC), and oil holding capacity (OHC); and the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Results: Results revealed that the tubers contain more than 50% carbohydrates, with U. tuberosus having 14% fiber and A. xanthorrhiza having 4.07% fiber. Notably, they are rich in minerals, such as potassium (K), with levels of 4.12% and 3.32% for U. tuberosus and A. xanthorrhiza, respectively. In terms of functional properties, U. tuberosus exhibited a WHC of 0.78 g water/g dry matter (DM), an SC of 1.42 g water/g DM, and an OHC of 0.44 g oil/g DM. In contrast, A. xanthorrhiza showed a WHC of 0.96 g water/g DM, an SC of 3.86 g water/g DM, and an OHC of 0.18 g oil/g DM. Additionally, the study identified various hydroxycinnamic acids, including caffeic acid 4-O-glucoside and p-coumaroyl glucose, as well as methoxyflavonols, such as 3,7-dimethylquercetin. Conclusions: These characteristics suggest that the flours could be valuable for the production of bakery products, pastries, pastas, or foods requiring high viscosity. Furthermore, U. tuberosus and A. xanthorrhiza flours have potential applications in the development of functional foods, thus promoting their use and adding value to these tubers produced in the Andean region.

Campylobacter fetus is an important venereal pathogen of cattle that causes infertility and abortions. It is transmitted during mating, and it travels from the vagina to the uterus; therefore, an important cell type that interacts with C. fetus are endometrial epithelial cells. Several virulence factors have been identified in the genome of C. fetus , such as adhesins, secretion systems, and antiphagocytic layers, but their expression is unknown. The ability of C. fetus to invade human epithelial cells has been demonstrated, but the ability of this microorganism to infect bovine endometrial epithelial cells has not been demonstrated. Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were isolated and challenged with C. fetus . The presence of C. fetus inside the endometrial epithelial cells was confirmed by the confocal immunofluorescence. C. fetus was not internalized when actin polymerization was disturbed, suggesting cytoskeleton participation in an internalization mechanism. To evaluate the intracellular survival of C. fetus , a gentamicin protection assay was performed. Although C. fetus was able to invade epithelial cells, the results showed that it did not have the capacity to survive in the intracellular environment. This study reports for the first time, the ability of C. fetus to invade bovine endometrial epithelial cells, and actin participation in this phenomenon.