The effects of Canna indica (P1), Pontederia sagittata (P2), and Spathiphyllum wallisii (P3) growing in different filter media materials (12 using porous river rock and 12 using tepezyl) on the seasonal removal of pollutants of wastewater using fill-and-drain constructed wetlands (FD-CWs) were investigated during 12 months. Three units of every media were planted with one plant of P1, P2, and P3, and three were kept unplanted. C. indica was the plant with higher growth than the other species, in both filter media. The species with more flower production were: C. indica > P. sagittate > S. wallisii. Reflecting similarly in the biomass of the plants, C. indica and P. sagittata showed more quantity of aerial and below ground biomass productivity than S. wallisii. With respect to the removal efficiency, both porous media were efficient in terms of pollutant removal performance (p > 0.05). However, removal efficiency showed a dependence on ornamental plants. The higher removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrates (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium (NH₄⁺-N), and phosphates (PO₄⁻³-P) oscillated between 81% to 83%, 80% to 84%, 61% to 69%, 61% to 68%, 65% to 71%, 62% to 68%, and 66% to 69%, respectively, in P1 and P2, removals 15% to 30% higher than P3. The removal in planted microcosms was significantly higher than the unplanted control units (p = 0.023). Nitrogen and phosphorous compounds were highly removed (60%–80%) because in typical CWs, such pollutant removals are usually smaller, indicating the importance of FD-CWs on wastewater treatments using porous river rock and tepezyl as porous filter media. (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), (NO₃⁻-N), (NH₄⁺-N), (TKN), and (PO₄⁻³-P).

Objective: To evaluate the sustainability of four agroecosystems in the state ofVeracruz, Mexico: sugarcane, maize grain, orange and moringa.Design/Methodology/Approach: Producers that provided information about thecrops’ management were located. Semi-structured interviews were conducted toidentify critical points affecting sustainability, and the indicators were weighted usingthe bottom-up criterion and the PSR model.Results: The most sustainable crop was moringa, and the least sustainable wasmaize for grain. Conventional crops are characterized by being monocultureplantations and demanding large amounts of non-renewable external inputs thatundermine their sustainability. Lack of technical training for producers was identifiedas a critical point.Study Limitations/Implications: The results obtained are limited to the analysis offour production systems and their environmental, social and economic dimensions.Findings/Conclusions: Moringa is presented as an alternative crop with lowenvironmental impact that generates employment and strengthens social capital.

Objective: This research aimed to identify variations in areas with agroecological potential for Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringa) cultivation, derived from the effects of climate change to the near horizon of 2039 in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: The future scenario considered the current agroecological potential in the State and the general circulation model (GCM) HADGEM2-ES for the RCP8.5 scenario projected to the near future, 2039, with five categories: Very High, High, Medium, Low, and Very Low potential. Results: An area with a Very High category of 1,057,415 hectares (ha) was identified, which corresponds to an expansion of 4.9% with respect to the current size. It was determined that climate change favors the cultivation of Moringa in three areas of the state. The most significant variation with an increase in the Very High category (115.58%) was identified in southern Veracruz, followed by the central area (110.17%). The greatest decrease (-4.53%) occurred in the north of the state. Limitations on study/implications: Only the regions with Very High potential were identified, without considering those with High, Medium, Low, and Very Low agroecological potential. Findings/conclusions: The projections under climate change conditions to the horizon of 2039 highlight the expansion of regions with Very High potential for cultivating the species in 19% of the Veracruz territory.

The production of Moringa oleifera capsules has emerged as a promising agricultural activity in Mexico, driven by the plant’s well-documented health and nutritional benefits. In response, farmers have begun producing Moringa oleifera as a dietary supplement, using artisanal methods with minimal production controls. This study aimed to estimate the processing times of the Moringa oleifera production system using simulation modeling with Arena^® software and to evaluate the economic feasibility of capsule production. Methodologically, it was approached as a case study in the state of Veracruz, and processing times were estimated through systematic sampling and modeled with Arena simulation software. Three simulation scenarios were considered to select a technically and economically viable alternative for agricultural producers, as follows: one with a 200-capsule encapsulator (1E200C), another with two 200-capsule encapsulators (2E200C), and a third with an 800-capsule encapsulator (1E800C). For the initial diagnosis, a research stay was conducted for 180 days, and the production capacity was set at 24,000 capsules due to raw material limitations. Results indicated that the 1E800C scenario reduced processing time by 60% compared to the 1E200C scenario and by 35% compared to the 2E200C scenario. Additionally, the 1E800C model required only Arena simulation software version 162 days (16 h) of work, while the 2E200C required 4 days (32 h) and the 1E200C required 7 days (56 h). In terms of production costs per unit of 90 capsules, the 1E200C was USD 3.93, the 2E200C was USD 3.64, and the 1E800C was USD 3.45. This study concluded that due to raw material limitations, the company can produce 12,800 units of 90 capsules per year. It is recommended to adopt the 1E800C encapsulator, which would lower the overall production costs by 12.23%, representing USD 0.48 per unit produced and resulting in an additional profit of USD 6150.50. Over a five-year evaluation period, the benefit–cost ratio was 5.03, the NPV was 922,370.11, and the IRR was 42.09%, indicating that this type of agribusiness in Mexico is both technically and economically feasible.

Objective: Identify the appropriate climatic conditions for drying, as well as validate the optimal procedure for solar dehydration and protein content in Moringa leaves from cultivars from producers in the state of Veracruz. Design/methodology/approach: The study period of this research was carried out from october 2022 to september 2023. The plant material came from cultivars located in the Capital region and the Sotavento region, from the municipalities of Emiliano Zapata and Veracruz. The Dumas combustion method was applied. Moisture loss (PH) was determined using the gravimetric method, which involved measuring the change in the weight of the sample before and after drying it to calculate the moisture content. In the bromatological analysis (BA), the Acid Hydrolysis method was used and it was quantified using the liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique to determine the nutritional composition of the foods. Results: In the months of March, April and May, the relative humidity registered a low level, which is beneficial for the efficient operation of the dehydrator and accelerates the dehydration process. The results of the bromatological analysis reveal small differences in the contents of ash, protein, crude fiber and fat in the Moringa leaves of the municipalities studied. Limitations on study/implications: The study period was less than one year. Findings/conclusions: It was found that Moringa leaves from the municipality of Emiliano Zapata have a higher protein, crude fiber and fat content than that from Veracruz. However, both are superior to other Moringa cultivars from the State of Veracruz.

Las setas (Pleurotus ostreatus var. Columbinus) son productos alimentarios de alta perecibilidad por su alto contenido de humedad. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el proceso de deshidratación de setas empleando un deshidratador cilíndrico portátil de diseño propio en la región de Veracruz, México. El estudio se llevó a cabo durante un periodo de 10 horas, del 6 al 7 de junio de 2024. Se realizó un monitoreo de variables de temperaturas internas del equipo y la ambiental, la cinética de pérdida de humedad, la composición bromatológica del producto final y la aceptación sensorial por parte de un panel de evaluadores. Los resultados revelaron que el deshidratador mantuvo una temperatura interna promedio de 35 °C, significativamente superior a la temperatura ambiental que fluctuó entre 28.3 °C y 32.3 °C. Se observó que la zona inferior del deshidratador presentaba las temperaturas más elevadas, lo que corrobora una convección natural efectiva y asegura un secado homogéneo. El análisis de la cinética de secado mostró una notable pérdida de humedad del 91.5% en 10 horas. La composición bromatológica del producto deshidratado evidenció un 33.0% de proteínas, 28.0% de fibra cruda y 1.0% de grasa, valores que superan los reportados para setas deshidratadas. La evaluación sensorial indicó una alta aceptación del producto deshidratado. Estos hallazgos sugieren que el uso de deshidratadores solares por convección natural es una alternativa viable y sustentable para el manejo postcosecha de P. ostreatus, contribuyendo al desarrollo rural y a la soberanía alimentaria en el estado de Veracruz.