En la actualidad, los estudios en harinas de maíces nativos pigmentados en México son escasos, lo que limita su uso potencial en la industria alimentaria. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar las propiedades nutricionales, fisicoquímicas, funcionales, compuestos fenólicos y actividad antioxidante de harinas de tres accesiones de maíz azul nativo de México. La metodología empleada fue la siguiente: las accesiones de maíz se secaron y molieron con malla de 0.5 mm. Se evaluó la composición nutrimental, las propiedades fisicoquímicas, las propiedades funcionales, los compuestos fenólicos y la capacidad antioxidante. Los resultados mostraron que las harinas presentan alto contenido de proteína (8.37-9.10%), carbohidratos (76.61-77.50%), grasas (3.97-4.13%), cenizas (1.09-1.16%) con bajo contenido de humedad (8.16-9.52%). Presentaron valores de actividad de agua de 0.36-0.40, sólidos solubles totales de 1.33-1.83 °Brix, pH de 6.32-6.43 y acidez titulable de 0.19%, sus atributos de color corresponden a la escala azul-gris. Las harinas contienen fenoles solubles (10.68-17.14 mg EAG g-1), flavonoides (12.16-17.71 mg ECAT g-1) y antocianinas (0.28-0.36 mg EC3G g-1) que presentan actividad antioxidante por ABTS (17.63-24.66 mM ET g-1), FRAP (11.18-30.01 mM ET g-1) y DPPH (21.99-22.87 mM ET g-1). Muestran solubilidad en agua de 5.70-6.92%, absorción de agua de 2.15-2.37%, absorción de aceite de 4.65-4.76%, así como capacidad emulsificante de 9.45-12.76% y espumante de 11.75-16.81%. En conclusión, las harinas de maíces nativos de color azul de México tienen gran potencial para utilizarse como ingredientes en la elaboración de alimentos y bebidas con propiedades funcionales.

Maize plays a crucial role in global nutrition and food security, with Mexico making a significant contribution through its diverse native corn genotypes. However, research on flours derived from these native maize genotypes remains limited, hindering their potential applications in food manufacturing. This study aimed to determine the nutritional, physicochemical, techno-functional, structural, and antioxidant properties of corn kernel flours from nine native Mexican maize accessions cultivated in the highlands of Jalisco. Enough cobs for each maize accession were randomly selected to yield 1000 g of corn kernels. Data analysis was conducted by analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis tests (α = 0.05). Moreover, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were performed. Native corn kernel flour (NCKF) demonstrated higher protein and fat content compared to white hybrid corn flour (WHF). While both flours showed similar pH, titratable acidity, and water activity levels, NCKF exhibited higher total soluble solids. Additionally, NCKF showed superior techno-functional properties, including water solubility, water absorption index, swelling power, emulsifying capacity, and foaming capacity, while its oil absorption index was comparable to that of WHF. Moreover, NCKF contained higher levels of bioactive compounds, such as soluble phenols, condensed tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, along with enhanced antioxidant properties, as measured by FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. FTIR analysis revealed that all NCKF samples exhibited patterns similar to those of WHF with differences in transmittance intensities. Notably, spectral differences were identified by PCA, while HCA demonstrated that corn flours exhibited similitudes and differences among them, which can be categorized into four groups based on their nutritional, physicochemical, and technological–functional properties, as well as antioxidant compound contents. Overall, the evaluated corn flours displayed nutritional, physicochemical, techno-functional, and antioxidant properties for the potential development of functional or nutraceutical food and beverage products.

Aim: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represent critical neurological disorders that have emerged as significant health concerns in the 21st century. The pharmacological interventions currently employed to manage these diseases demonstrate limited efficacy and some adverse side effects. Historically, natural products have been used to develop therapeutic agents targeting neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to apply in silico techniques to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of capsaicin as a possible alternative treatment or coadjutant phytotherapy for PD and AD. Methods: We obtained target genes for capsaicin, PD, and AD from the HERB database, the Swiss Target Prediction database, the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and matched them. Subsequently, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network and performed enrichment analysis of the common targets. Then, the interactions of capsaicin with the proteins with the highest degree were tested using molecular docking. The stability of the complexes was verified using molecular dynamics techniques. Results: A total of 25 targets were found in common from the databases for capsaicin, AD, and PD. The enrichment analysis revealed that proteins from these targets influenced integrin activity in the IGF1-IGF1R complex, cholinesterase activity, and dopamine neurotransmitter receptor activity, all of which are coupled via protein Gi/Go, among other cellular processes. From the protein-protein interaction network, we identified the hub proteins IL6, GSK3B, CASP, BCL2, ESR1, SIRT1, NGF, IGF1, and HMOX1. Furthermore, molecular docking studies between hub proteins and capsaicin showed strong binding affinity. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations support a stable interaction between capsaicin and SIRT1, ESR1, HMOX1, and NGF. Conclusions: This work contributes to understanding the neuroprotective activity of capsaicin in PD and AD. However, these bioinformatic predictions require further experimental validation.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana, a succulent herbaceous plant in the Crassulaceae family from Madagascar, has gained global popularity as an ornamental and medicinal species. This review examines the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological properties, toxicological aspects, and regulatory challenges of K. daigremontiana. The traditional medicinal uses of its leaves and roots include treating burns, rheumatic disorders, hypertension, diabetes, kidney pain, diarrhea, cough, fever, gastric issues, anxiety, inflammation, and cancer. Chemical compounds identified include phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, sterols, terpenes, and fatty acids, with phenolic compounds and bufadienolides being predominant. In vitro studies of the crude extracts, bufadienolide-rich fractions, and isolated compounds have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anti-aging, cytotoxic, antitumoral, and antiproliferative properties. In vivo studies have demonstrated hepatoprotective, skincare, and cardiac-glycoside-like effects. While crude extracts and bufadienolide-rich fractions have shown toxic effects in 2-week-old chicks, guinea pigs, and Artemia salina, no toxicity has been reported in goats, broiler chickens, laying hens, or human erythrocytes. Although K. daigremontiana-based products are commercially available as dietary supplements with various health claims, these lack scientific validation. Despite the potential pharmaceutical applications of K. daigremontiana, further research is needed to determine its effects, dosage, mechanisms, long-term safety, and side effects, with clinical studies essential to validate its therapeutic potential.

Las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC), forman parte de nuestra vida diaria y los recursos digitales son usados en diferentes ámbitos como el académico. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el grado de alfabetización digital de los estudiantes de la licenciatura en Agronegocios del Centro Universitario de la Ciénega sede La Barca. Se empleó un diseño metodológico cuantitativo, descriptivo, no experimental y transversal. La muestra fue de 76 estudiantes y se consideró un nivel de confianza del 95% y un error alfa del 5% para calcularla. Se utilizó el instrumento diseñado y validado por Gutiérrez-Castillo que consta de 44 ítems y está conformado por seis dimensiones. Prácticamente el 100% de los encuestados tienen un elevado conocimiento en el uso de las TIC y no les costaría mucho esfuerzo adaptarse a las nuevas tecnologías emergentes.

The demand for sustainable nutrients and bioactive compounds has increased interest in underutilized wild plants. Forestiera tomentosa, a Mexican drupe-bearing species, is largely unexplored. This study evaluated the proximate composition, physicochemical and functional properties, phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity, and toxicological safety of F. tomentosa fruit. The fruit showed high carbohydrate content [71.94% dry weight (DW)], with notable crude fiber (7.90% DW), protein (7.39% DW), and lipid (4.30% DW) contents. Analysis revealed a mildly acidic pH (5.66), titratable acidity of 0.32%, and total soluble solids of 2.33 °Brix. The fruit powder had a low water activity (0.42) and a favorable water solubility index (56.10%), oil absorption (4.54%), and foaming capacity (19.71%). The fruit contained high levels of soluble phenols (280.42 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (98.89 mg CE/g DW), anthocyanins (54.53 mg C3G/g DW), and condensed tannins (94.05 mg CE/g DW). High-performance liquid chromatography identified 20 phenolic compounds, with 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, syringic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and gallocatechin being predominant. The fruit showed significant radical scavenging and reducing potential (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). Toxicological evaluation using the Artemia salina bioassay showed a 100% survival rate across all concentrations, indicating no acute toxicity. In silico ADMET predictions revealed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including high intestinal absorption and compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five. These findings position F. tomentosa as a promising, non-toxic source of functional ingredients for the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource utilization. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential health benefits of this fruit in vitro and in vivo.