Background: Water deficit and salinity are common conditions in arid agro-ecosystems. Hypothesis: Salinty increases the hydric stress effect on the yield and gel quality of Aloe vera. Study species and data description: In A. vera plants the variables meassured were: plant height, leaf length, width, and thickness, fresh biomass, the relative content of water, total solids, gel percentage, and harvest index. Study site and dates: The study was conducted from spring to summer 2020 in Bermejillo, Durango, Mexico. Methods: A split-block experimental design with four replications was used. The large plots were two soil moisture contents: field capacity (18.5 ± 2.5 %) and permanent wilting point (12.5 ± 2.5 %). The small plot was the salinity, with levels: 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mM of NaCl. Results:Water deficit and salinity reduced the width and thickness of leaves and, consequently, the fresh biomass and gel percentage were reduced, but gel quality increased. Conclusions: Water deficit and salinity, mainly the latter, reduced plant growth and leaves, and therefore, the yield of fresh biomass and gel. Although gel yield was reduced, its quality was enhanced, in terms of high total solids content.

High-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) is a non-thermal processing technology with the potential to modify the functionality of plant-derived materials. This study evaluated the effect of HIUS on the techno-functional properties, rheology, phenolic profile, aloin content, and antioxidant activity of Aloe vera gel at 11, 28, and 43 W/cm² for 2.5, 5, and 7.5 min. HIUS reduced swelling capacity from 284.92 mL/g in the untreated sample by up to ~60%, while water retention capacity increased from 45.62 g/g to values close to 90 g/g. Fat adsorption capacity reached its highest value at 28 W/cm² for 5 min (~60 g/g). Rheological analysis confirmed shear-thinning behavior and a marked viscosity reduction after sonication, with zero-shear viscosity ranging from 0.055 to 0.569 Pa·s. Total phenolic content decreased from ~6.0 mg GAE/g dm in the untreated gel to 2.6–3.3 mg GAE/g dm after HIUS. Aloin showed a non-linear response, increasing from ~43 to ~48 mg/g at 28 W/cm² when processing time increased from 2.5 to 5 min, followed by an approximately 20% decrease at 7.5 min. Antioxidant activity ranged from 31 to 47% DPPH inhibition and 75 to 150 µmol TE/g ORAC. These findings indicate that moderate HIUS conditions improve selected functional properties while limiting bioactive compound degradation.

High-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) has emerged as a promising green technology for modifying the structural and functional properties of plant-based matrices. In this study, Aloe vera gel was subjected to HIUS at different acoustic intensities (11, 28, and 43 W/cm²) and processing times (2.5, 5, and 7.5 min) to evaluate its impact on techno-functional properties, rheological behavior, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity. HIUS significantly reduced swelling capacity (up to ~60%) while enhancing water retention capacity (up to ~2-fold), depending on processing conditions. Rheological analysis revealed a decrease in viscosity associated with cavitation-induced depolymerization, followed by partial structural reorganization at moderate intensities. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were maximized at intermediate conditions (28 W/cm², 2.5 min), indicating enhanced release of bioactive compounds. However, excessive ultrasound intensity and prolonged processing led to a reduction in phenolic content, suggesting degradation effects. These findings demonstrate the presence of an optimal ultrasound treatment that balances structural modification and bioactive compound preservation, highlighting HIUS as an effective tool for tailoring the functional and antioxidant properties of Aloe vera-based ingredients.

Aloe vera is well known for its high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. However, the molecular pathways governing its adaptive response mechanisms to abiotic stress remain unclear. Thus, the expression of AOG, ABA2, and GMMT genes in Aloe vera plants subjected to saline–water stress was evaluated, with the expression of key genes significantly influenced by stress response. AOG and GMMT expression levels were higher under field capacity (FC) than under water deficit (PWP), with AOG reaching ~4.3% under 40 mM salinity at FC. In contrast, ABA2 was strongly upregulated under PWP, particularly at 40 mM salinity, with expression increasing up to fivefold compared to the control. However, salinity above 40 mM led to reduced ABA2 expression. GMMT was overexpressed (~6%) under severe stress, while mannose content increased significantly with salinity but remained unaffected by soil moisture. These findings highlight gene-specific responses to combined stress.

Aloe vera is well known for its high tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. However, the molecular pathways governing its adaptive response mechanisms to abiotic stress remain unclear. Thus, the expression of AOG, ABA2 and GMMT genes on Aloe vera plant subjected to saline-water stress was evaluated. Thus, saline-water stress significantly influenced the expression of key genes related to stress response in Aloe vera. AOG and GMMT expression levels were higher under field capacity (FC) than under water deficit (PWP), with AOG reaching >4% under 40 mM salinity at FC. In contrast, ABA2 was strongly upregulated under PWP, particularly at 40 mM salinity, with expression increasing up to fivefold compared to control. However, salinity above 40 mM led to reduced ABA2 expression. GMMT was overexpressed (~6%) under severe stress, while mannose content increased significantly with salinity but remained unaffected by soil moisture. These findings highlight gene-specific responses to combined stress.

Introducción: Los estudios de expresión génica requieren protocolos de extracción que permitan la obtención de ARN de alta calidad, especialmente cuando se trabaja con tejidos ricos en polisacáridos, lípidos y polifenoles como el tejido embrionario de nuez pecanera (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch).Objetivo: Evaluar la eficiencia de ocho métodos de extracción de ARN total a partir de tejido embrionario de nuez pecanera. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron ocho protocolos de extracción de ARN total basados en el reactivo TRI Reagent®, buffer CTAB (bromuro de hexadeciltrimetilamonio) y un kit comercial. El rendimiento y calidad de ARN total se determinaron por espectrofotometría (UV/visible). La viabilidad e integridad del ARN se analizó mediante RT-PCR utilizando actina como gen de referencia. Resultados y discusión: Los protocolos de extracción basados en el reactivo TRI Reagent® permitieron la obtención de concentraciones altas de ARN total, pero con grado elevado de contaminación. Mediante el uso del kit comercial fue posible la extracción de ARN total, pero sin la pureza óptima esperada. Finalmente, los protocolos basados en el buffer CTAB consiguieron rendimientos de ARN total de calidad óptima. Conclusiones: La calidad del ARN total varía de acuerdo con la eficiencia del método utilizado. El protocolo CTAB 4 representa una alternativa eficaz para el aislamiento de ARN de tejidos embrionarios de C. illinoinensis.