Ricardo Rodríguez Vargas

Mr. Ricardo Rodríguez Vargas

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 December 2025 in Plants
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Journal Article
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JMJuan Jose Maldonado-Miranda
Juan Jose Maldonado-Miranda
DMDomingo Martínez-Soto
Domingo Martínez-Soto
JCJuan Gilberto Ceballos
Juan Gilberto Ceballos
Luis J. Castillo-PérezLuis J. Castillo-Pérez
Luis J. Castillo-Pérez
RVRicardo Rodríguez Vargas
Ricardo Rodríguez Vargas
CCCandy Carranza-Álvarez
Candy Carranza-Álvarez
Organic vanilla production in Mexico holds significant promise but faces substantial challenges that impact its sustainability and market competitiveness. As the native region of Vanilla planifolia, Mexico is endowed with rich biodiversity and a deep cultural heritage surrounding vanilla cultivation. Organic production systems in the country predominantly rely on traditional agroforestry practices, manual pollination, and artisanal curing methods, all of which enhance the quality and distinctiveness of Mexican vanilla. However, production is hindered by critical factors, including low genetic diversity and susceptibility to phytopathogenic diseases, particularly stem and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum. In recent years, the application of in vitro micropropagation techniques has shown great potential for obtaining pathogen-free plants and conserving germplasm, offering a sustainable alternative to strengthen organic systems and reduce pressure on wild populations. The labor-intensive processes, yield variability, and the complexity of adhering to organic certification standards are additional challenges to overcome. Shifts in consumer preferences toward natural and sustainably produced goods have increased demand for organic vanilla, offering Mexican producers an opportunity to gain a more prominent position in the global market. Advancing research into disease management, fostering genetic conservation, and integrating scientific advances with traditional know-how are vital strategies for overcoming current limitations. In this context, organic vanilla production represents not only an economic opportunity but also a means to conserve biodiversity, support rural communities, and maintain the legacy of one of Mexico’s most emblematic agricultural products. This review was conducted using a qualitative, narrative analysis of recent scientific literature, technical reports, and case studies related to organic vanilla production in Mexico.

7 November 2025 in PLOS ONE
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Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RVRicardo Rodríguez Vargas
Ricardo Rodríguez Vargas
FVFrancisca Villanueva-Flores
Francisca Villanueva-Flores
MGMaría Fernanda Gutiérrez-Chávez
María Fernanda Gutiérrez-Chávez
CMCarlos Medrano-Villagómez
Carlos Medrano-Villagómez
AZAndrés Zárate-Romero
Andrés Zárate-Romero
AHAlejandro Huerta-Saquero
Alejandro Huerta-Saquero
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of lymphocyte precursor cells within the bone marrow, blood and extramedullary sites. L-asparaginase has become a standard treatment in childhood cases of ALL by reducing the asparagine levels in the bloodstream on which leukemic cells depend, as they cannot synthesize it. The reduction of asparagine leads to cell cycle arrest and death by apoptosis. However, due to the bacterial origin of L-asparaginase, it causes immunogenic reactions, and the cross-glutaminase activity that the enzyme exhibits cause ammonium accumulation and toxicity in different organs and tissues. Enzymes with a lower immunogenic profile that preserve their affinity for the substrate asparagine and that do not have glutaminase activity are needed, such as L-asparaginases from Streptomyces scabrisporus or Rhizobium etli . In this work, the L-asparaginases from S. scabrisporus and R. etli were purified and characterized, and the kinetic parameters of the enzymes were compared under physiological conditions. Furthermore, both enzymes reduced the viability of MOLT-4 leukemic cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.