P. peruviana is a species of agronomic and biotechnological interest; however, the relationship between in vitro regeneration and phenolic compound production remains poorly explored. This study evaluated the combined effects of thidiazuron (TDZ), explant type (cotyledon and hypocotyl), auxin type (naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA, or indole-3-butyric acid, IBA), and auxin concentration on shoot organogenesis, photosynthetic pigment content, and phenolic accumulation. An initial screening identified 4.54 µM TDZ as the optimal concentration for shoot induction. Subsequent experiments showed that morphogenic and physiological responses were strongly dependent on the interaction among explant type, auxin type, and auxin dose. Cotyledon explants consistently exhibited higher shoot regeneration, vigor, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigment content than hypocotyl explants, which showed reduced physiological performance and a higher tendency for callus formation. NAA-based treatments primarily enhanced morphogenic traits, whereas IBA-based treatments were associated with increased photosynthetic pigment content and phenolic accumulation. Multivariate analysis integrating morphogenic, physiological, and biochemical variables identified cotyledon explants cultured with 0.5 µM IBA in the presence of 4.54 µM TDZ as the treatment achieving the most favorable balance between shoot regeneration, physiological stability, and controlled phenolic accumulation. These findings provide a robust basis for optimizing in vitro culture systems of P. peruviana that balance growth, physiological integrity, and secondary metabolism.

This study evaluated the effect of forced-air solar drying and biogas-assisted hybrid solar drying on the overall quality of dehydrated Andean berries. Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and goldenberry (Physalis peruviana) were analyzed before and after dehydration using two systems: forced-air solar drying (DCFA) and biogas-assisted hybrid solar drying (DCFA-BG). Physicochemical properties, instrumental color, texture, rehydration index, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity were determined. Drying markedly reduced moisture content and water activity in both fruits. In blueberry, DCFA-BG achieved the lowest moisture content (22.00%) and water activity (0.65), whereas goldenberry showed similar final moisture contents under both systems, with lower water activity under DCFA-BG (0.64). Total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased after drying, indicating solute concentration. Color changes were more pronounced in goldenberry, while blueberry showed moderate chromatic variation. Blueberry firmness increased after drying, whereas goldenberry exhibited treatment-dependent textural responses. Blueberry showed greater retention of bioactive properties, with increased antioxidant capacity after drying, whereas goldenberry exhibited substantial reductions in phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity. Overall, biogas-assisted hybrid solar drying effectively reduced moisture content and water activity, although its effects on product quality depended on the fruit matrix. These findings support its potential application as a sustainable alternative for processing perishable fruits in high-Andean rural agroindustrial contexts.

Biodegradable trays were developed from starches of arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and lucuma seed (Pouteria lucuma) using a simplex lattice mixture design. The optimal formulation, with 90.2% lucuma starch and 9.8% potato starch, achieved a desirability of 0.880, with 18% solubility, 1.49% elongation at break, 1.14 MPa tensile strength, and 113.00 MPa Young’s modulus. X-ray diffraction revealed a type B crystalline pattern in all native starches, while FT-IR confirmed the preservation of hydroxyl, glycosidic, and C–O–C functional groups after thermoforming. The optimized tray exhibited a water activity of 0.67, an opacity of 0.88 Abs/mm, a DPPH radical-scavenging activity of 24.54%, and a total phenolic content of 23.93 mg GAE/g, all of which were attributed to residual polyphenols from lucuma starch. Thermogravimetric analysis identified four degradation stages, with a maximum degradation rate at 316 °C, indicating good thermal stability. Microwave heating induced color changes associated with non-enzymatic browning and moisture loss, corroborated by SEM observations. Overall migration remained below the 10 mg/dm² limit established by Regulation (EU) N°. 10/2011. Composting assays showed 88–100% mass loss after 140 days. These findings demonstrate the potential of the optimized formulation as a biodegradable packaging material for food applications.