Nowadays there has been an increase in the need to incorporate foods in our diets that have optimal and palatable organoleptic characteristics as well as complex interaction in human biological processes that provide beneficial properties to human health. Animal foods and their by-products are an important source of macro- and micronutrients and also a great protein source; nevertheless the consumption of these products has been decreasing since they have been associated with the generation of chronic degenerative diseases; therefore the food industry has sought to innovate toward the generation of healthier foods. This chapter presents an overview of the glycation of proteins of animal origin via the Maillard reaction emphasizing on their posttranslational modifications and their possible uses in food, based on their bioactivity.

Background: Rickettsioses are emerging diseases worldwide caused by intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. In recent years, these diseases have caused deaths in northwestern Mexico, particularly cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). While ticks are considered the primary vector for RMSF, other possible vectors of rickettsioses, such as fleas, lice, and mosquitoes, coexist with reservoirs, including dogs, cats, and other domestic animals that may interact with humans. This study aimed to detect the presence of Rickettsia spp., including spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia, in arthropod vectors not previously reported in northwestern Mexico using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Methods: Ticks, fleas, lice, and mosquitoes were collected from dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and humans. qPCR was used to detect Rickettsia spp. and SFG Rickettsia. Results: Rickettsia spp. were detected in dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), with pooled positivity rates of 13.5% and 22.2%, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that ticks and fleas are the main arthropod vectors involved in transmitting Rickettsia spp. in northwestern Mexico.