Probiotics can act as a natural barrier against several pathogens, such Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to stomach cancer. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from pulque and aguamiel, and evaluate their probiotic potential and antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori. Ten isolates were selected and evaluated for in vitro resistance to antibiotics and gastrointestinal conditions, and antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and the effect on H. pylori strains. 16S rRNA identification was performed. Ten potential probiotic isolates were confirmed as belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. All the strains were susceptible to clinical antibiotics, except to vancomycin. Sixty percent of the isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The growth of H. pylori ATCC 43504 was suppressed by all the LAB, and the urease activity from all the H. pylori strains was inhibited, which may decrease its chances for survival in the stomach. The results suggest that LAB isolated from pulque and aguamiel could be an option to establish a harmless relationship between the host and H. pylori, helping in their eradication therapy.

Blackberry processing generates up to 20% of residues composed mainly of peel, seeds and pulp that are abundant in flavonoids. The objective of this study was to optimize the ultrasound conditions, in a closed system, for antioxidants extraction, using the response surface methodology. Blackberry (Rubus fructicosus) residues were analyzed for total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH. The selected independent variables were ultrasound amplitude (X₁: 80%–90%) and extraction time (X₂: 10–15 min), and results were compared with conventional extraction methods. The optimal conditions for antioxidants extraction were 91% amplitude for 15 min. The results for total phenolic content and anthocyanins and antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH were of 1201.23 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry weight basis (dw); 379.12 mg/100 g·dw; 6318.98 µmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/100 g·dw and 9617.22 µmol TE/100 g·dw, respectively. Compared to solvent extraction methods (water and ethanol), ultrasound achieved higher extraction of all compounds except for anthocyanins. The results obtained demonstrated that ultrasound is an alternative to improve extraction yield of antioxidants from fruit residues such as blackberry.

Milk is the most traded, processed and consumed dairy product in the world, approximately 113.7 to 150 kg per capita. However, one of the food safety and human health problems worldwide is aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁), present exclusively in milk and its derivatives, because this mycotoxin is heat-resistant to common food industrialization processes and is capable of producing hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity and immunosuppression in humans, so there are international regulations that establish parameters ranging from 0.03 to 0.250 μg/kg depending on each country. The present review aims at compiling information on mycotoxins and specifically on AFM₁ from its biotransformation from dairy cattle until the pathologies in humans associated with its consumption.

La cafeína es un compuesto ampliamente consumido con efectos estimulantes sobre el sistema nervioso central, que es significativo como agente ergogénico en el ámbito deportivo. El objetivo de esta revisión fue analizar la evidencia reciente sobre los efectos de la cafeína en el rendimiento físico. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus y Google Académico de estudios del 2020 al 2024, incluyendo ensayos clínicos, revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis en inglés y español. La evidencia sugiere que la cafeína puede mejorar la resistencia, fuerza y concentración, además de reducir la percepción de fatiga y dolor. También se reportaron efectos fisiológicos como aumento en la resíntesis de glucógeno muscular, mejora en la oxigenación y actividad antiinflamatoria, o efectos termorregulador y cardioprotector. No obstante, algunos estudios reportan efectos adversos asociados a dosis elevadas de cafeína (≥ 9 mg/kg) como insomnio, taquicardia, ansiedad, nerviosismo, cefalea, alteraciones cognitivas e interferencias en la interacción social. Asimismo, ciertos polimorfismos genéticos pueden incrementar el riesgo de efectos negativos como hipertensión, prediabetes y complicaciones cardiovasculares. Se concluye que, si bien la cafeína mejora el rendimiento físico, factores como dosificación, perfil individual y riesgos potenciales deben ser considerados cuidadosamente antes de su uso regular deportivo.