Red algae have been reported to be an important source of polysaccharides with potential immunomodulatory properties. The objective of this study was to characterize the polysaccharides from Halopithys incurva and Hypnea spinella and to evaluate their effect on the synthesis of cytokines by murine cell line RAW 264.7 macrophages. Polysaccharides were obtained by N-cetylpyridinium bromide precipitation and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Their effect on the activity of RAW 264.7 macrophages was examined by quantification of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and nitric oxide (NO) production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The activation of the cytokine IL-6 and NO increased linearly as the concentration of polysaccharides from H. incurva and Hy. spinella increased. In general, the activation of IL-6 and NO was tenfold greater when macrophages were exposed to polysaccharides from H. incurva than when exposed to polysaccharides from Hy. spinella. In contrast, TNF-α concentration did not increase when macrophages were exposed to increasing polysaccharide levels. These results indicate that polysaccharides are strong cytokine IL-6 inducers.

High concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) are often responsible for imparting a salty character in wines that is often described as a negative sensory attribute. The wines of Mexico have been described as salty; however, the origin of the salty character of these wines is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, and Na in wines from Mexico and compare them to those found in wines from other countries. In general, concentrations were higher in the wines from Mexico. Specifically, levels of Na in red and white wines from Mexico were two-to three-fold higher than those in wines from other wine-producing countries. Thus, it is likely that the salty character described in some Mexican wines is, in part, the result of high concentrations of ions, especially Na.

Background/Objectives: Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungal plant pathogen responsible for the gray mold disease, affecting several crops of economic importance worldwide. The primary line of control for the disease in the field and post-harvest fruits includes the application of fungicides. However, the emergence of fungal populations resistant to one or more fungicides has increased their application and diminished their effectiveness. Looking at new control strategies, metallic nanoparticles have appeared as a promising alternative for disease treatment. Green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) are considered a feasible alternative, aiming to reduce the generation of environmentally toxic waste through chemical methods. Methods: In this work, CuONPs biosynthesized using the supernatant of Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma ghanense were evaluated to determine their antifungal activity against B. cinerea. Results: Four different formulations of CuONPs were obtained: Ta1, Ta2, Tg1, and Tg2. All formulations displayed antifungal properties, with Tg2 being the most effective and having a high potential in controlling the phytopathogen. CuONPs in the Tg2 formulation were quasi-spherical, ranging in size from 1 to 2.7 nm. Conclusions: Furthermore, Tg2 demonstrated greater efficacy than the copper-based commercial fungicide NORDOX^® 75W, which showed no inhibitory effect on B. cinerea mycelial growth. In summary, the CuONPs reported in this work offer a sustainable and effective alternative for managing the gray mold disease.

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are intensifying under climate change, yet the physiological limits that constrain seagrass resilience remain poorly defined. We experimentally tested the responses of the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri, a foundation species of the north-east Pacific coast, to simulated MHWs of contrasting intensity. In a 27-day mesocosm experiment, plants were exposed to fluctuating temperatures representing a severe MHW (23.5±1.5 °C) and an extreme MHW (26.5±1.5 °C), and photosynthetic performance, respiration, nitrogen metabolism, oxidative stress, and growth were monitored during and after warming. Phyllospadix scouleri maintained photosynthetic capacity and carbon balance under severe warming but exhibited pronounced physiological disruption at extreme temperatures, including sustained photoinhibition, reduced nitrate assimilation, elevated respiration, and negative daily productivity. These effects persisted after heat stress, leading to reduced growth and indicating incomplete recovery. Multivariate analysis revealed a transition from tolerance to functional breakdown near 26.5 °C, suggesting a potential physiological tipping point only 5–6 °C above current summer maxima in the area of the studied population. Our findings indicate that intensifying MHWs may rapidly erode the thermal safety margin of temperate seagrasses, pushing foundational coastal ecosystems toward metabolic instability under continued ocean warming.

Grape production is one of the most agronomically important activities worldwide. However, it is threatened by diseases caused by phytopathogenic microorganisms, which cause severe economic losses. The primary strategy to control phytopathogenic fungi is the application of fungicides; however, they affect the environment and induce resistance in fungi. Nanomaterials, especially those green-synthesized, emerge as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to control fungal pathogens. The objective of this work is to evaluate the sensitivity of fungal phytopathogens to biosynthesized copper-oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). Nanoparticles were evaluated as preventive and corrective treatments in grapevine green tissues and fruits under field conditions, using in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches. Interestingly, corrective treatment was highly effective and showed little accumulation of Cu on the fruits, even less than a commercial copper-based fungicide. Moreover, we report that Aspergillus niger causes lesions in photosynthetic tissues and severe disease symptoms in grapes. We also describe for the first time the presence of Alternaria alternata causing lesions, mainly on the stems and young leaves of grapevine plants in Mexico. These pathogens were inhibited by the biosynthesized CuONPs. All these findings show the effectiveness of using CuONPs to control phytopathogenic fungi, even under field conditions, shedding light on their potential use in agriculture with a less environmental impact than the commercial fungicides and agrochemicals currently used.