Selenium is an element that must be considered in the nutrition of certain crops since its use allows the obtaining of biofortified crops with a positive impact on human health. The objective of this review is to present the information on the use of Se and S in the cultivation of plants of the genus Allium. The main proposal is to use Allium as specialist plants for biofortification with Se and S, considering the natural ability to accumulate both elements in different phytochemicals, which promotes the functional value of Allium. In spite of this, in the agricultural production of these species, the addition of sulfur is not realized to obtain functional foods and plants more resistant; it is only sought to cover the necessary requirements for growth. On the other hand, selenium does not appear in the agronomic management plans of most of the producers. Including S and Se fertilization as part of agronomic management can substantially improve Allium crop production. Allium species may be suitable to carry out biofortification with Se; this practice can be combined with the intensive use of S to obtain crops with higher production and sensory, nutritional, and functional quality.

Iodine is an essential trace nutrient for humans; its deficit can affect motor and cognitive development. Biofortifying crops with iodine is a way of promoting the adequate intake of this element. The uses of chitosan-iodine complexes for crop biofortification have not been previously studied. The present work evaluated the effects of KIO₃ and KI salts, chitosan-KIO₃ complex (Cs-KIO₃), and chitosan-KI complex (Cs-KI) application on lettuce, with a chitosan-only treatment as a control and water as the absolute control. Each treatment involved the application of 0, 5, and 25 mg I kg⁻¹ soil applied before transplanting or 25 mg I kg⁻¹ soil applied as split doses of 12.5 mg kg⁻¹, once immediately before transplanting and the second application 15 days later. Single application of Cs-KIO₃ at 5 and 25 mg I kg⁻¹ increased lettuce biomass while the split-dose application (SDA) of Cs-KI (25 mg I kg⁻¹) led to a decrease in biomass. Maximum accumulation of iodine in lettuce was observed after the application of KIO₃ (25 mg I kg⁻¹) in two parts. This study shows that the use of chitosan complexes, especially Cs-KIO₃, may be a viable alternative for crop biofortification with iodine without affecting crop yields.

Medicinal plants have been a traditional remedy for numerous ailments for centuries. However, their usage is limited due to a lack of evidence-based studies elucidating their mechanisms of action. In some countries, they are still considered the first treatment due to their low cost, accessibility, and minor adverse effects. Mexico is in second place, after China, in inventoried plants for medicinal use. It has around 4000 species of medicinal plants; however, pharmacological studies have only been carried out in 5% of its entirety. The species of the Mexican arid zones, particularly in semi-desert areas, exhibit outstanding characteristics, as their adverse growing conditions (e.g., low rainfall and high temperatures) prompt these plants to produce interesting metabolites with diverse biological activities. This review explores medicinal plants belonging to the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico, focusing on those that have stood out for their bioactive potential, such as Jatropha dioica, Turnera diffusa, Larrea tridentata, Opuntia ficus-indica, Flourensia cernua, Fouquieria splendes, and Prosopis glandulosa. Their extraction conditions, bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and biological efficacy are presented, with emphasis on their role in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Additionally, current research, novel applications, and perspectives concerning medicinal plants from these zones are also discussed.

Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) processing generates significant amounts of underutilized by-products that represent a promising source of bioactive compounds. Renowned for its abundance of β-carotene and phenolic antioxidants, it has garnered increased attention in recent years due to its nutritional profile. Melon side-streams, such as peels, seeds, and residual pulp, have emerged as valuable sources for sustainable functional ingredient development. This work provides updated insights into the phytochemical composition and bioactive properties of cantaloupe melon, with emphasis on the recovery and valorization of its by-products through conventional and emerging eco-friendly extraction technologies. These strategies are also discussed within a biorefinery perspective aimed at improving biomass utilization and promoting the development of value-added functional ingredients. Additionally, this review addresses how such approaches contribute to circular economy principles, supporting more sustainable and resource-efficient food production models.