In this study, conditions for the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of soluble polyphenols from Psidium cattleianum (PC) leaves were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) by assessing the effect of extraction time (X_ET = 2, 4, and 6 min), sonication amplitude (X_SA = 60, 80, and 100%), and pulse cycle (X_PC = 0.4, 0.7, and 1 s). Furthermore, the optimized UAE conditions were compared with a conventional aqueous–organic extraction (AOE) method for extracting total phenolics; moreover, a phenolic profile using HPLC and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) were also compared. According to the RSM, the best conditions for UAE to extract the highest soluble polyphenol content and yield (158.18 mg/g dry matter [DM] and 15.81%) include a 100% sonication amplitude for 4 min at 0.6 s of pulse cycle. The optimal UAE conditions exhibited an effectiveness of 1.71 times in comparison to the AOE method for extracting total phenolics, in 96.66% less time; moreover, PC leaf extracts by UAE showed higher antioxidant values than AOE. Additionally, gallic, protocateic, chlorogenic, caffeic, coumaric, trans-cinnamic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, and syringic acids, as well as kaempferol were identified in PC leaves under UAE. PC leaf extracts are widely used for therapeutic and other industrial purposes; thus, the UAE proves to be a useful technology with which to improve the yield extraction of PC leaf phytochemicals.

In this work, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) (operating conditions of sonication amplitude, pulse-cycle, and extraction time) was investigated to obtain an extract rich in biologically active compounds from Annona muricata leaves. In addition, the content of bioactive compounds from the extract by the optimal UAE conditions (UAE extract) was compared with extracts prepared by decoction and infusion. Moreover, Artemia salina toxicity was evaluated in all extracts. UAE extract (using optimal conditions: 80% amplitude, 0.7 s pulse-cycle, for 4.54 min) contained 178.48 mg/100 mL of soluble phenols, 20.18 mg/100 mL of total flavonoids, 27.81 mg/100 mL of hydrolyzable polyphenols, 167.07 mg/100 mL of condensed tannins, 30.44 mg/100 mL of total alkaloids and 14.62 mg/100 mL of total acetogenins. The UAE extract exhibited a high antioxidant capacity and a higher content of bioactive compounds from ~6 to ~927-fold than decoction or infusion, depending on the type of compound. Twenty-four different phenolic compounds were identified in the samples, and UAE extract produced the highest concentration. All extracts were considered non-toxic using the A. salina test. The UAE extract from A. muricata leaves is a rich source of bioactive compounds and can be utilized to formulate therapeutic drugs or nutraceutical foods.

The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly due to their nutritional properties and their application in the treatment of human diseases. Mexico is the center of origin for most of them. However, at present much of the basic agronomic information, postharvest handling of the fruits, and their potential as new crops for areas with poor soils in organic matter or semi-dry climates is unknown. It is considered that these custard apple species may be an option to change towards instead of crops that have lost profitability and sustainability. A review of the current state of knowledge in different areas of the species A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata, A. squamosa, and A. cherimola was carried out and to focus research efforts on the topics of greatest interest and on those where is required to achieve a sustainable production and use of these resources in Mexico. However, knowledge about the cultivation and potential uses of these species is needed to increase their commercialization; the integration of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional groups is required.

Stenocereus queretaroensis fruits are endemic to Mexico. They have an excellent advantage in cultivation because they require little water and fertilizers. These plants do not require fungicides and herbicides, drastically reducing production costs. However, the nutritional contribution and potential health benefits of S. queretaroensis fruits are unknown. The physicochemical characterization, the content of bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant capacity (AOX) of four S. queretaroensis fruits (red, purple, yellow, and white) were evaluated. All fruits had a low sugar content (7.04–8.96%) and provided 4–5% dietary fiber. The purple and red fruits presented 19.7–20.29 mg/100 g fresh weight (fw) of total betalains, respectively, while the yellow fruit presented 9.21 mg/100 g fw of total carotenoids. The total soluble phenols were 54.86–62.14 mg/100 g fw. Flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids were also found in all fruits in ascending order. The red fruit exhibited the highest AOX, followed by the yellow, purple, and white fruits. In conclusion, these fruits are a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients, highlighting that they provide 20% of daily consumption of dietary fiber and have a low caloric content. S. queretaroensis fruits, therefore, may have a high potential functionality, especially in people with diabetes and living with obesity.

La yaca (Artocarpus heterophyllus) se ha convertido en un frutal importante y representa una opción de producción para zonas tropicales de México. No obstante, por su reciente introducción, la información sobre sus plagas y enfermedades asociadas y recomendaciones de manejo es aún limitada. En 2017 se observó deformación de hojas, decoloración del haz y presencia de telaraña en el envés causado por un ácaro desconocido. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar el ácaro asociado, determinar su distribución, fluctuación poblacional y evaluación de eficacia biológica de acaricidas. El estudio se realizó durante 2018-2019 en Nayarit, México. El ácaro identificado es Tetranychus pacificus conocido como araña roja. Se distribuye en todas las zonas productoras de yaca en Nayarit. Se detectó de noviembre a junio con mayor infestación en la zona productora de Tecuitata (0.86 ácaros hoja-1) y Jalcocotan (0.57 ácaros hoja-1) del municipio de San Blas. En promedio en septiembre y octubre es imperceptible su presencia; no obstante, en El Capomo sólo se detectó en julio lo que indica una etapa inicial de dispersión del ácaro. Se observó correlación significativa (β= 0.0489, r= -0.73, F= 0.0345, α= 0.05) de la población con la temperatura, con un decremento de la población a mayor temperatura y acentuándose a partir de los 26 °C. No se observó correlación con la humedad relativa. La mayor temperatura (27.9 °C) y humedad relativa (88.2%) ocurrieron en el mes de julio y septiembre, respectivamente, meses en los cuales se observó la menor población de ácaros. Los acaricidas evaluados ejercieron un control significativo. A los 21 días después de la aplicación ocurrieron diferencias entre tratamientos y el testigo absoluto (Pr>F= 0.0245). Con la aplicación de azadiractina (1.9 g de ia L-1 de agua) y aceite mineral (16.9 g de ia L-1 de agua) se obtuvo un control de 75.9% y 72.5%, respectivamente.