A month-long wastewater sampling project was conducted along the northeast periphery of Mexico City, specifically in the state of Hidalgo, to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2. To determine the prevalence of infection and obtain a range of COVID-19 cases in the main metropolitan zones. Viral RNA residues (0–197,655 copies/L) were measured in wastewater from the five central municipalities in the state. By recording the number of RNA viral copies per liter, micro-basins delimitation, demographic and physiological data, an interval of infected people and virus prevalence was estimated using a Monte Carlo model (with 90% confidence) in the micro-basin of five municipalities with metropolitan influence or industrial activity. Our procedure determined that the percentage of the infected population ranges from 1.4% to 41.7%, while the official data reports 0.1–0.3%. This model is proposed as a helpful method of regional epidemiological monitoring through the analysis of viral prevalence.

Whey is a major by-product of the dairy industry and represents a valuable source of proteins that can be enzymatically converted into bioactive peptides with diverse health-related functions. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to whey-derived peptides due to their antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activities, highlighting their potential use as functional ingredients and nutraceutical compounds. The generation and biological functionality of these peptides are strongly influenced by the protein source, processing conditions, enzymatic or microbial hydrolysis strategies, and peptide structure. Unlike the existing literature, this review provides an analysis of individual peptide sequences, meticulously linking their specific chemical structures to their diverse biological activities, such as antioxidants, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects. By moving beyond general protein hydrolysis, this work offers a unique comparative framework that evaluates how these distinct peptide fractions perform under industrial conditions. Furthermore, it bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial implementation, focusing on critical parameters for large-scale production, stability in functional food matrices, and the regulatory pathways required for market-ready nutraceuticals. This integrated approach provides a strategic roadmap for translating molecular bioactivity into high-value industrial applications. This review provides an applied overview of recent advances in the production of whey bioactive peptides, emphasizing enzymatic generation methods, structure–activity relationships, and underlying mechanisms of action associated with their biological effects. In addition, current and emerging applications of whey-derived peptides in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and health-oriented formulations are critically discussed. Finally, key challenges related to peptide stability, bioavailability, industrial scalability, and regulatory aspects are addressed to identify future perspectives for the effective translation of whey bioactive peptides from research to practical applications.

La espirulina es una cianobacteria perteneciente al género Arthrospira platensis y Arthrospira maxima. Se reconoce como suplemento y alimento funcional, destaca por su alto contenido proteico y su riqueza en compuestos bioactivos que contribuyen a la salud humana. El contenido de proteína en base seca oscila entre 55 a 70%, 5 a 6% de lípidos, 6 a 11% de minerales, 20 a 21% de carbohidratos y de 0.1 a 2% de fibra. Su ausencia de pared celular de celulosa la vuelve altamente biodisponible en sus nutrientes en comparación con otras proteínas vegetales. En los últimos años, diversos estudios han documentado su potencial para mejorar el estado nutricional y reducir el riesgo de alteraciones metabólicas y cardiovasculares. Este artículo resume sobre la historia de la espirulina, composición, perfil nutricional, compuestos bioactivos, propiedades funcionales y algunos efectos potenciales en la salud. Resaltando la relevancia de esta microalga como fuente sostenible de nutrientes y su papel emergente como ingrediente de alto valor en el desarrollo de alimentos funcionales y suplementos nutracéuticos.

The importance of conventional plastics is undeniable; however, their non-biodegradability makes them one of the biggest environmental problems. Among the alternatives to mitigate environmental damages, the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHB) provides a biodegradable solution, additional to their mechanical and thermal properties, making them accessible to a wide variety of applications. In general, biopolymers accumulate as energy and carbon storage material in microorganisms such as bacteria and microalgae. In the present study, the impact of different sources like carbon, glucose, nitrogen and sodium was tested on the production of PHB in the cultures of the microalgae S. acutus . To evaluate the effect of the variables, a fractional Taguchi experimental design was devised and executed, thus, 16 experimental runs and 3 replicas in each treatment were considered. Results showed calculated concentrations of the biopolymer in a range from 7.5–34.7% w/w dry weight. Additionally, the PHB was identified by spectroscopic and thermogravimetric analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 16, where differences in biomass production, PHB concentration in g/L and the percentage of PHB were analyzed. Likewise, a Pareto diagram was used to consider the biomass production results, with glucose, biomass-glucose, and biomass-sodium as determining factors in the PHB production. The present research provides significant data on critical factors related with PHA production, for the first time to our knowledge, thus showing Scenedesmus acutus as a PHB producer through low-cost medium providing a promising candidate for industrial scale-up.