β-Glucosidase is part of the cellulases and is responsible for degrading cellobiose into glucose, a compound that can be used to produce biofuels. However, the use of the free enzyme makes the process more expensive. Enzyme immobilization improves catalytic characteristics and supports, such as zeolites, which have physical-chemical characteristics and ion exchange capacity that have a promising application in the biotechnological industry. This research aimed to immobilize by adsorption a recombinant β-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei, obtained in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), in a commercial zeolite. A Box Behnken statistical design was applied to find the optimal immobilization parameters, the stability against pH and temperature was determined, and the immobilized enzyme was characterized by SEM. The highest enzymatic activity was determined with 100 mg of zeolite at 35 °C and 175 min. Compared to the free enzyme, the immobilized recombinant β-glucosidase presented greater activity from pH 2 to 4 and greater thermostability. The kinetic parameters were calculated, and a lower K_M value was obtained for the immobilized enzyme compared to the free enzyme. The obtained immobilization parameters by a simple adsorption method and the significant operational stability indicate promising applications in different fields.

La nanotecnología es considerada como la revolución industrial del siglo XXI, por esto la obtención y aplicación de nanopartículas (NPs) es de vital interés para muchos rubros de la ciencia e industria. El uso de las NPs-Fe3O4 obtenidas por síntesis verde se extiende desde la cosmética, medicina, remediación ambiental, eléctrica y electrónica, debido a sus características térmicas, ópticas y magnéticas, sin mencionar el bajo costo de producción. En esta revisión se analizan los factores con mayor efecto durante la síntesis de NPs-Fe3O4 como lo son el pH, la temperatura, el tiempo, la cantidad de precursores metálicos y cantidad de metabolitos secundarios; variables que afectan de manera directa el tamaño, forma y morfología de las NPs-Fe3O4.

Molecular dynamics (MD) techniques offer significant potential for optimizing mineral extraction processes by simulating economically or physically restrictive conditions at the laboratory level. Lithium, a crucial metal in the electromobility era, exemplifies the need for ongoing re-evaluation of extraction techniques. This research aims to simulate the crystal structures of mineral species present in a polylithionite mineral concentrate [KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂] using crystallographic data obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis. This study focuses on optimizing these structures, validating them through density comparisons, and determining the interaction parameter between the identified phases and lithium oxide (Li₂O). The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed five predominant mineral phases: quartz (SiO₂), calcite [Ca(CO₃)], pyrite (FeS₂), cassiterite (SiO₂), and a compound Pb₆O₂(BO₃)₂SO₄. Structural data, including lattice parameters, space groups, and atomic coordinates, were used to construct the crystal structures with Materials Studio 8.0, employing the Crystal Builder module. Optimization was performed using the Forcite module with the Smart optimization algorithm and the Universal force field. The interaction parameter (χ) indicated an affinity between lithium oxide and pyrite, as well as between calcite and quartz.

La agricultura en México ha sobrepasado el uso racional de insecticidas químicos, impactando con ello la estructura del suelo y el ecosistema agrícola en general. Una alternativa de control de plagas es el uso de plantas tóxicas, las cuales proporcionan sustancias químicas que modifican el comportamiento de los insectos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la eficacia de un insecticida biorracional generado con Datura metel Linneo aplicado sobre poblaciones de adultos del gusano de la raíz del maíz Diabrotica undecimpunctata Howardi durante el ciclo primavera-verano 2019, en Durango. Se evaluaron 1 620 individuos a diferentes dosis 10, 20, 50 y 70 mg L-1 cada 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 y 24 h. Además, se determinaron los valores de DL50 y el intervalo de confianza al 95% para cada tratamiento. Las dosis evaluadas causaron mortalidad del gusano del maíz, la cual varió en función de la dosis y la estructura analizada. La DL50 calculada para la raíz fue de 23.2 mg L-1, para la hoja 34.1 mg L-1 y para el tallo 89.3 mg L-1. Al aumentar la dosis a 70 mg L-1 de raíz fue posible alcanzar una mortalidad de 76%, por lo que se concluye que existe una relación directamente proporcional entre la estructura evaluada y la dosis aplicada a los adultos del gusano del maíz y el tiempo de exposición.

The bioleaching of manganese present in mining waste after metal extraction can be catalyzed by Leptospirillum (L.) ferriphilum by allowing atmospheric carbon dioxide to be used in this autotrophic process and generating the subsequent recovery of silver. Bioleaching of metals is widely performed in agitated tanks; therefore, it is important to assess the mass transfer capacity of gaseous substrates, such as carbon dioxide, during the microbial processes. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of the presence and concentration of a transfer vector (silicone oil) added into a stirred-tank bioreactor during bioleaching of mining tailings catalyzed by L. ferriphilum, determined by the combined gas/oil mass transfer coefficient of carbon dioxide (k_LaCO2) into the aqueous phase. The experiments were carried out following a Box–Behnken experimental design, evaluating the concentrations of mining waste (30%, 40%, and 50%), Fe²⁺, serving as electron donor (2, 8, and 14 g/L), and silicon oil (0%, 5%, and 10%). A significant increase in k_LaCO2 was observed after the addition of the transfer vector by comparing the lowest k_LaCO2 value of 1.68 h⁻¹ (obtained at 50% pulp, 8 g/L Fe²⁺, and 0% silicone oil) and the highest k_LaCO2 of 21.81 h⁻¹ (obtained at 30% pulp, 2 g/L Fe²⁺, 5% silicone oil). The results showed statistically significant differences in the transfer of carbon dioxide during the bioleaching process with a transfer vector.

The growing demand for lithium, driven by its key role in rechargeable batteries and its use in electric vehicles, highlights the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly recovery strategies. Conventional methods, such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, are effective but costly and harmful as they emit toxic compounds. Biohydrometallurgy has emerged as a promising alternative, as it uses microorganisms and their metabolites to solubilize metals under milder conditions. Biohydrometallurgy has emerged as a promising alternative, as it relies on microorganisms and their metabolites to solubilize metals under mild operating conditions. Nevertheless, challenges related to process efficiency and selectivity remain, particularly for lithium recovery. In this context, recent advances in metal-binding peptides have attracted increasing attention due to their inherent selectivity and the possibility of rational design and heterologous expression in well-established microbial hosts such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This review critically analyzes current biotechnological strategies and explores the integration of microbial bioleaching with peptide-based approaches as a complementary and environmentally friendly framework for the selective recovery of lithium and other metals from spent batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment. Overall, this review provides an integrative conceptual framework that highlights the potential of combining microbial processes with metal-binding peptides to guide the development of more selective and sustainable biotechnological strategies for lithium recovery from secondary sources.