Anualmente, se pierde más del 33 % de las colmenas en el altiplano y el norte de México por varroa (Varroa destructor), debido al uso excesivo de acaricidas sintéticos. Como resultado, las poblaciones de ácaros han desarrollado resistencia. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la caída de ácaros de V. destructor, así como el porcentaje de infestación mediante la aplicación de moliendas botánicas de ajo (Allium sativum), laurel (Laurus nobilis) y orégano (Origanum vulgare) en colonias de Apis mellifera en temporada invernal. Se utilizaron 16 colmenas tipo jumbo, seleccionando cuatro colmenas por tratamiento, donde cada una fue la unidad experimental. Los tratamientos fueron: 1) testigo (sin tratamiento); 2) ajo; 3) laurel, y 4) orégano. Los tratamientos incluyeron azúcar pulverizada (glass) en proporción 1:1 (azúcar: molienda vegetal). Los datos se analizaron mediante un diseño completamente aleatorizado. Se consideró el porcentaje de infestación inicial (covariable) para determinar si afectaba la respuesta a las moliendas (p > 0.05). El laurel presentó el mayor número de ácaros caídos (42.46 ± 12.07). A partir del día siete, los porcentajes de infestación decrecieron, destacando la molienda de laurel (p < 0.01). El grupo de las colmenas testigo presentó una tendencia creciente, con medias superiores al 5 % (5.32 ± 1.16). En la actualidad, se están usando los aceites y extractos botánicos para el tratamiento de plagas y enfermedades de las abejas. Sin embargo, la utilización de moliendas botánicas en la apicultura es limitada, por lo anterior, el uso de estos bioacaricidas representa una alternativa para el control del ácaro V. destructor, ya que son ingredientes de fácil accesibilidad, presentan un bajo costo y una metodología sencilla de elaboración y aplicación. Además, al ser un tratamiento orgánico, garantiza la seguridad ambiental, obteniendo inocuidad en la miel y en subproductos derivados de la colmena.

Background: The honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) represents one of the most important species in the maintenance of ecosystems, since it contributes to crop pollination, which improves crop yields and the reproduction of other plants. However, some factors such as climate change, africanization and various pathological processes, including the presence of the Varroa destructor mite, have led to a decline in A. mellifera populations. Objective: To collect scientific information on the plants used for mite control, as well as the organic derivatives and secondary compounds with bioacaricidal potential used for such control. Main findings: Due to the fact that infestations of this mite have become a major problem, numerous control methods have been developed and tested, mainly based on synthetic acaricides; however, these have generated disadvantages such as the development of resistance and contamination of products such as honey and pollen. Implications: Therefore, it is necessary to implement an organic, environmentally friendly control method that reduces mite populations without developing resistance, and that does not generate contamination of hive sub-products. Conclusions: In general, the most common types of extracts tested were essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts, which reported mortality ranging from 26.4 to 99.5% on V. destructor. Likewise, some species of plants endemic to Matorral Espinoso Tamaulipeco (MET) have been tested against other arthropods and that could be an important source of components that act as acaricides; however, it is necessary to identify and analyze the secondary compounds, as well as the molecules and their activity on V. destructor.

Infestation by Varroa destructor represents one of the major challenges for beekeeping, as it compromises both colony health and honey productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different organic treatments for the control of V. destructor and their effect on honey production in Apis mellifera colonies located on the central region of Tamaulipas, Mexico. A total of 150 colonies were assigned to five treatments: T1, oxalic acid with glycerin; T2, sublimated oxalic acid; T3, Thymol, T4; HappyVarr; and T5, an untreated control. Mite infestation (initial and final) and honey production were analyzed using a non-parametric approach and were evaluated with the Kruskal–Wallis test, and when significant differences were detected, Steel–Dwass multiple comparisons were performed. To examine the relationship between infestation reduction and honey yield, Spearman’s rank correlation was applied. No significant differences were observed in the initial infestation levels. However, final infestation levels showed highly significant differences among treatments (p < 0.0001), with T1, T2, T3, and sublimated oxalic acid (T4) significantly reducing mite infestation compared with the control. Sublimated oxalic acid represents the most effective and productive control method under the tested conditions. Honey production also differed significantly among treatments (p < 0.0001), with the highest yields recorded in T3 and T4. A strong negative correlation was detected between final infestation and honey production (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, treatments based on oxalic acid (particularly sublimated) and HappyVarr proved effective in reducing V. destructor infestation and improving honey production, highlighting their relevance as viable alternatives for sanitary management in beekeeping.

Background: Xerophilous scrubland is a semi-desert ecosystem characterized by a wide diversity of shrubs, which have secondary compounds with nutraceutical potential that could be used as feed for livestock, specifically by goats, since this species has developed behavioral and physiological adaptations that allow it to take advantage of the plant resources of said scrubland. Objective: To evaluate the nutraceutical potential of Havardia pallens and Vachellia rigidula, native species of the xerophilous scrubland, when incorporated as ingredients in goat diets. Methods: Integral diets for male goats were prepared, formulated with 35% inclusion of Havardia pallens, Vachellia rigidula, and Medicago sativa, the latter used as a plant control species. The content of flavonoids and total phenols was compared using colorimetric methods, and the antioxidant capacity was measured using the FRAP method. RP-HPLC-ESI-MS characterized the bioactive compounds in the different extracts. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results: The aqueous extraction of Vachellia rigidula showed the highest concentration of total phenols ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 18.22 mg GAE/g⁻¹), followed by the ethanolic extract in the same species ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 17.045 mg GAE/g⁻¹). Similarly, Vachellia rigidula presented the highest antioxidant capacity ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 144,711.53 µmol TE/g⁻¹), while Medicago sativa presented the lowest ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 11,701.92 µmol TE/g). The RP-HPLC-ESI-MS analysis revealed that Vachellia rigidula presented a higher abundance of flavones, catechins, flavonols, methoxyflavones, and tyrosols. However, Harvardia pallens presented higher levels of methoxycinnamic and hydroxycinnamic acids. One-way ANOVA results showed that diets containing 35% Vachellia rigidula and Havardia pallens significantly contrasted (p < 0.05), increased the content of secondary compounds and antioxidant capacity compared to the control species. Furthermore, including Vachellia rigidula led to a significantly higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) than diets with Havardia pallens or Medicago sativa. Conclusions: Incorporating the leguminous shrubs Vachellia rigidula and Havardia pallens into the formulation of comprehensive diets for buck goats improves the content and availability of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants. However, in vivo evaluation of these diets is important to determine their physiological and productive effects on the animals.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has increased the need for alternative antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Propolis, a resinous bee product produced by honey bees (Apis mellifera) from plant resins, is rich in bioactive compounds with recognized antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of propolis extracts obtained using ethanol, methanol, acetone, and water against clinically relevant MDR bacterial isolates. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, total flavonoid content by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, and condensed tannin content by the butanol–HCl assay. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Antibacterial activity was evaluated through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), MBC/MIC ratio, biofilm formation inhibition, and bacterial growth inhibition assays against MDR isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterobacter cloacae. Significant differences among extraction solvents were observed for all phytochemical and antioxidant parameters (p < 0.0001). Ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins, as well as the greatest antioxidant activity. MIC values ranged from 3.13 to 25 mg/mL, whereas MBC values ranged from 6.25 to >50 mg/mL depending on bacterial species and extraction solvent. E. coli and E. faecium were the most susceptible isolates, while P. aeruginosa and E. cloacae showed greater tolerance. Most MBC/MIC ratios indicated bactericidal activity. Biofilm inhibition was significantly affected by bacterial strain and extraction solvent (p < 0.001), with ethanolic extracts producing the highest inhibition percentages. These findings demonstrate that ethanolic propolis extracts exhibit strong antioxidant activity, as well as bacteriostatic, bactericidal, and biofilm-formation-inhibitory effects, supporting their potential as complementary antimicrobial agents within a One Health framework.