El uso de residuales de la industria como sustrato es tendencia a nivel mundial, el lactosuero es uno de ellos. El objetivo de la investigación fue encontrar la combinación de temperatura y pH que maximicen la productividad de ácido láctico con el uso de lactosuero y Lactobacillus casei. Se evaluaron las variables de temperatura en los valores de (29, 31.1, 37, 42.7 y 45 °C) y pH (4.8, 5, 5.5, 6 y 6.2) para encontrar parámetros óptimos del bioproceso que maximicen la productividad volumétrica de ácido láctico mediante el uso del Diseño Central Compuesto utilizando el programa Design Expert 11.0. Se realizaron trece corridas. Se verificó la validez del modelo cuadrático mediante 3 repeticiones con los parámetros óptimos sugeridos por el programa y se determinó que las condiciones de maximización de la productividad volumétrica son 40.2 °C de temperatura y 5.6 de pH, alcanzando valores de 1.2 gl-1h-1 y se confirmó que no existe diferencia significativa (p ≤ 0.05) con los valores brindados por el modelo. Concluyendo que los valores óptimos de temperatura y pH encontrados fueron cercanos a los reportados por otros autores y se demostró que el lactosuero tiene un gran potencial para ser utilizado como sustrato.

Con el objetivo de evaluar la agrobiodiversidad existente en tres fincas en la parroquia de Peñaherra, Cotacachi, se realizó un inventario de las especies y variedades vegetales que tienen algún uso conocido dentro del agroecosistema; de esa forma se identificaron 97 especies. La riqueza de especies por finca fue de 46, 30 y 65, mientras que el índice de diversidad de Margalef arrojó que la finca 3 tiene una diversidad superior a 5, lo que se considera alta, mientras que la finca 2 cuenta con una diversidad media. En este estudio se empleó por primera vez en Ecuador el índice de Agrobiodiversidad (IDA), para lo cual la diversidad de la finca fue clasificada en cuatro grupos (alimentación humana, alimentación animal, alimentación del suelo y diversidad complementaria) y se les asignó un valor teniendo en cuenta la importancia dentro del ecosistema, al realizar el cálculo, se obtuvo que la finca 3 es la de mayor IDA, aunque no llega a los valores adecuados descritos en la literatura; es por ello que los agricultores deben tomar en cuenta los subíndices calculados para que incluyan en su finca plantas que eleven los subíndices deficientes, solo así se podrá llegar a un agroecosistema sostenible.

Agroecosystems comprise various components, including weeds, insects, and microorganisms, which interact with one another and play distinct roles in achieving sustainable agriculture. This balance is essential for both agricultural productivity and environmental preservation. This study explores the relationship between diversity and ecological functions of weed species and the entomofauna present in a pasture under rotational grazing and organic management in Otavalo, Ecuador. Sampling was conducted over an area of 2.5 hectares. We identified and counted weeds using 65 quadrats, each measuring 4 m². To capture insects, we employed chromatic traps, pitfall traps, and entomological nets. The results indicated a medium level of biodiversity, as shown by the Margalef index (4.85) and the Shannon–Wiener index (2.23), which also suggested a medium to dispersed evenness (Pielou_J = 0.23). Additionally, the ecosystem exhibited low species dominance, indicated by the Simpson index (D = 0.20). In total, we recorded 55 species belonging to 24 different botanical families. The most abundant families were Fabaceae (39%), Poaceae (21%), and Plantaginaceae (14.6%). For the entomofauna, a rich community was identified, comprising twelve orders and fifty families, with the order Diptera being predominant. Crucially, these findings demonstrate that agroecological practices foster a significant presence and diversity of both weed plants and associated insects, contributing to the agroecosystem’s resilience. We emphasize the role of diverse weed flora as refuges and resource providers for beneficial insects, such as those from the highly abundant Tachinidae family (Diptera), which are key natural regulators. This research highlights the importance of integrating weed conservation into pasture management for enhancing biodiversity, natural pest regulation, and promoting sustainable local transformation in highland agricultural landscapes.

La disminución de la productividad de los sistemas agrícolas, ha motivado a los agricultores a complementarlos, introduciendo especies maderables, que proveen de bienes y servicios adicionales. La presente investigación evaluó el comportamiento de Ochroma pyramidale en cuatro sistemas agroforestales - SAF. El estudio se realizó en el sector Conrralá, parroquia Peñaherrera, Cotacachi, Imbabura. Se utilizaron 96 individuos distribuidos en linderos en asocio con diferentes cultivos, a un distanciamiento de 7 m. Se realizaron mediciones mensuales de las variables: sobrevivencia, diámetro basal, altura, diámetro de copa y estado sanitario. Para la comparación entre los sistemas se usó la prueba de Kruskal Wallis. El diámetro basal de la especie presentó valores superiores en el SAF1 desde el primer mes, siendo las diferencias con el resto de sistemas evaluados estadísticamente significativas. La variable altura no presentó diferencias significativas en los cuatro sistemas hasta el segundo mes, momento en el que se registra un rezago significativo de la altura en el SAF4. A partir del mes 10, la variable muestra mayores incrementos en el SAF1. No se registraron diferencias significativas de la variable diámetro de copa hasta el segundo mes del ensayo, cuando los individuos de SAF4 empezaron a relegarse de manera significativa frente al resto de sistemas analizados. El SAF1 mostró valores promedio mayores en todas las variables analizadas; no obstante, presentó la menor sobrevivencia de los cuatro sistemas analizados, el SAF2 mostró mortalidad en el primer mes, sin existir registro de perdida de individuos hasta el final del ensayo.

Purpose: This paper aims to examine how education for sustainable development (ESD) can be effectively implemented within higher education institutions through authentic waste valorisation research projects, even under the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study demonstrates how final-degree projects (FDPs) focused on circular economy principles can develop key sustainability competencies in agro-industrial engineering students while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 12. We analyse how integrating problem-based learning, project-based learning, learning-by-doing and research-based learning approaches creates synergistic effects for competency development. Design/methodology/approach: A multiple-case study methodology was used to analyse three FDPs focused on agro-industrial waste valorisation (coffee residues, goat milk whey and cocoa pod husks) conducted between March 2020 and March 2022 at a public university in Ecuador. Quantitative data from 229 graduates across seven engineering programmes were integrated with qualitative analyses of pedagogical strategies and competency development indicators. Findings: Despite severe pandemic restrictions, including laboratory closures and mandatory confinement, 229 students completed their research theses during the study period. The cohort achieved a 13.1% publication rate (30 publications from 229 theses), with 46% of journal articles published in Q1- and Q2-ranked journals. The three detailed case studies resulted in publications in high-impact journals, demonstrating novel approaches to waste valorisation. Students developed measurable sustainability competencies, including systems thinking, anticipatory competence, normative competence, strategic competence and interpersonal competence. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to a single institution in Ecuador and focuses specifically on agro-industrial engineering programmes within the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Engineering. The pandemic context, while providing unique research opportunities, also constrained specific methodological approaches. However, the methodology demonstrates transferability to other disciplines and institutional contexts where waste valorisation and circular economy concepts are relevant to local sustainability challenges. Because the case studies were selected for success, conclusions about competency development should be interpreted as demonstrating what the model can achieve under favourable conditions rather than as representative of all FDP outcomes. Practical implications: The findings provide a replicable model for integrating ESD into higher education curricula through authentic research projects addressing real sustainability challenges. Social implications: By training future researchers and pre-professionals in waste valorisation and circular economy principles, this educational approach helps build local capacity for sustainable development in developing countries. Originality/value: This paper provides novel empirical evidence on how ESD can be effectively implemented through waste-valorisation research projects in Latin American universities. The study’s principal originality lies in its artefact-based approach to competency evidencing: rather than relying solely on self-report instruments, competency claims are triangulated with observable indicators drawn from thesis documents, logbooks and published articles, thereby providing a replicable assessment methodology for ESD in research-intensive programmes.

The following are three successful case studies that affected humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key to their success was their swift adaptability to the new confinement regulations and the unyielding determination of those carrying out their plans. Various extraordinary and prompt efforts were required to make the essential logistical preparations and practice for distance learning a reality. The research activities were also reorganized so the thesis students might carry out a few simple experiments at home under the strict supervision of their advisers and supervisors. The findings revealed that the students who participated in these projects applied all the abilities they had gained before the epidemic. In addition, they included crucial knowledge about the project, problem-based, and research-based learning. Furthermore, because they were the primary implementers of the trials, they learned by planning and performing experiments. The culmination of these efforts was displayed in three scientific publications that were published in index journals with a high level of impact. This latter factor is essential for the prestige and visibility of the university, in addition to the acquisition of financing and grants for scientific research.