To investigate the genetic diversity and structure of Jatropha curcas L. oilseed plant, in this study, native populations from Chiapas, Mexico, were evaluated, using microsatellite DNA markers. A total of 93 representative samples were selected from seven sites in two regions in the state of Chiapas grouped by geographical proximity, where leaf samples were collected to isolate the genomic DNA. Individual polymerase chain reactions were carried out with ten pairs of specific oligonucleotides for the microsatellites of J. curcas, separating the products of amplification by acrylamide electrophoresis. Twenty-seven fragments were detected (77% polymorphic) with which heterozygous individuals were distinguished. The most informative microsatellite was Jcps20 (nine alleles, polymorphic index content 0.354). The average polymorphism per population was 58%. The Hardy–Weinberg tests revealed a reproductive pattern of non-random mating. The diversity descriptors and the analysis of molecular variance revealed that the populations were structured and moderately differentiated (F ST 0.087) and that this differentiation was not due to isolation by distance, as the Mantel test was not significant (P= 0.137), but rather due to allopatry. Bayesian analysis revealed that the accessions belonged to only four genetic groups and confirmed the differentiation between the regions. Because some loci were in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium, it is proposed that differentiation is due to the clonal reproduction of J. curcas practised by farmers in Chiapas, along with the anthropogenic dispersion at regional levels. The results of this study reveal that J. curcas in Chiapas has genetic diversity that is greater than that reported in other parts of the world, which represents a potential germplasm pool for the selection of genotypes.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) was a major crop for ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Defatted chia has fiber and protein contents similar to those of other oilseeds currently used in the food industry. A characterization is done of fiber- and protein-rich fractions extracted from defatted chia flour by dry fractionation. Split chia seeds were defatted with hexane, milled to produce a meal and fractionated. Milling efficiency was 968 g/kg. A 100-mesh Tyler-type screen was used to separate the high fiber-content fraction (which is caught in the screen) from the high protein-content fraction (which passes through). The fiber-rich fraction (FRF) had 295.6 g/kg crude fiber content and 564.6 g/kg total dietary fiber (TDF) content, of which 534.5 g/kg was insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and 30.1 g/kg was soluble dietary fiber (SDF). The protein-rich fraction (PRF) contained 446.2 g/kg crude protein, consisting mainly of globulins (64.86%) and glutelins (20.21%). Its in vitro digestibility was 77.53%. The PRF amino acid profile showed high levels of essential sulfur amino acids and non-essential amino acids, and deficient levels of tryptophan and lysine.

Chitin is the second most abundant organic compound in nature and represents a rich carbon and nitrogen source that is primarily transformed by bacterial communities. Bacteria capable of gradually hydrolyzing chitin into N-acetylglucosamine monomers can have applications in the transformation of residues from shrimp and other crustaceans. The objective of the present study was to isolate, characterize and identify microorganisms with high chitinolytic activity. These microorganisms were isolated and characterized based on macro- and microscopic morphological traits. Strains were selected on colloidal chitin agar medium primarily based on a hydrolysis halo larger than 2 mm and a growing phase no longer than 6 days. Secondary selection consisted of semi-quantitative evaluation of chitinolytic activity with a drop dilution assay. From the above, ten strains were selected. Then, strain-specific activity was evaluated. The B4 strain showed the highest specific activity, which was 6,677.07 U/mg protein. Molecular identification indicated that the isolated strains belong to the speciesStenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Due to possible denaturation, the protein extraction method has a major impact on its functional properties in food. Dry milling and fractionation produce less protein modification and require no effluents. The physicochemical and functional properties were evaluated for Salvia hispanica L. seed protein-rich fraction (SPRF) produced by dry fractionation. This contained (g/kg) 446.2 of protein and 345.2 of nitrogen-free extract. The maximum nitrogen solubility was 60% at alkaline pH and the minimum was 11.7% at pH 4. The emulsifying activity ranged from 50 to 56% and was independent of pH. Emulsion stability was highest (92%) at pH 8 and 10. SPRF was not a good foaming agent, with a maximum of 29% and no dependence on pH. However, foam stability was good (80%). Diluted solutions (30 and 40 g/L) exhibited high apparent viscosity (10,000 cP) with typical non-Newtonian fluid behavior. The SPRF is a potential food ingredient, particularly in foods requiring emulsion or foam stability.