Search Results (52)

Pulque is a traditional Mexican beverage produced through the fermentation of agave sap (aguamiel). Its primary sensory properties are attributed to the fermentative activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Zymomonas mobilis. However, the overproliferation of these microorganisms results in an extremely short shelf life, which hinders its commercialization. Tomatillo accrescent calyx extract (TACE) shows potential as a food preservative due to its high physalin content. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding microencapsulated TACE on the shelf life and organoleptic properties of pulque. The extract demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against L. mesenteroides, Z. mobilis, and S. cerevisiae, successfully delaying further fermentation. Additionally, the addition of TACE prevented an excessive increase in acidity, maintaining values suitable for consumption for up to 15 days, in accordance with regulatory standards, while the viscosity and alcohol content were not negatively affected. These findings suggest that TACE has significant potential for preserving both the microbiological and sensory quality of pulque. Full article

Inking disorder is a peach quality defect in which fruits manifest a dark epidermis discoloration; this disorder reduces the commercial value of peach fruits. In red pigmented peach fruit, it has been proposed that inking is associated with mechanical damage and reactions involving metal ions (Fe, Cu, and Zn) and anthocyanins, but in yellow peach cultivars inking mechanism is unknown. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of mechanical damage and contamination with Fe metal ions in the development of inking disorder in three yellow peach cultivars. The present study revealed that Fe₂(SO₄)₃ application increased total phenolic content and chlorogenic acid levels in all cultivars but did not induce inking symptoms in the absence of mechanical damage. In contrast, brushing treatments triggered inking development in ‘Colegio’ and ‘MG8’, allowing differentiation of cultivar susceptibility, whereas ‘229’ showed complete resistance. Mechanical damage also significantly increased phenolic compounds, as well as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, with higher levels consistently observed in susceptible cultivars. Notably, the severity of inking increased when mechanical damage was combined with Fe(III) application. These results indicate that inking development requires both phenolic accumulation and their enzymatic oxidation. Fe(III) ions act as an enhancing factor by stimulating phenolic biosynthesis, thereby intensifying discoloration. The resistance observed in cv. ‘229’ is associated with lower phenolic synthesis and oxidative activity. This study provides new insights into the physiological mechanisms of inking in yellow peaches and offers practical implications for postharvest management and cultivar selection. Full article

Acetaminophen, more commonly known as paracetamol (APAP), is one of the most widely used analgesics and antipyretic drugs worldwide. Its presence in the environment poses a risk to the organisms it comes into contact with, which is why it has been classified as an emerging contaminant. Given its adverse effects and continuous discharge into water bodies, it is necessary to study efficient, environmentally sustainable processes for its complete removal. Denitrification is a biological process that has been studied for the biodegradation of recalcitrant compounds and certain pharmaceuticals such as 17β-estradiol and ampicillin, transforming them into harmless products such as N₂ and HCO₃⁻. In the present study, the biodegradation of 6 mg L⁻¹ of APAP-C was evaluated through a denitrifying process. Batch experiments were conducted, achieving acetaminophen (APAP) removal efficiencies (E_APAP-C) of 83.3 ± 0.86% and nitrate removal efficiencies (E_N-NO3⁻) of 100%. The substrates were predominantly converted into HCO₃⁻ and N₂, with yields greater than 0.9, while intermediates such as NO₂⁻ were observed only transiently during the reaction. At the end of the experimental period, no secondary metabolites were detected, indicating that intermediates did not accumulate to quantifiable levels. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage for establishing lifelong dietary habits and preventing non-communicable diseases through adequate intake of bioactive compounds. Numerous studies have thoroughly examined the antioxidant profile of traditional diets such as the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, current research provides limited insights into the antioxidant properties of foods typically consumed by Mexican adolescents. Objective: So, this study aimed to quantify the total phenolic compound (TPC) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) of frequently consumed foods and to estimate dietary intake in Mexican adolescents. Methodology: The selected food groups were identified based on their frequency of consumption by 15% or more of the adolescent population, considering those that have demonstrated a sufficient quantity of antioxidants. It was analyzed TPC and ABTS•⁺ and DPPH• to determine the antiradical activity of the analyzed samples. Results: The estimated daily intake of TPC was 1484.01 mg GAE/person, while AC intake was 345.67 mg AAE/person (ABTS•⁺) and 5399.14 µmol TE/person (DPPH•). Cereals and fruits were the major contributors to total antioxidant intake, while the contribution of leafy vegetables and nuts was relatively low. The statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TPC and AC. The results of the study indicate the antioxidant potential of the adolescent diet. Conclusions: Despite certain limitations, the values obtained from the study are comparable to those of other studies that employed similar methodologies. Consequently, promoting the early consumption of fresh plant-based foods rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can enhance the dietary profile and contribute to adolescents’ long-term health, constitutes a significant area of research. Full article

This study evaluates the use of seawater and continental water in tailings thickening and copper flotation at laboratory scale, focusing on water reuse in mining operations in arid regions. The tailings had a mean particle size of 10 µm, with 75% < 50 µm, and a specific weight of 2.64 g/cm³. Seawater contained significantly higher ion concentrations Na⁺ 10,741 ppm, Mg²⁺ 1245 ppm, and Ca²⁺ 556 ppm compared with continental water (187, 32, and 127 ppm, respectively), which negatively affected polymer performance. Sedimentation tests showed that the anionic polymer (A3) increased settling rates by 33 times with continental water at 40 g/t, while with seawater the increase was 31 times at 60 g/t. In column thickener tests, discharge solids reached 65% with continental water and 62% with seawater, representing an annual reduction of ~17,000 m³ of recovered water when seawater is used. Consistency tests indicated that achieving slump <20% required 75% solids with continental water and 77.5% with seawater. With dewatering polymers, doses of 200 g/t achieved ~70% solids and slump values near 50%, surpassing column thickener performance. Primary flotation results showed that recirculated and filtered seawater improved copper recovery by 3–5% compared with fresh seawater, due to partial removal of interfering ions. In contrast, recirculated and filtered continental water reduced recovery by 2–4%, likely because of residual polymer effects on mineral surfaces. These findings highlight the importance of polymer selection and dosage optimization to ensure efficient water recovery and sustainable flotation performance under varying water chemistries. Full article

In the mining industry, key unit operations such as grinding, flotation, thickening, and tailings transport are negatively affected by the presence of clay minerals, which impart complex rheological behaviors to mineral suspensions by increasing their rheological properties. This deterioration arises from specific physicochemical characteristics of clay minerals such as fine particle size, anisotropic character, laminar morphology, and swelling capacity. This work reviews the effects of various rheology-modifying reagents on clay suspensions including kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite. The reviewed reagents include inorganic salts, pH modifiers, polymers, surfactants, and nanoparticles. Their mechanisms of interaction with solid particles are analyzed, highlighting their influence on the degree of dispersion or aggregation. Furthermore, this review proposes research opportunities focused on the formulation of hybrid reagents, modified biopolymers, and the development of reagents effective under adverse conditions such as high salinity or elevated temperatures. This review provides a comprehensive basis for optimizing the use of rheological additives through more efficient and sustainable strategies for managing clay-rich suspensions in the mining industry. Full article

The treatment and safe disposal of mining tailings represent one of the main technical and environmental challenges in the contemporary mining industry. The present study aims to evaluate, at laboratory scale, three dewatering techniques applied to phosphate tailings: column thickener, hyperbaric filtration (horizontal filter press), and the direct application of a dewatering polymer. Based on the results obtained and the comparative analysis of Opex and Capex, the application of the dewatering polymer was selected for industrial-scale validation. The tailings sample presented an initial solids concentration of approximately 8.6% with very fine particle size, less than 70 microns. Under the best operating conditions for the aforementioned dewatering techniques, solids percentages by mass were obtained around ≈52% (thickening), ≈75% (filtration), and ≈40% (dewatering polymer). In all techniques, it was possible to obtain turbidity levels in the recovered water below 100 NTU, and a slight increase in the hardness of the overflows and filtrates was observed. According to the yield stress results, it was evident that the tailings were beginning to present characteristics of high-density slurry, paste, and cake with values of 40%, 48%, and 58% solids by mass, respectively. Full article

Biochar is an amendment that can enhance both soil fertility and sequester carbon. However, its historical applications continue to be underexplored. In this overview, we investigate the formiguer method of burning woody biomass to create agricultural biochar for use as fertilizer in Catalonia, Spain, within the context of historical biochar use. A literature review targeted searches of scholarly databases to compare the formiguer method to Amazonian terra preta and other traditional biochar use. We identified sources covering biochar properties, soil impacts, and historical agricultural practices within the Iberian Peninsula and briefly described the main methods or treatments used during this process. Past research demonstrates that the formiguer method, which involves pyrolytic combustion of biomass within soil mounds, improves microbial activity, increases soil phosphorus and potassium availability from soil structure, and leads to long-term carbon stabilization, even though it can result in short-term decreases in soil organic carbon and nitrogen losses. Despite being abandoned in Europe with the rise of chemical fertilizers, the use of formiguers exemplifies a decentralized approach to nutrient and agroecosystem management. The literature highlights the relevance that these traditional biochar practices can have in informing modern soil management and sustainable agricultural strategies. Understanding the formiguer can offer critical insights to optimize contemporary biochar applications and historical techniques into future sustainability frameworks. Full article

Due to their outstanding nutritional profile, the consumption of seeds has been an essential source of nutrients. These foods have a unique composition, containing carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds in the same food matrix. Furthermore, the nutritional profile can naturally be maximized and optimized through the germination process through two key methods: degradation of macromolecules and biosynthesis of metabolites, which favors an increase in the concentration of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds. The extraction of these compounds has been studied in various plant fractions, including roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds, using different extraction techniques. Among these, ultrasound-assisted extraction has gained popularity due to its efficiency and yield, considering specific parameters to maximize the bioactive yield. These advances have allowed us to evaluate the potential of the extracted compounds as preventive agents in cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, showing promising results in preventive medicine. Recent studies have shown that cereals possess anti-lipid, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties, mainly due to their antioxidant capacity. This work describes the effects of germination on the nutritional profile, presents benefits to human health through seed consumption, and refers to a collection of strategies to improve the extraction process. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate how high-energy milling affects the structural, thermal, and morphological properties of brewer’s spent grain fibers over time. The researchers determined the chemical composition of the samples using TAPPI techniques, particle size analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The samples displayed distinct morphologies and particle sizes depending on the treatment duration. The sample treated for 120 min (T120) showed the smallest particle size (19.4 µm). FTIR spectra revealed that the mechanical treatment strongly disrupted the structure of hemicellulose. The thermal stability of the samples decreased because of the applied treatment. Mechanical milling also fully eliminated the crystalline structure of cellulose in the samples. These findings indicate that high-energy milling holds strong potential as a pre-treatment method for the valorization of lignocellulosic residues. Full article

A challenge for the oil refinement industry is the production of high-octane gasoline with a low benzene content. This work reports the calculation of the atmospheric benzene emissions generated from gasoline storage, transfer, and transport operations in Mexico, estimating 1.48 KBPD of environmental release. The aim was to estimate the minimum benzene emissions through operative improvements in refineries, initially by performing simulations of the Naphtha Catalytic Reforming (NCR) process using ASPEN HYSYS^® ver. 8.8 (34.0.08909) and then by optimizing the operative conditions to improve the reformate quality while reducing the benzene content. The operative ranges comprised hydrogen/hydrocarbon (H₂/HC) feedstock molar ratios from 2.0 to 6.0 and reaction temperatures from 450 to 525 °C, which were used as independent variables to assess the benzene content and the Research Octane Number (RON) of the produced gasoline. The Surface Response Method (SRM) and multi-objective optimization analysis were applied. The improved operative conditions were 491 °C and a H₂/HC ratio of 2.0, which allowed us to obtain a RON value of 89.87, an aromatics value of 37.39% (v/v), and a benzene value of 1.48% (v/v), with an estimated 16.44% drop in atmospheric benzene emissions, meaning a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, thus favorably impacting public health by improving refinery operations. The simulation outcomes were compared with industrial-scale data and the experimental results, with significant similitudes being observed. Full article

The growing demand for chicken meat products has increased the amount of wastewater associated with their production; their treatment has increased the generation of sludge and oils trapped in the trap process treatment. This work presents a process for the valorization of this residual oil recovered through the production of biodiesel. An oil degumming process was applied, and the quality of the treated oil was evaluated. This was transesterified with alkaline conditions and a homogeneous catalyst (KOH); a 3^k experimental design was applied with two factors: the temperature at 50, 60, and 70 °C and the molar ratios of 5, 6, and 7 moles of methanol per mole of recovered chicken oil. The biodiesel quality parameters were evaluated based on the ASTM standard. The process achieved a yield of 90.2%. The biodiesel obtained met all the quality parameters; however, only the process conditions with a molar ratio of 6:1 and a temperature of 60 °C achieved a kinematic viscosity of 5.64 ± 0.15 mm² s⁻¹, meeting the limits of 1.9–6.0 mm² s⁻¹ of the ASTM regulation. The fluidity of this biodiesel in mixtures of 25, 50, and 75% v with petroleum diesel was also evaluated, and a better adjustment of the Bingham mixing rule model and rheological analysis revealed that the mixtures did not lose their Newtonian behavior. This allows for the application of this biodiesel in internal combustion engines, achieving the valorization of residual oil. Full article

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Despite advances in conventional treatments, there remains a significant need for more effective and natural alternatives to control hypertension. In this context, sprouted barley extracts have emerged as a potential therapeutic option. This study presents the evaluation of the bioactive properties of extracts from two varieties of barley germinated for different periods (3, 5, and 7 days), focusing on their potential to regulate blood pressure mechanisms. Objectives/Methods: The main objective was to assess the effects of these extracts on blood pressure regulation in N(ω)-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Renal (creatinine, urea, uric acid, and total protein) and endothelial (NOx levels) function, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I and II activity, and histopathological effects on heart and kidney tissues were evaluated. Results: In particular, Esmeralda barley extract demonstrated 83% inhibition of ACE activity in vitro. Furthermore, the combined administration of sprouted barley extract (SBE) and captopril significantly reduced blood pressure and ACE I and II activity by 22%, 81%, and 76%, respectively, after 3, 5, and 7 days of germination. The treatment also led to reductions in protein, creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels by 3%, 38%, 42%, and 48%, respectively, along with a 66% increase in plasma NO concentrations. Conclusions: This study highlights the bioactive properties of barley extracts with different germination times, emphasizing their potential health benefits as a more effective alternative to conventional antihypertensive therapies. Full article

Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using the green chemistry technique; ferric chloride was used as a precursor agent and Moringa oleifera extract was used as a stabilizer agent. A black powder, characteristic of magnetite, was obtained. X-ray diffraction was performed on the synthesis product and identified as magnetite (Fe₃O₄). Scanning electron microscopy characterization shows that nanoparticles have a spherical morphology, with sizes ranging from 15 nm to 35 nm. The synthesis of carbon nanotubes was carried out by the pyrolytic chemical deposition technique, from which multiwalled carbon nanotubes were obtained with diameters of 15–35 nm and of varied length. The decoration was carried out using the wet and sonification technique, where a non-homogeneous coating was obtained around the nanotubes. The thermal decomposition for both decorated and undecorated nanotubes presents two mass losses but with different slopes, where the activation energy for the decorated carbon nanotubes was 79.54 kJ/mol, which shows that the decoration gives more stability to the nanotubes since the activation energy of the undecorated nanotubes is 25.74 kJ/mol. Full article