Enhancing employee wellbeing and happiness management in the wine industry: unveiling the role of green human resource management.

BACKGROUND: In today's business environment, where sustainability has emerged as a strategic axis of business practices, the study of the link between human resources management and environmental management becomes increasingly necessary. In this sense, the present research focuses on analyzing the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on the Sustainable Performance (SP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the mediating effect of Employee Wellbeing (EW) and Work Engagement (WE) on this linkage. In addition, age, size and membership in a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) are introduced as control variables to increase the precision of the cause-effect relationships examined. METHODS: The study proposes a conceptual model based on previous studies, which is tested using structural equations (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 196 Spanish wineries between September 2022 and January 2023. RESULTS: The findings of the research reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between the GHRM development and the SP of Spanish wineries, as well as the partial mediation of EW and WE in this association. CONCLUSIONS: The uniqueness and significance of this study can be attributed to several crucial factors. First, it enhances the understanding and knowledge regarding the advantages associated with GHRM development. Second, no prior research has conducted a comprehensive study on GHRM as a catalyst for SP within the context of Spanish wineries. Third, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous study has analyzed the mediating role of EW and WE as mediators in the relationship between GHRM and SP of wineries.

Green human resource management and economic, social and environmental performance: Evidence from the Spanish wine industry.

The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on the economic, social, and environmental performance of Spanish wineries. Additionally, age, size, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) membership are introduced as control variables in order to increase the accuracy of the cause-effect associations examined. To reach this objective, a conceptual model has been constructed and assessed through Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using data gathered from a survey conducted between September 2022 and January 2023, involving 196 Spanish wineries. The results demonstrate the occurrence of a positive and meaningful relationship between GHRM activities and the three yield typologies assessed in the Spanish wine context. This study is novel in the academic literature on environmental and human resource management, since, to the best of our knowledge, no previous research has looked into the effect of GHRM on the sustainable performance of Spanish wineries. Thus, it is useful for both academics and wine industry professionals who are examining potential variables that can catalyze winery performance.

Antibacterial Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of Dodonaea viscosa L. Jacq. and Mammea americana L. against Staphylococci Isolated from Skin Lesions.

Background: The resistance to antibiotics shown by some dermatological pathogenic microorganisms has increased the interest of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in developing natural products that possess different biological activities, including antimicrobial effects. Methods: In the present investigation, the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa aerial part and Mammea americana leaves and seed was evaluated against resistant strains of Staphylococcus isolated from skin lesions and against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (reference strain). Column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC) were used to obtain separate fractions of the seed extract of M. americana. We also determined the antimicrobial resistance of the strains against antibiotics using the agar disc diffusion assay. In addition, phytochemical screening was performed by colorimetric standard techniques. Results: M. americana seed extract showed the highest antibacterial activity with MBC from 2.3 µg/mL to 19.5 µg/mL without differences with gentamicin (p = 0.998). The isolated strain S. epidermidis I showed the highest antimicrobial resistance against the tested antibiotics. PTLC-fractions of M. americana seed extract showed MBC from 3.2 µg/mL to 40.7 µg/mL against S. epidermidis I and S. aureus 25923 (reference), respectively, which suggests a synergistic effect of the secondary metabolites present in the crude ethanolic extract compared to its active PTLC-fractions, where only coumarins and compounds with lactone groups were detected in the phytochemical screening. Conclusion: M. americana seed extract has promising effects that should be considered in further studies as an alternative or adjuvant in treating skin infections caused by staphylococci.

Cognitive proximity for innovation: Why matters? an applied analysis.

The purpose of this research is to deepen the study of the influence of cognitive proximity has on the innovative performance of firms, as well as the mediating effect of potential and realized absorptive capacity in this relationship. For this purpose, an empirical analysis has been carried out. The primary data have been analyzed by means of PLS-SEM technique. The results show that the cognitive proximity of firms has both a direct and an indirect impact on their innovative performance, through their potential and realized absorptive capacity. We conclude that cognitive proximity matters for the innovation performance of firms, as it facilitates the understanding and establishment of positive reciprocity agreements between the companies, especially in terms of knowledge. Nevertheless, firms must develop a great capability to absorb new knowledge to exploit the advantages derived from its cognitive proximity to its stakeholders and leverage all the knowledge within their reach.

Developing Green Innovations in the Wine Industry: An Applied Analysis.

Winemaking is an ancestral activity characterized by its strong roots in the culture, heritage, and people of the producing regions. In addition to providing important health benefits, wine is a product that is widely accepted by society. However, the socioeconomic context is evolving at a rapid pace, and new requirements and needs are forcing companies to innovate in order to remain competitive in the markets, especially in terms of sustainability. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between green transformational leadership and green innovation, as well as the mediating effect of green motivation and green creativity in this relationship. Data were obtained from a sample of 196 Spanish companies belonging to the wine industry and, as a method of analysis, was used partial least squares structural equation modeling PLS-SEM. The results show a positive and significant relationship between green transformational leadership and green innovation in wine companies. Furthermore, green motivation and green creativity exert a mediating effect in this relationship. It is concluded that the managers of wine companies should encourage employee motivation and creativity, especially in ecological terms, by creating an environment conducive to the development of environmentally friendly innovations.

Cognitive social capital for knowledge absorption in specialized environments: The path to innovation.

The purpose of this research is to empirically analyze how regional specialization influence innovation in enterprises, as well as the mediation effect of absorptive capacity and cognitive social capital, as knowledge diffusion mechanisms. A questionnaire was developed and distributed, obtaining a sample of 197 energy firms in Spain. For the assessment of this data, the PLS-SEM technique, a multivariate analytical approach, has been used. The results show a positive and significant direct effect between the degree of regional specialization and the innovative performance of firms. In addition, the cognitive social capital and absorptive capacity variables show a positive and significant mediation effect in the relationship proposed, as well as between them, thus constructing a double mediation and proving to be relevant mechanisms for knowledge diffusion. Then, it is concluded that cognitive and geographical proximity matters, since enable firms to obtain resources for knowledge upgrading and innovation. Thus, it is crucial for firms to develop their capacity to absorb new external knowledge, as has been evidenced as a key factor to leverage the opportunities of the context in which firms are located. This paper has important implications for the long-standing complex debates about whether regions should develop, primarily whether they should do so through specialization or diversification.

Analysis of the structure of scientific knowledge on wine tourism: A bibliometric analysis.

This research offers a bibliometric analysis of 588 publications on wine tourism published between 1998 and 2021, highlighting the years of publication, the publication format, the fields of research, the authors, the institutions, the main journals and the country of origin of both the authors and the scientific production analyzed. To our knowledge, no bibliometric study has focused on the study of wine tourism, so this study aims to fill this research gap, serving as a reference guide for both academics and professionals in the wine sector who want to know in depth how the study of this type of tourism has been approached. The results of the research show that the academic study of wine tourism dates back to the end of the 1990s, with the New World countries standing out in its study, especially Australia as the country with the highest scientific production and the largest number of academics focused on the study of this type of tourism. The study allows us to highlight the value of academic articles as the main means of disseminating research results, these being focused on tourism, business, economic and cross-cutting research. The results reveal relevant conclusions for academics, winemakers and tourism managers on the knowledge structure of wine tourism activity.

Amoebicidal and trichomonicidal capacity of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with extracts of the plants Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae) / Capacidad amebicida y tricomonicida de nanopartículas poliméricas cargadas con extractos de las plantas Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) y Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae)

Abstract Introduction: Pathogenic protozoans, like Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis, represent a major health problem in tropical countries; and polymeric nanoparticles could be used to apply plant extracts against those parasites. Objective: To test Curcuma longa ethanolic extract and Berberis vulgaris methanolic extracts, and their main constituents, against two species of protozoans. Methods: We tested the extracts, as well as their main constituents, curcumin (Cur) and berberine (Ber), both non-encapsulated and encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), in vitro. We also determined nanoparticle characteristics by photon correlation spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and hemolytic capacity by hemolysis in healthy erythrocytes. Results: C. longa consisted mainly of tannins, phenols, and flavonoids; and B. vulgaris in alkaloids. Encapsulated particles were more effective (P < 0.001); however, curcumin and berberine nanoparticles were the most effective treatments. CurNPs had IC50 values (µg/mL) of 9.48 and 4.25, against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis, respectively, and BerNPs 0.24 and 0.71. The particle size and encapsulation percentage for CurNPs and BerNPs were 66.5 and 73.4 nm, and 83.59 and 76.48 %, respectively. The NPs were spherical and significantly reduced hemolysis when compared to non-encapsulated extracts. Conclusions: NPs represent a useful and novel bioactive compound delivery system for therapy in diseases caused by protozoans.

Resumen Introducción: Los protozoos patógenos, como Entamoeba histolytica y Trichomonas vaginalis, representan un importante problema de salud en los países tropicales; y se podrían usar nanopartículas poliméricas para aplicar extractos de plantas contra esos parásitos. Objetivo: Probar los extractos etanólicos de Curcuma longa y Berberis vulgaris, y sus principales constituyentes, contra dos especies de protozoos. Métodos: Probamos los extractos, así como sus principales constituyentes, curcumina (Cur) y berberina (Ber), tanto no encapsulados como encapsulados en nanopartículas poliméricas (NPs), in vitro. También determinamos las características de las nanopartículas por espectroscopía de correlación de fotones y microscopía electrónica de barrido, y la capacidad hemolítica por hemólisis en eritrocitos sanos. Resultados: C. longa tenía principalmente: taninos, fenoles y flavonoides; y B. vulgaris, alcaloides. Las partículas encapsuladas fueron más efectivas (P < 0.001); sin embargo, las nanopartículas de curcumina y berberina fueron los tratamientos más efectivos. CurNPs tenía valores IC50 (µg/mL) de 9.48 y 4.25, contra E. histolytica y T. vaginalis, respectivamente, y BerNPs 0.24 y 0.71. El tamaño de partícula y el porcentaje de encapsulación para CurNPs y BerNPs fueron: 66.5 y 73.4 nm, y 83.59 y 76.48 %, respectivamente. Los NP son esféricos y redujeron significativamente la hemólisis en comparación con los extractos no encapsulados. Conclusiones: Las NP representan un sistema de administración de compuestos bioactivos útil y novedoso para la terapia enfermedades causadas por protozoos.

Preliminary Study of the Antimicrobial, Anticoagulant, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Five Selected Plants with Therapeutic Application in Dentistry.

The usefulness of traditional plants in Mexico to treat human ailments has been known since ancient times. This work evaluated the antimicrobial, anticoagulant, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory potential of ethanolic extracts of Aloe vera, Equisetum arvense, Mimosa tenuiflora, Lippia graveolens, and Syzygium aromaticum. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbinus; a significant inhibitory effect of the L. graveolens extract on both bacteria was observed at concentration levels of 250 µg/mL and greater. The anticoagulant activity was evaluated in terms of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), A. vera and M. tenuiflora extracts showed no significant difference (p ˂ 0.05) in PT compared with the control, and for APTT the extracts of A. vera, L. graveolens, and S. aromaticum decreased the APTT significantly (p ˂ 0.05) compared with the control. The antioxidant potential by DPPH assay indicated that the E. arvense extract behaved statistically the same as the control. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated in HGF-1 cells using the fluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay technique, and none of the extracts was toxic at 125 and 250 µg/mL concentrations. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using ELISA, where the A. vera extract showed the best anti-inflammatory capacity. Further research on the search for bioactive metabolites and elucidation of action mechanisms of the most promising extracts will be carried out.

In-Vitro Effect of Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Its Main Component, Quercetin against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections represent one of the main public health problems in humans according to the WHO. Therefore, the need has arisen to find new treatments that can be used as an alternative cure to parasitosis. We aimed to investigate the in-vitro effects of the methanolic extract of Kalanchoe daigremontiana as well as its main component, quercetin against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis. METHODS: For this purpose, the in-vitro activity of the methanol extract of K. daigremontiana also its main component, quercetin, against trophozoites of E. histolytica and T. vaginalis was evaluated, using the microassay technique. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was determined. Finally, the cytotoxic and cytoprotective capacity was determined using the hemolysis technique. RESULTS: The IC50 indicated that quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the growth rate of the trophozoite stage of E. histolytica and T. vaginalis in comparison to the methanolic extract of K. daigremontiana (KalL). Also, quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) was a better antioxidant as compared with the positive control. In the evaluation of cytotoxicity effects, it could be observed that KalL as compared with quercetin exhibited more cytotoxicity against human erythrocytes. Quercetin significantly (P < 0.001) exhibited better cytoprotective activity compared to KalL. CONCLUSION: Both K. daigremontiana methanolic extract and quercetin alone demonstrated high antiparasitic activity against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis. However, the in-vivo efficacy of K. daigremontiana and quercetin also requires to be evaluated using an animal model.

Rheological and Nutritional Characterization of Sweet Corn By-Product (Cob) to Develop a Functional Ingredient Applied in Dressings.

In this study, a flour from corn cob (central core of the maize ear, stage R4) was obtained through three treatments. The three flours obtained were characterized by bromatological analysis, yield, and granulometry. Additional dressing-type oil in water (O/W) emulsions were developed, varying the formulation by incorporating distinct amounts of corn cob flour. The formulations' stability was evaluated over a period of 21 days, determining the particle size, creaming index, coalescence rate, consistency coefficient (k), and flow behavior indices (n). Results have shown significant differences in protein, fat, and carbohydrate content in the flour, depending on the cooking treatment. A good percentage of grinding yield was obtained (98%), in addition to several fractions by granulometry (60, 120, 250 MESH), showing differences in their nutritional content. Finally, the particle size of O/W emulsions developed varied among formulations. The combination of 0.6% of xanthan gum (XG) and corn cob flour showed major stability in average droplet size. No significant differences were observed in the coalescence rate values for the three formulations. Still, significant differences in the creaming index were evidenced in those formulations without XG or corn cob flour. The results regarding the consistency coefficient (k) and flow behavior indices (n) suggest a possible synergy between XG and flour of corn cob for enhancing the viscosity and pseudoplasticity of dressings in a concentration-dependent manner.

Inclusion Complexes of Concentrated Orange Oils and ß-Cyclodextrin: Physicochemical and Biological Characterizations.

Concentrated orange oils (5x, 10x, 20x) are ingredients used in different industries as components of flavors and aromas due to their great organoleptic qualities. This research focuses on the search for alternative uses for their application through encapsulation in inclusion complexes with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD). Inclusion complexes of concentrated orange oils (COEO) and ß-CD were developed by the co-precipitated method in ratios of 4:96, 12:88, and 16:84 (w/w, COEO: ß-CD). The best powder recovery was in the ratio 16:84 for the three oils, with values between 82% and 84.8%. The 20x oil in relation 12:88 showed the highest entrapment efficiency (89.5%) with 102.3 mg/g of ß-CD. The FT-IR analysis may suggest an interaction between the oil and the ß-CD. The best antioxidant activity was observed in the ratio 12:88 for the three oils. The antifungal activity was determined for all the inclusion complexes, and the 10x fraction showed the highest inhibition at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in ratios 12:88 and 16:84. Antibacterial activity was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and was found at a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL in ratios 12:88 and 16:84 for 5x and 20x oils.

Preparation of polymer nanoparticles loaded with Syzygium aromaticum essential oil: an oral potential application / Preparación de nanoparticulas polimericas cargadas con aceite esencial de Syzygium aromaticum: una potencial aplicación oral

Due to the biological activities of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil, its incorporation in methacrylate polymeric (Eudragit E100) nanoparticles (NP), physical characterization, and antimicrobial essays were evaluated. The clove bears great potential for applications in dentistry. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and oil loaded NP using the nanoprecipitation method. Particle size and polydispersity index were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy, and physical morphology by electron microscopy. Loading capacity and in vitro eugenol release were evaluated by gas mass chromatography, and the antimicrobial activity of oil loaded-NP was calculated against Streptococcus mutans. Different chemical ingredients were characterized, and eugenol was the principal compound with 51.55%. Polymer content was directly related to NP homogenous size, which was around 150 nm with spherical morphology. A 73.2% loading capacity of eugenol was obtained. Oil loaded NP presented a fickian-type release mechanism of eugenol. Antimicrobial activity to 300 µg/mL was obtained after 24 h.

Debido a las actividades biológicas del aceite esencial de Syzygium aromaticum, se evaluó su incorporación en nanopartículas (NP) de metacrilato polimérico (Eudragit E100), su caracterización y ensayos antimicrobianos. El clavo tiene un gran potencial para aplicaciones en odontología. El aceite se obtuvo por hidrodestilación y las NP cargado de aceite utilizando el método de nanoprecipitación. El tamaño de partícula y el índice de polidispersidad se determinaron mediante espectroscopia de correlación fotónica y su morfología por microscopía electrónica. La capacidad de carga y la liberación de eugenol in vitro se evaluaron mediante cromatografía de gases en masa, y la actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó contra Streptococcus mutans. Se caracterizaron diferentes ingredientes químicos, siendo el eugenol el principal compuesto con 51.55%. El contenido de polímero se relacionó directamente con el tamaño homogéneo de NP, que fue de alrededor de 150 nm con morfología esférica. Se obtuvo un 73,2% de capacidad de carga de eugenol. El aceite cargado en NP presentó un mecanismo de liberación de eugenol de tipo fickiano. La actividad antimicrobiana a 300 µg/mL se obtuvo después de 24 h.

In Vitro Study of Antiamoebic Activity of Methanol Extracts of Argemone mexicana on Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS.

Infections caused by parasites in humans represent one of the main public health concerns. Amoebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is considered endemic in Mexico, where Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) has been used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal parasitic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential biological activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica. For this purpose, a methanolic extract was prepared from A. mexicana leaves, and a differential fractionation was carried out with solvents of different polarities. The inhibitory capacities of the extract and its fractions were evaluated in vitro using HM1-IMSS, a strain of Entamoeba histolytica. A. mexicana extract was found to have a growth-inhibiting activity for E. histolytica, showing IC50 = 78.39 µg/mL. The extract was characterized phytochemically, and the methanolic extract fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Berberine and jatrorrhizine were present in the active fractions, and these compounds may be responsible for the antiparasitic activity. The identification of amoebicidal activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica gives support to the traditional use. Further studies with berberine and jatrorrhizine will be carried out to understand the mechanism involved.